Broccoli Cheese Soup is another favorite of mine and I bet you have the ingredients in your refrigerator needed to make this delicious broccoli cheddar soup! It is the perfect cold weather soup or really anytime. It’s a perfect soup for spring with a homemade chicken salad or pimento cheese sandwich.
There is another Broccoli Cheese Soup out there that I make to. I think it’s Panera’s Broccoli Cheese soup. Why do I like this recipe more? Because the Panera recipe seems to be a little watery to me. I have made it many times and every time I feel it’s a little watery. It could be because it’s not pureed like I did in this soup. However the Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe is delicious and by the way is very popular.
Maybe it’s just me, but when you use very similar ingredients and treat them differently like I did, a little pureed, it changes the texture, the mouth fill. When I am eating an intended cheesy soup with cream, I want it to not seem watery. I love the creamy texture in this recipe and its just gives you that feeling of a cup or bowl of creamy tomato soup .
I used my emulsion blender to puree the ingredients. Here is one I would recommend. I use mine all of the time not only to puree a soup but to beat eggs for the perfect scramble.
This is very basic. I have had my KitchenAid Emulsion (Hand) Blender for probably 20 years and it still works beautifully! There are many that come with lots of attachments, but if you’re like me you will stuff them in a drawer or cabinet and never use them. You may want the additional attachments!
I do have a Vitamix though that I love to use for a pureed soup or anything actually. It is amazing. They are expensive and it took me a lifetime to be able to justify buying one…but it’s a workhorse. I bought mine from William Sanoma but this Amazon choice is comparable.
what you need for this Broccoli Cheese Soup?
- extra virgin olive oil
- butter
- yellow onion
- fresh thyme
- carrots
- all purpose flour
- vegetable or chicken broth
- bay leaves
- smoked or regular paprika
- cauliflower
- broccoli florets
- cayenne
- salt and pepper
- milk
- heavy cream
- sharp cheddar cheese
What would be good with this soup?
Although this soup is delicious on it’s on with just some crackers or a piece of sourdough or even garlic bread, it is also a delicious accompaniment to a simple sandwich like chicken salad or a delicious southern Pimento Cheese sandwich. My mouth is watering. Here’s the recipe for my Pimiento Cheese. I must make that tomorrow so expect a new post.
Always a Favorite – My Southern Pimiento Cheese
Yum! I have a new Chicken Salad Recipe that I love that I’ll post in a few days. I think a Chicken Salad or the Pimiento Cheese are the perfect accompaniment.
need more soup recipes:
This is another broccoli cheese soup I have on the blog that I love and I’m going to repost in a day or so and I just posted the Loaded Baked Potato Soup yesterday.
The Best, Yet Easiest – Broccoli, with Potato & Cheese Soup
and, Perfect Comfort Food- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Both of these soups are delicious. ,
Let me know if you make this!
Broccolli Cheese Soup
Equipment
- Handheld Blender or Blender
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour (or gluten free)
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1-2 cups water if needed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 tsp smoked or regular paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
- kosher shalt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup half & half or heavy cream
- 1-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and thyme, and cook about 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook until golden, about 2 minutes, then gradually whisk in the broth. Add the cauliflower and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender.
- Transfer the soup to a blender and purée until smooth. If you don't have a blender, use a hand blender. It will work beautifully. Return the soup to the pot if you pureed it in your blender. If needed add 1-2 cups water, then the broccoli, bay leaves, paprika, cayenne, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook, uncovered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes. If you think it's cooking down too much, add a lid and set it ajar on the pot.
- Remove the bay leaves and blend the soup in batches until the broccoli is mostly pureed leaving small chunks.
- Return the soup to the stove and set over low heat. Stir in the heavy cream or the half and half . Add the cheese and cook until melted and creamy. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. If the soup is thick, add broth to thin. Ladle into bowls and top with a little extra cheddar and more fresh thyme.
