Broccoli Cheddar Soup

 

THE BEST broccoli cheese soup there ever was! So creamy, so cheesy. Perfect for those busy weeknights + picky eaters!

 

Creamy, velvety, broccoli cheese soup with sneaked in veggies? Yes, absolutely. I am all in. And it is truly the most perfect creamy consistency (with the help of the potatoes) without weighing you down like you’ve just eaten a bowl of queso.

If you want to keep this completely vegetarian, vegetable stock is a great sub for the chicken stock. And if you want an even heartier version, half and half can be subbed for the heavy cream.

But the most important thing here is to use good quality cheese that has been freshly shredded. It will make all the difference. And be sure to add them a handful at a time to avoid clumps. We do not like clumps here.

When ready to serve, top with additional cheese (if desired) and some crusty bread for dipping purposes.

Ingredients

·         ¼ cup unsalted butter

·         1 medium sweet onion, diced

·         3 cloves garlic, minced

·         ½ teaspoon dried thyme

·         ¼ cup all-purpose flour

·         3 ½ cups chicken stock

·         2 cups diced russet potatoes

·         Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

·         5 cups finely chopped broccoli florets

·         ½ cup heavy cream

·         8 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, about 2 cups

Instructions

·         Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

·         Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.

·         Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.

·         Stir in chicken stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

·         Stir in potatoes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

·         Using a wooden spoon, mash potatoes until slightly thickened, if desired; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

·         Stir in broccoli and heavy cream. Cook, covered, until broccoli is tender, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool 2 minutes.

·         Stir in cheese, a handful at a time, until smooth, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

·         Serve immediately.