Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Printable)

Luscious velvety soup with roasted broccoli, sharp cheddar, and rich cream. Comforting and flavorful, ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1 pound 2 ounces), cut into florets
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

04 - 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Pantry

07 - 3 cups vegetable broth
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, until golden and tender.
02 - In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
04 - Slowly whisk in vegetable broth, ensuring no lumps remain. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Add roasted broccoli to the pot, reserving a few florets for garnish if desired. Simmer for 8 minutes.
06 - Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, work in batches using a countertop blender.
07 - Stir in heavy cream, grated cheddar, and nutmeg. Cook over low heat, stirring, until cheese is melted and soup is creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved broccoli florets and extra cheddar if desired. Serve hot.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • Roasting the broccoli first adds a caramelized sweetness you just can't get from boiling.
  • The soup comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • Sharp cheddar gives it a bold, grown up flavor that isn't kiddie mac and cheese.
  • It reheats beautifully, so leftovers are actually something to look forward to.
02 -
  • Don't let the soup boil once you've added the cheese or it can turn grainy and break, keep it at a low simmer and stir gently.
  • Roasting the broccoli is non negotiable if you want that deep, sweet flavor, steaming or boiling just won't give you the same result.
  • If your soup is too thick, thin it with a little extra broth or cream, if it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded, it melts so much smoother and doesn't have that weird chalky coating.
  • Taste your broth before you start cooking, if it's salty you can cut back on the added salt and avoid an over seasoned soup.
  • Use a high powered blender or take your time with the immersion blender to get that restaurant style silky texture.
  • If you want to make this ahead, stop before adding the cream and cheese, then finish it just before serving so it stays fresh and creamy.
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