Creamy broth, soft vegetables, and rich cheese come together in this Broccoli Carrot Cheddar Soup, a quick one-pot meal that comes together in about 40 minutes and tastes homemade.
2largeheads of broccolisectioned into bite-size pieces
1carrotcut into 1/4" slices
2stalksof celerycut into1/4" slices
1/2largeyellow oniondiced
8oz(or more) cheddar cheesefinely grated and at room temperature
1/2tspsalt
1/4tspblack pepperfreshly ground
Instructions
In a large stock pot or large Dutch oven over medium-low heat, add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the carrots and cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender. Add the celery and onions, and cook until translucent. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and flour over the vegetable mixture and stir until it becomes clumpy. Allow the mixture to cook for one minute while stirring frequently.
Add the chicken broth and turn the heat up to high. Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Add the half & half or heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes, then add the broccoli pieces. Simmer until the broccoli is tender and cooked all the way through.
Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to cool for 5 minutes before adding the cheese. To prevent the cheese from curdling, slowly add a few tablespoons at a time, whisking constantly. Do not add more until the cheese you just added has melted completely. Once all of the cheese has been added, serve immediately.
Notes
-If you want the soup extra cheesy, stir in an additional 2 to 4 ounces of cheese until it melts smoothly.STORE Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup in an airtight container once it has cooled completely and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, FREEZE the soup in freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. It will keep well for up to 2 months in the freezer.When ready to REHEAT, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring regularly. If the soup thickens too much after storing or freezing, stir in a bit of warm broth or milk to restore its original consistency.