Description
A comforting and creamy broccoli potato cheese soup perfect for cozy nights. This hearty soup combines fresh broccoli, tender potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and aromatic seasonings into a velvety blend that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it offers a warm, flavorful meal ideal for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Optional: cayenne or paprika for extra seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash and chop 2 cups of fresh broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Peel and dice 2 medium potatoes. Chop 1 medium onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic to have all ingredients ready for cooking.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook vegetables: Add the diced potatoes and chopped broccoli to the pot with the onions and garlic. Stir everything together and cook for 3-4 minutes to slightly soften the vegetables.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes and broccoli are tender.
- Blend the soup: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend the soup until smooth. If unavailable, transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender, allowing it to cool slightly before blending to avoid spills and burns.
- Add cheese and milk: Return the blended soup to the pot if needed. Stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup of whole milk. Gently heat the soup until the cheese melts and the soup is warmed through, stirring frequently to combine.
- Season the soup: Add salt and pepper to taste. Add a pinch of nutmeg, and if desired, sprinkle a bit of cayenne or paprika to add a subtle kick of flavor.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the creamy broccoli potato cheese soup into bowls. Garnish with extra shredded cheese, a sprinkle of fresh chives, or crunchy croutons for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute cheddar cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives like vegan cheese and almond or oat milk.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version and chicken broth for extra rich flavor.
- Adjust thickness by adding more broth if you prefer a thinner soup or less for a creamier consistency.
- Be cautious when blending hot soup; always allow it to cool slightly or blend in batches to avoid accidents.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli soup, potato cheese soup, creamy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe
