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Heart Healthy Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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4.3 from 15 reviews

This Heart Healthy Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup combines comforting creaminess with nutritious ingredients, delivering 20 grams of protein per serving. Perfect for a wholesome meal, this soup features tender broccoli, sharp cheddar, and a smooth broth base that is both rich and lightly seasoned with no added salt.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Soup Base

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups no salt added chicken broth

Vegetables

  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped

Cheese

  • 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded

Instructions

  1. Heat Olive Oil and Sauté Onion: In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  2. Add Flour and Cook: Stir in the flour with the onions and cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture turns golden, forming a roux that will thicken the soup base.
  3. Incorporate Dairy: Slowly whisk in the half and half and milk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. For a lower-fat alternative, replace the half and half with additional milk if preferred.
  4. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the no salt added chicken broth, bring the soup to a simmer, and cook over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Add Vegetables and Cook Until Tender: Add the chopped broccoli florets and peeled, chopped carrot to the pot. Continue to cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the broccoli is soft and tender.
  6. Puree the Soup: Transfer the soup in batches to a blender and puree on low speed, leaving some chunks of broccoli and carrot intact for texture. Alternatively, blend directly in the pot using an immersion blender.
  7. Add Cheese and Finish: Return the blended soup to the pot (if using a blender) and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Serve the soup immediately while hot.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
  • To reduce fat, use all milk instead of half and half.
  • Use an immersion blender for easier blending directly in the pot.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste, though the recipe is designed to be low sodium.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Sodium

Find it online: https://cozykitchenbymaya.com/heart-healthy-creamy-broccoli-cheddar-soup-recipe/