My easy Broccoli Soup is a simple Cream of Broccoli Soup that’s thick and creamy with an extra hit of flavour from cheddar cheese! Essentially just throw it all in a pot, and you’re just 20 minutes away from a creamy, cheesy bowl of comfort under 300 calories.
Don’t forget warm crusty bread for dunking!
Broccoli Soup
I’m long overdue for a “green” recipe!! And there’s plenty of green in this recipe, with two giant heads of broccoli in it…..though there’s a decent wack of CHEESE to! 😉
But seriously, I joke about this being cheesy and there definitely IS cheese flavour in this. But because of the way I make this, it’s creamy and cheesy but it’s still rather healthy, clocking in at 280 calories if you make this without cream, and just 360 calories with.
A little different to the usual…
You’ll find many creamy broccoli soups are made with a roux, being melted butter mixed with flour which thickens the soup, then broccoli pieces are tossed in and cooked in that thickened soup.
I prefer making broccoli soup by cooking the broccoli until soft then blitzing it up to make a naturally thick and creamy soup. This way you actually get lovely broccoli flavour in the soup, rather than a generic creamy broth with bits of broccoli in it. Bonus is that it’s healthier!
What you need for creamy Broccoli Soup
Here’s all you need:
-
broccoli – fresh or frozen (lots – 700g/1.4lb!)
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butter, garlic and onion – flavour base
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chicken or vegetable broth/stock + water – for simmering / soup broth
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cheese & cream for finishing
Cream is optional! Does it make it tastier? Of course it does! Anyone who tells you otherwise is outright lying. It adds a layer of richness that you don’t get if you skip it or use milk instead.
But I make it without cream most of the time because cream isn’t part of my standard weekly shop. Still delicious, still creamy, still cheesy – just better for your waistline!
How to make it
And here’s how to make it. A quick saute of garlic and onion to create the flavour base, then tip everything else in a simmer away: chicken or vegetable stock/broth, water, broccoli and potato.
When the broccoli is very tender (a good 15 minutes or so) blitz away until it all purees into a thick, creamy soup. Then stir in the cream and cheese (the heat melts it super quickly) and serve.
The hit of cheddar cheese in this broccoli soup adds flavour and an element of tasty naughtiness into an otherwise very healthy soup. 😈
I stir most in the soup but I like to reserve bit to sprinkle on top. Because by the time the soup gets to the table, that extra cheese starts to ooze so when you dunk the bread into it, it looks like this…..
There really is something about dunking crusty bread into thick and creamy soups, isn’t there??? Luckily, I have a decent selection of soup dunkers around these parts!!
Soup Dunkers
So – if I haven’t convinced you already, one more reason to make this Broccoli Soup is that it freezes 100% perfectly and lasts for days and days in the fridge. It’s creamy and comforting, filling and yet HEALTHY and full of nutrition.
Win, win, win! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp (15g) butter (or olive oil)
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 onion , diced (brown, white yellow)
- 4 cups (1 litre) chicken broth / stock , low sodium (or veg stock)
- 1.5 cups (325ml) water
- 700g / 1.4lb) broccoli florets (2 large broccoli + diced peeled stem, Note 1)
- 2 potatoes , peeled and diced into 1.5cm / 2/3" cubes
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 cups (150g) cheddar cheese , shredded (or other cheese of choice)
- 3/4 cup (165ml) cream or milk
To Serve (optional)
- Cream, for drizzling
- Extra grated cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, saute for 2 minutes until onion is softened.
- Add broth/ water, broccoli, potato, salt and pepper. Bring to simmer, then place the lid on, turn the heat down to medium high and cook for 20 minutes or until the broccoli is soft.
- Turn stove off (but leave on stove). Puree using a stick blender until smooth (Note 2).
- Stir in cream, then add cheese a handful at a time, stirring in between to melt.
- Taste and add more salt if desired.
- Ladle into bowls. Drizzle with cream and top with extra grated cheese, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published 6 January 2016, updated 21 October 2019 with new photos, step photos, new video and most importantly, Life of Dozer section added!
More creamy soups without cream
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Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup – bid Heinz goodbye!
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Browse all Soups
Life of Dozer
Such focus and determination…for a cherry tomato of all things!! 😂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Nagi! I need this – it has been in the 20’s here in TN! UGH! The “fresh” broccoli here looks like it was harvested last summer. I will have to sub in steamed frozen just before I use my “boat motor”! I love that toy! 🙂
Nagi | RecipeTin says
20’s…..???? Nooooo……
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
What a great idea to make it better for you.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thanks Barbara!!
Tania | My Kitchen Stories says
Perfect, green and cheese. what could be better?
Nagi | RecipeTin says
RIGHT ON GIRL!
lindsay Cotter says
I think you read my mind. I have an abundance of broccoli leftover from a party platter. DONE! <3 yum
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I just bought another 4lb/2kg on special. WHAT am I going to make with it??? HELP ME LINDSAY!!!!
lindsay Cotter says
i’m thinking broccoli casserole next! haha
Aleerak says
I just made this recipe from the New York Times to use up leftover broccoli, which is what led me to your site when I was looking for a way to use up the leftover bread crusts. I loved the parmesan thyme bread crusts! There was no wasted food in my kitchen. I even got to use up the leftover fresh thyme! I’m enjoying exploring your site and can’t wait to try out more recipes ☺
http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015250-savory-bread-pudding-with-broccoli-and-goat-cheese
ann says
Mmmm, this a definite on the menu as soon as I get my hands on some broccoli.
How rude of your family to laugh at your chubby wee hands, I think they are delightful.
I see you have been starring in SFI again, well done.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Awww, thank you Ann!!! I am like a kid in a candy store every month!! PS chubby hands – Santa failed me again. WHEN will he bring me long elegant hands so I’m not totally embarrassed doing cooking videos????
Cathy says
Funny, I have had broccoli and broccoli soup on my mind lately. This is my reminder to make it! I have been making it very similar to this for years and my family always loved it. A good way to get green veggies in kids. I even found a recipe from a restaurant for spinach soup. People hear that and go yuck, but….my daughter and a friend came in when I was making it and it smelled good enough that they ate it and liked it. Broccoli soup is a huge fav though?
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Anything pureed is so much yummier, right? 😉
Anna Dawson says
Hi Nagi,
I am definately going to try this soup, sounds deliscious.
Can you put the soup into a blender instead of the stick blender?
Thank you
Nagi | RecipeTin says
You sure can Anna!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Wow!! Not only do I love broccoli but adding cream and cheese to it makes it triply good. — is triply a word? I can feel that goodness going all over my body!! Thank you for such a healthy recipe — I love your unhealthy ones too 🙂
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thank you Marisa! Always nice to hear that YOU approve!!! 🙂
Bonnie crim says
What a great soup for a cold winter day or night in the states. Bc
Nagi | RecipeTin says
🙂 N x
Bonnie crim says
Per usual, another winning recipe….you go girl!,,,,,bc
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Awww shucks, thanks Bonnie! <3 N x
John/Kitchen Riffs says
Nothing cheesy about healthy soup! 🙂 This looks terrific — loads of flavor, and really good for you, too. Thanks! And Happy New Year!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Happy New Year to you too John! And of course I am with you – healthy + cheese? Home run!
Sera @ Caramel Crew says
I had been looking for a fresh way to cook a simple meal with broccoli, and your recipe just hit the jackpot! The cheese might even convince the kids… 🙂 Thanks for posting this and have a great January!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Thank you!!! Hope you have a great Jan too! <3
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Only you could make a green soup look appetizing! Pass me a spoon, my stomach is officially growling!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
BA!!! Now BROWN soups are hard!!!
Linda | Brunch-n-Bites says
Creamy, cheesy, and healthy…this needs to happen soon! Cheese is my weakness after chocolate and pasta, and this soup looks so comforting.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
YES! Comfort food central!!!