Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Printable)

A silky, comforting soup combining fresh broccoli with sharp cheddar and aromatic vegetables. Ready in just 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head broccoli, chopped (approximately 1.1 pounds)
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced

→ Dairy

06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

→ Pantry

10 - 3 cups vegetable broth
11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes to form a roux.
03 - Gradually whisk in vegetable broth, ensuring no lumps remain. Add broccoli, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
04 - Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes, until broccoli is tender.
05 - Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth, or transfer in batches to a stand blender.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk and cream, then gradually add cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheddar or fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and subtle nutmeg creates this incredible depth that store bought soups never quite capture.
  • Its incredibly forgiving you can adjust the consistency to exactly how you like it just by blending it a little more or less.
02 -
  • Adding the cheese too quickly or over too high heat will create a grainy texture I once ruined an entire pot by rushing this step.
  • Letting the soup rest for about 5 minutes after its done actually improves the flavor as all the ingredients have time to fully meld together.
03 -
  • Save a small handful of the tiniest broccoli florets to blanch separately and add as a garnish for an impressive presentation that shows exactly what youre eating.
  • When reheating leftovers, add a splash of fresh cream at the end to revive the silky texture that might have thickened in the refrigerator.

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