Cozy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe: A Bowl of Comfort

Comfort wafts through the kitchen as this creamy broccoli cheddar soup recipe bubbles with warmth and cheesy goodness.

Rich, velvety textures blend perfectly in every spoonful.

Cheese lovers will swoon over the sharp cheddar melting into tender broccoli florets.

The golden-green soup promises a hearty embrace on chilly days.

Nutritious vegetables dance with decadent dairy, creating a symphony of flavors that satisfy deep hunger.

Each bowl delivers a balanced harmony of rustic charm and sophisticated taste.

Let’s find out this soul-soothing recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Tips to Elevate Your Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Try sharp white cheddar or mild gouda for different flavor profiles in your broccoli soup. Each cheese brings its own unique taste and creamy texture.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or diced celery during the initial sautéing stage. These additions create more depth and complexity.
• For a heartier soup, incorporate cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced ham. Protein helps make the dish more filling and satisfying.
• Blend half the soup for a creamier consistency while leaving some chunks for added texture. An immersion blender works perfectly for this technique.
• Introduce heat with red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of cayenne pepper. These spices can elevate the soup's flavor profile and provide a warming kick.

Serving Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Style

• Cozy Comfort Plating: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic bowls with a rustic feel, garnishing with extra shredded cheddar and fresh cracked pepper for rich visual appeal.
• Bread Companion Pairing: Accompany the soup with warm crusty sourdough bread or herbed croutons to add delightful crunch and help soak up the creamy broth.
• Vegetable Accent Topping: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh chives, crispy bacon bits, or roasted broccoli florets on top to enhance texture and introduce additional flavor layers that complement the soup's creamy base.
• Seasonal Side Suggestion: Create a light green salad with mixed spring greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a fresh counterpoint to the warm, cheesy dish.

How to Store Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Transfer leftover zucchini boats to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Sealed properly, they'll stay fresh and tasty for 3-4 days, making quick reheating a breeze for busy weeknights.
• Reheating Rescue: Warm refrigerated zucchini boats in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain their crispy texture. Microwave works in a pinch, but may soften the zucchini slightly, so oven reheating is recommended for best results.
• Freezer-Friendly Tip: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe wrap or containers. Frozen zucchini boats keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve their delicious flavor and texture.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the zucchini boats completely before baking and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This make-ahead approach saves time and allows flavors to meld, creating an even more delicious meal when you're ready to cook.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 7

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredient Rundown

• Butter, Olive Oil: Creates rich, golden base with deep, nutty undertones that enhance overall soup complexity.
• Onion, Garlic: Builds foundational aromatic layer with sweet and pungent notes that provide depth and warmth.

• Broccoli Florets: Provides vibrant green color, robust texture, and nutrient-dense vegetable centerpiece with fresh, slightly earthy taste.
• Carrot: Adds natural sweetness, beautiful color, and subtle crunch to balance soup's creamy texture.

• Chicken Broth: Delivers savory, rich background flavor and creates smooth, balanced liquid foundation.
• Half-and-Half, Cream Cheese: Ensures luxurious, velvety consistency with tangy undertones and silky mouthfeel.

• All-Purpose Flour: Acts as reliable thickening agent to create perfect soup consistency.
• Bay Leaves, Nutmeg: Introduce subtle, sophisticated background notes with warm, complex aromatics.

• Sharp White/Yellow Cheddar Cheese: Provides bold, sharp flavor profile and creamy, melting quality.
• Coarse Salt, Freshly Ground Pepper: Enhances and balances overall taste with classic seasoning approach.

Tools for Making Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Large Saucepan: Sturdy pot for cooking rice and preparing filling mixture.
• Fork: Perfect for fluffing rice and mixing ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Essential for slicing zucchinis and chopping ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to slice zucchinis lengthwise and remove seeds.
• Roasting Pan or Baking Sheet: Used for baking stuffed zucchini boats in the oven.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring salt and pepper.
• Cheese Grater: To grate fresh Parmesan cheese.

How to Prepare Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Veggie Preparation Kitchen setup with fresh zucchinis, slicing them carefully lengthwise and gently removing seeds to create perfect little boat shapes for delicious filling.
• Flavor Foundation Crafting a rich and creamy mixture using fragrant garlic, tender rice, vibrant spinach, and smooth half & half that will transform simple vegetables into a mouthwatering meal.
• Baking Magic Transforming the zucchini boats by nestling them in a hot oven, allowing the ingredients to meld together and create a golden, bubbling masterpiece that will make taste buds dance with excitement.
• Cheese Finale Sprinkling a delicate layer of Parmesan cheese over the top, adding a final touch of savory goodness that elevates the entire dish from wonderful to absolutely irresistible.

Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty broccoli cheddar soup brings creamy comfort from classic American kitchens. Rich cheese and tender vegetables create a satisfying meal you can savor with crusty bread and warm memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups broccoli florets (from 1 large head)
• 2 cups grated sharp white/yellow cheddar cheese (plus more for garnish)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 ¼ cups half-and-half
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (light or regular)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• Coarse salt
• Freshly ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a substantial saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat. Introduce minced garlic, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Allow ingredients to dance and release their fragrant essence until softened and provocatively aromatic.
2. Develop Base: Add uncooked rice, verdant spinach leaves, water, salt, and ground pepper. Propel mixture to a rolling boil, then gracefully reduce heat. Cover and allow ingredients to simmer gently, melding flavors for 20-25 minutes until rice achieves perfect tenderness.
3. Enhance Texture: Delicately fluff rice with a fork. Incorporate half-and-half cream, vibrant diced tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan. Calibrate seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to elevate taste profile. Thin with additional half-and-half if mixture appears too dense.
4. Prepare Vessels: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice zucchinis lengthwise, meticulously removing inner seeds to create elegant boats. This preparation transforms ordinary vegetables into culinary canvases.
5. Final Assembly and Baking: Generously fill zucchini boats with prepared rice mixture. Arrange strategically in roasting pan, ensuring adequate spacing. Bake for 20-25 minutes until zucchinis metamorphose into golden-edged, tender masterpieces.
6. Serve with Flourish: Crown each zucchini boat with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Present immediately, celebrating your gastronomic creation.

Notes

• Garlic Sauté Tip: Mince garlic finely and sauté briefly to release aromatic oils without burning, creating a flavor foundation for the dish.
• Rice Cooking Technique: Use precise water-to-rice ratio and maintain low simmer to ensure perfectly cooked, fluffy rice with optimal texture.
• Zucchini Boat Preparation: Remove seeds carefully to create stable boats that hold filling without becoming soggy, maximizing structural integrity.
• Cheese Finishing Touch: Freshly grated Parmesan adds depth and richness; sprinkle just before serving to maintain maximum flavor and slight melt.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg