Yum you guys, this recipe is fabulous! I bookmarked it almost a year ago and remembered it when we were working on our grocery list for the week. I wanted potato soup, Tyler wanted a veggie soup, this was our version of compromise. I ended up leaving out the carrots as my digestive system does not like them, even though my tastebuds do. I served it with some Tastefully Simple beer bread and we scarfed it down. I may even take leftovers for lunch tomorrow, and that is rare for me! Try this soup, you won’t be sorry!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup (adapted from Food Network, as seen on Amber’s blog)
Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 cups broccoli florets, stems removed (about 1 head)
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 1/2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
Directions:
Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth; you’ll still have flecks of carrot and broccoli. Return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.)
Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted. Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese.





