If I haven’t mentioned this before, I am a huge soup fan. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or 90 degrees outside, I’m not one to turn down a delicious bowl of soup. Especially If I’m in the mood for comfort food with minimum effort, soup it is! A fan favorite of my family is my homemade Cheddar Broccoli Soup. This one-pot simple and easy dish is ready in a jiffy and perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Not to mention that it’s beyond amazing! Like seriously, this soup barely lasts 30 minutes in my household before someone is scrapping the bottom of the pot.
The main star of this recipe is obviously broccoli and cheddar cheese. I prefer fresh broccoli but in a pinch, I also have used frozen broccoli. Before cooking you want to chop your broccoli into bite-size pieces. I tend to use both florets and small pieces of the stalk but use the parts of the broccoli that you feel most comfortable with. The broccoli pieces create a chunky soup but if you prefer your soup a bit creamier, mash the contents of the soup once cooked or use a handheld food mixer.
In a large pot melt butter, then saute vegetables over medium heat. Slowly add flour to the vegetables and stir. At this point, the pot may look a bit of a mess but no worries, everything will come together in the end. Gradually add liquid ingredients to the pot, then add the remaining vegetables and spices. Once vegetables are tender, stir in cheddar cheese.
Pro tip: reduce heat to low before adding cheddar cheese. Adding cheese while the soup is still cooking over high heats creates a grainy textured soup.
Serve with fresh-baked ciabatta rolls and a side salad. This creamy soup paired nicely with a full-bodied wine. I have paired this wine with an oaked Chardonnay and loved it!
Ingredients
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Main Ingredients
- Seasonings
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat.
- Add onions, celery, garlic, and onions to the butter. Sautee for 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
- Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir.
- Stir in chicken broth and half-and-half.
- Add carrots, broccoli, and seasonings to the pot. Stir and let cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Broccoli should be tender once done.
- Turn heat down to low setting and stir in cheddar cheese.
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Serve hot and enjoy.
