A delicious, hearty, cozy soup like this Broccoli White Cheddar Soup is a recipe you'll want to slurp all winter long. With plenty of vegetables blended into the base with both sharp and white cheddar cheese, you’re going to pass on Panera’s version again and again.
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About this Soup
Things I associate with being cozy: slurping on a big bowl of my favorite soup. This Broccoli White Cheddar is SO cozy.
The base is actually primarily veggies blended up with some skim milk and both sharp cheddar and white cheddar. The result is a creamy, yet light mixture that makes you feel so good. The flavor profile of using the two different types of cheddar is also magical.
This Broccoli White Cheddar Soup is the perfect Sunday meal alongside a toasted piece of French bread for dipping and leftovers to enjoy all week long.
And if you're looking for more cozy soup recipes, also check out this Spicy Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi Soup, this Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Soup, this Healthy Chicken Tortellini Soup or this Homemade Tomato Soup that I'm sure you'll love, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Veggies - Garlic, white onion, celery, carrots, and cauliflower will get sautéed down until soft and then blended to create the nutrient packed base of our soup.
- Vegetable Broth - Thins out the blended veggie soup base.
- Milk - Adds creaminess to the base of our soup + some protein. I used FairLife skim.
- Cheese - We’ll use both sharp cheddar and white cheddar. I highly suggest shredding your own. It’ll melt and incorporate better into the soup.
- Spices - Flavor comes from the spices! We’ll use salt, pepper, onion powder and paprika. Don't be shy with them.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Start by preparing the ingredients: Use a cheese grater to shred fresh cheddar cheese and white cheddar cheese. Set aside. Use a vegetable chopper to finely dice white onion, carrots, and celery. Wash, strain, and remove stalks from the head of cauliflower and broccoli. Break the head into small pieces with your hands (this is less messy than chopping!). Steam the broccoli in the microwave by placing chopped pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and pour ¼ cup of water over the top. Cover with a paper towel or plate, and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes until broccoli is tender.
2. Heat a large pot to medium heat. Add the butter, minced garlic, diced onions, celery, and carrots, Sauté for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant.
3. Add in cauliflower with the vegetable broth. Place the lid on the pot and allow the cauliflower to steam for 7-10 minutes or until very soft.
4. Turn the heat to low, and use an immersion blender to blend everything in the pot together until smooth.
5. Slowly pour in the milk and shredded cheese. Whisk it until all cheese is melted. Then add the flour a bit at a time and continue to whisk to thicken the base. Add in all of the seasonings and stir.
6. Fold in broccoli to the soup. Cover with the lid and place soup on low. Allow it to simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Serve with a slice of fresh, warm bread and with more cheese / cracked pepper on top. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Store your Broccoli White Cheddar Soup in an airtight container in the microwave for 3-5 days. Reheat covered with a paper towel or napkin in 30 second intervals until warmed through. Stir between each interval to avoid hot pockets.
You can also freeze this soup. Let cool then add to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
I HIGHLY recommend you shred your own cheese for this recipe. 1) It melts better and 2) It's fresher with way more flavor.
I used a combination of sharp cheddar and white cheddar. For a stronger white cheddar flavor, use white cheddar only. You could also swap a portion of either cheese for shredded Gouda, provolone, or pepper Jack for a unique but delicious twist.
This soup goes great with a crusty, fresh baked bread for dipping. It also goes well alongside a side salad, potato salad, or hearty sandwich (yes, just like a Panera You-Pick-Two).
Topping suggestions: Crushed crackers, homemade croutons, extra cheese, nutritional yeast, etc. Not a topping, but try serving it in a bread bowl!
More Recipes You'll Love
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Recipe
Broccoli White Cheddar Soup
Equipment
- Sauce pot
- vegetable chopper or knife
- cheese grater
- strainer
- Immersion blender
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp light butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 small onion
- ½ cup celery, diced
- ½ cup carrots, diced
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 head broccoli
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups skim milk, Fairlife
- 8 oz sharp cheddar, shredded
- 4 oz white cheddar, shredded
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- pinch red pepper flakes
For garnish
- additional shredded cheese
- green onion, diced
- soft bread
Instructions
- Start by preparing the ingredients. Use a cheese grater to shred fresh cheddar cheese and white cheddar cheese. Set aside. Use a vegetable chopper to finely dice white onion, carrots, and celery. Wash, strain, and remove stalks from the head of cauliflower and broccoli. Break the head into small pieces with your hands (this is less messy than chopping!).
- Steam the broccoli in the microwave by placing chopped pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and pour ¼ cup of water over the top. Cover with a paper towel or plate, and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes until broccoli is tender.
- Heat a large pot to medium heat. Add the butter, minced garlic, diced onions, celery, and carrots, Sauté for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add in cauliflower with the vegetable broth. Place the lid on the pot and allow the cauliflower to steam for 7-10 minutes or until very soft.
- Turn the heat to low, and use an immersion blender to blend everything in the pot together until smooth.
- Slowly pour in the milk and shredded cheese. Whisk it until all cheese is melted. Then add the flour a bit at a time and continue to whisk to thicken the base. Add in all of the seasonings and stir.
- Fold in broccoli to the soup. Cover with the lid and place soup on low. Allow it to simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
- Serve with a slice of fresh, warm bread and with more cheese / cracked pepper on top. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find BROCCOLI WHITE CHEDDAR SOUP calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Courtney Paige says
This soup is perfect for cold days and such a lighter version of the one I crave from Panera.
Sydney Van Acker says
white cheddar is the superior cheddar and this soup is SO good