Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!) Recipe

Introduction

This Broccoli Cheese Soup is a creamy, comforting dish made with just five simple ingredients. It’s perfect for a cozy meal and comes together quickly, delivering rich flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 4 cups broccoli, cut into florets
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups pre-shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic for one minute until fragrant. Add a little oil if needed to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and broccoli florets to the pot. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
3. Step 3: For a smooth soup, use a slotted spoon to remove about one-third of the broccoli florets and set them aside. This step is optional if you prefer a fully pureed soup.
4. Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining broccoli in the pot until smooth.
5. Step 5: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese in 1/2 cup increments, stirring constantly until each portion is fully melted. Avoid high heat to prevent the cheese from seizing.
6. Step 6: For a smoother texture, puree the soup again after the cheese has melted.
7. Step 7: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the reserved broccoli florets. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use sharp cheddar for more pronounced flavor, or a mild variety if you prefer a gentler taste.
• Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper to enhance the soup’s depth.
• If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender to puree.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often to prevent the cheese from separating. Adding a splash of cream or broth during reheating can help maintain a smooth texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well. Just adjust the simmering time slightly until the broccoli is tender and continue as directed.

Can I make this soup dairy-free?

To make a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Keep in mind the flavor and texture will differ slightly.

Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!) Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 62 reviews

A creamy, comforting Broccoli Cheese Soup made with just 5 simple ingredients. This easy stovetop recipe blends tender broccoli, savory garlic, rich cheddar cheese, and cream to create a satisfying and hearty soup perfect for any day.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Soup Ingredients

• 4 cups broccoli, cut into florets
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups cheddar cheese, pre-shredded

Instructions

1. Sauté Garlic: In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic for one minute until fragrant. Add a little oil if needed to prevent sticking.
2. Add Broth, Cream, and Broccoli: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the broccoli florets. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
3. Optional Step – Reserve Broccoli Florets: Using a slotted spoon, remove about one-third of the broccoli florets and set aside if you prefer some broccoli pieces in your final soup.
4. Puree Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining soup until smooth, leaving some broccoli pieces out if you reserved them.
5. Add Cheese Gradually: Lower the heat to low and add cheddar cheese in 1/2 cup increments, stirring constantly until each addition melts completely. Avoid high heat to prevent the cheese from seizing.
6. Re-Puree and Finish: Puree the soup again for a smoother texture, if desired. Then remove the pot from heat and gently stir the reserved broccoli florets back into the soup.

Notes

• Use pre-shredded cheddar cheese for easier melting and to avoid clumping.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
• Adjust garlic amount to taste.
• If you prefer a fully smooth soup, skip reserving broccoli florets and puree all of it.
• Keep the heat low when melting cheese to prevent oil separation or clumping.

Keywords: Broccoli cheese soup, easy broccoli soup, creamy broccoli soup, 5 ingredient soup, stovetop soup, cheddar cheese soup