Description
This Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, comforting, and nutritious meal, packed with vegetables like carrots, celery, and broccoli, all blended together with melted cheddar and cottage cheese for a creamy texture. It’s lighter than traditional broccoli cheddar soup, yet still rich in flavor and perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 cups vegetable broth (not-chicken style for a vegetarian version)
- 4 cups chopped broccoli
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended for a creamy texture
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Sauté the Vegetables:
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
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Make the Roux:
- Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables, stirring to combine, and cook for about 2 minutes to make a roux.
- Add the smoked paprika and stir well.
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Add Broth and Simmer:
- Gradually pour in the vegetable broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
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Add Broccoli and Milk:
- Add the chopped broccoli and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the broccoli becomes tender.
- Pour in the 1% milk and continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes.
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Blend the Soup:
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If you prefer some texture, you can leave a few chunks of broccoli.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches.
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Add the Cheese and Cottage Cheese:
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and blended cottage cheese. Let the cheese melt into the soup, stirring occasionally until smooth and creamy.
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Season and Serve:
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra shredded cheddar cheese, croutons, or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour to make the soup gluten-free.
- Make it Vegan: Replace the cheddar cheese and cottage cheese with vegan alternatives, and use plant-based milk.
- Make-Ahead: This soup can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American