Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Roasted Vegetables
Easy homemade broccoli cheddar soup recipe. Creamy, comforting, and ready in 50 minutes with fresh vegetables and sharp cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, divided
- 1 medium Yukon Gold potato, diced small
- 1 medium carrot, diced small
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Gather all ingredients and measure them into small bowls before beginning, setting aside 1 cup of broccoli florets for garnish.
- 2
Melt butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, allowing it to foam gently for about 1 minute.
- 3
Add the diced onion to the melted butter and stir frequently until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.
- 5
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring continuously to create a paste-like roux, cooking for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- 6
Slowly pour the vegetable broth into the pot while whisking to prevent lumps from forming, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- 7
Add the diced potato, carrot, and most of the broccoli florets (reserving the 1 cup for later), then stir well to distribute vegetables evenly.
- 8
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15-18 minutes until the vegetables are completely tender when pierced with a fork.
- 9
Remove the pot from direct heat and allow it to cool for 2-3 minutes, then carefully pour half of the soup into a blender and puree until completely smooth.
- 10
Return the pureed portion back to the pot with the chunky half, stirring well to create a creamy yet textured consistency.
- 11
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and reserved broccoli florets, then simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the florets brighten in color.
- 12
Turn off the heat completely, then slowly stir in the heavy cream, moving the spoon in a figure-eight pattern to fully incorporate.
- 13
Add the nutmeg, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the surface in three additions, stirring gently after each addition until melted and fully incorporated.
- 14
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and cayenne if desired, remembering that cheese adds inherent saltiness.
- 15
Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately with crusty bread or oyster crackers on the side.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy cream | Greek yogurt or cashew cream | Reduces saturated fat and calories while increasing protein and probiotics for better gut health |
| Sharp cheddar cheese | Gruyère or aged white cheddar | Provides deeper umami notes and complex flavor while reducing reliance on salt for seasoning |
| All-purpose flour | Cornstarch or rice flour | Creates a lighter thickener that's easier to digest and reduces refined grain intake |
| Vegetable broth (store-bought) | Homemade vegetable or bone broth | Increases collagen, minerals, and amino acids for improved gut lining and joint health |
| Butter | Ghee or olive oil | Ghee offers better digestibility; olive oil adds polyphenols and reduces saturated fat intake |
| White potato | Cauliflower or celery root | Lowers glycemic load and carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy texture with better blood sugar stability |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 412 |
| Total Fat | 26g |
| Saturated Fat | 14g |
| Cholesterol | 68mg |
| Sodium | 785mg |
| Carbohydrates | 26g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 24g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
