When the craving for comfort food strikes, few dishes hit the spot quite like a warm, hearty bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. Its creamy texture, sharp cheddar flavor, and tender-crisp broccoli florets make it a perennial favorite, perfect for chilly days or cozy nights in. But with so many recipes out there, finding the perfect one can be a daunting task. From classic stovetop versions to slow cooker variations and even gluten-free adaptations, navigating the world of broccoli cheddar soup recipes can be overwhelming. Fear not, fellow soup enthusiasts! In this article, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you create the most delicious and satisfying almost-famous broccoli cheddar soup. We'll take you through every step of the process, from selecting the right ingredients to perfecting the cooking technique, so you can enjoy a truly unforgettable bowl of soup.
Let's cook with our recipes!
BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP
Broccoli cheddar soup is thick, creamy, and comforting. This homemade soup is a Panera copy cat recipe. It's filling too, so with a simple salad and dinner rolls, your meatless meal is complete.
Provided by Kita Roberts
Categories Soups, Stews and Chowders
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth.
- Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
- Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves.
- Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth; you'll still have flecks of carrot and broccoli.
- Return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.)
- Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted. Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick.
- Ladle into the bowls and garnish with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 503 calories, Carbohydrate 15 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 114 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 40 grams fat, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 23 grams protein, SaturatedFat 24 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 594 grams sodium, Sugar 4 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams unsaturated fat
ALMOST-FAMOUS BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP
Steps:
- Directions Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the bread bowls: Using a sharp knife, cut a circle into the top of each loaf, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Remove the bread top, then hollow out the middle with a fork or your fingers, leaving a thick bread shell. Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth; you'll still have flecks of carrot and broccoli. Return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.) Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted. Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick. Ladle into the bread bowls and garnish with cheese.
COPYCAT PANERA® BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP
My husband loves Panera® broccoli cheddar soup but it went up in price and therefore we set out on a hunt to create the perfect broccoli cheddar soup. Here is what we came up with. There are tons of variations and options to make this soup your own. You can add extra veggies, different cheeses, garlic to your onions, a little nutmeg to the finished soup, green onions, sour cream, etc. The list goes on and on. Make it your own! Serve topped with cheese!
Provided by gildawen
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Broccoli Soup Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot butter until translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Whisk 1/4 cup melted butter and flour together in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk and cook , adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk if necessary to keep the flour from burning, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Gradually pour milk into flour mixture while whisking constantly. Stir chicken stock into milk mixture. Bring to a simmer; cook until mixture is thickened, about 20 minutes. Add broccoli, carrots, sauteed onion, and celery; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Stir Cheddar cheese into vegetable mixture until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.4 calories, Carbohydrate 10.7 g, Cholesterol 70.5 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 14.4 g, Sodium 624 mg, Sugar 5 g
BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP
My husband Eric and I eat dinner together to spend some quality time together. This cheesy broccoli cheddar soup is proof that soup doesn't need to be made in big batches to be good. —Cheryl McRae, West Valley, Utah
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended; gradually add milk and broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes., Add broccoli. Cook and stir until heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 494 calories, Fat 37g fat (24g saturated fat), Cholesterol 116mg cholesterol, Sodium 1145mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right cheese: A sharp cheddar cheese will give the soup a more intense flavor, while a mild cheddar will produce a more subtle taste. You can also use a combination of cheeses, such as cheddar and Parmesan, to create a more complex flavor profile.
- Use fresh vegetables: Fresh broccoli and carrots will give the soup a more vibrant color and flavor. If you don't have fresh vegetables on hand, you can use frozen vegetables instead.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: Overcooked vegetables will become mushy and lose their flavor. Cook the vegetables just until they are tender-crisp.
- Make a roux: A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken soups and sauces. A roux will help to give the soup a smooth and creamy texture.
- Season the soup to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to give the soup a little kick.
- Serve the soup with your favorite toppings: Some popular toppings for broccoli cheddar soup include shredded cheese, croutons, and bacon bits.
Conclusion:
Broccoli cheddar soup is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a hit with the family. With its creamy texture, cheesy flavor, and fresh vegetables, it's a soup that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this broccoli cheddar soup recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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