Broccoli Cheddar Cream Soup (Printable)

Tender broccoli florets simmered in a velvety blend of sharp cheddar and cream for the ultimate comfort bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb broccoli, cut into florets
02 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth
08 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
09 - ½ cup heavy cream

→ Pantry

10 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour
11 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp salt
13 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

# How to Make It:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
02 - Add grated carrot and broccoli florets to the pot. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes to begin softening the vegetables.
03 - Sprinkle flour evenly over the vegetables, stirring constantly to coat everything. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in milk and vegetable broth, ensuring no lumps form. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until broccoli is completely tender.
05 - Use immersion blender to partially blend soup for chunky texture or fully blend for smooth consistency, depending on preference.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and grated cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until cheese is completely melted and soup is velvety smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with additional cheddar cheese or black pepper as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture hits that perfect spot between creamy and substantial, like a blanket you can eat
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • Never add cheese to boiling soup or it will separate and turn grainy, always reduce heat first
  • Grating your own cheese from a block makes a bigger difference than you'd expect
03 -
  • Temper your milk by whisking a small amount of hot soup into it before adding it to the pot to prevent curdling
  • Add the cheese off the heat entirely for the smoothest result
Return