Description
This 20 Minute Broccoli Cheese Soup is a creamy and comforting homemade soup featuring tender broccoli florets, rich sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese. Quick to prepare, it balances fresh vegetables with a creamy cheesy base, perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup chopped carrot
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
Liquids
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups half & half or cream
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and chopped carrot, cooking until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
- Simmer Vegetables: Add broccoli florets, chicken broth, fresh thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered until the broccoli is tender, around 8 minutes.
- Reserve Vegetables: Using a slotted spoon, remove 1 cup of vegetables from the soup. Coarsely chop and set aside to be added later for texture.
- Blend Soup Base: Using an immersion blender or regular blender, puree the remaining vegetables and broth in the saucepan until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare Slurry: In a small bowl, combine the flour with half & half gradually to make a smooth slurry, mixing well to avoid lumps.
- Thicken the Soup: Bring the blended soup mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and half & half slurry continuously until the soup thickens and bubbles, about 3 to 4 minutes. Boil for an additional minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Cheese and Reserved Veggies: Remove the soup from heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted and fully incorporated. Then fold in the reserved chopped vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Use half & half instead of cream for a lighter soup.
- Fresh thyme can be replaced with ¼ teaspoon dried thyme if unavailable.
- The reserved vegetables add texture; blend all for a smoother soup if preferred.
- For a thicker soup, increase the flour by 1 tablespoon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli cheese soup, quick soup, creamy broccoli soup, homemade soup, easy broccoli recipes
