Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Print Version)

A rich, creamy blend of fresh broccoli and sharp cheddar cheese

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
02 - 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 1 cup heavy cream
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Base & Liquid

09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

→ Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika
14 - Pinch of ground nutmeg

# How to Make It:

01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, approximately 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir constantly for 2 minutes to form a roux.
02 - Gradually whisk vegetable broth into the roux, ensuring no lumps form. Bring mixture to a simmer.
03 - Add broccoli florets and shredded carrots to the simmering broth. Maintain a gentle simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in whole milk and heavy cream, heating gently without boiling.
05 - Add grated cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring continuously until completely melted and smooth.
06 - Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and nutmeg. For smoother texture, use immersion blender to partially puree, leaving some vegetable chunks if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from craving to eating before your mood shifts.
  • The sharp cheddar cuts through the cream in a way that feels sophisticated but still totally approachable.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, leaving you time to actually sit down and enjoy what you've made.
02 -
  • If your cheese doesn't melt smoothly and turns grainy or clumpy, your temperature was too high—always add cheese on low heat and stir gently.
  • Pre-shredded cheese melts differently than block cheese because of the anti-caking additives, so grating your own makes a tangible difference in creaminess.
03 -
  • Brown the onions just slightly if you want deeper, caramelized flavor instead of sweet—it changes the entire personality of the soup.
  • Taste the broth on its own before using it; if it's salty or bland, adjust knowing it concentrates as the soup simmers.
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