Cozy Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cheese Soup Recipe

Creamy broccoli, cauliflower, and cheese soup represents the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings.

Hearty vegetables elevate into a luxurious blend that warms you from the inside out.

Nutritious ingredients combine to create a velvety texture that feels both indulgent and wholesome.

Smooth and rich, this soup balances robust green vegetables with sharp, melted cheese for a delightful flavor profile.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how simple ingredients can become something truly spectacular.

Winter meals gain an extra layer of satisfaction with this nourishing recipe that speaks to fundamental culinary pleasures.

Families and friends will gather around the table, eagerly anticipating each spoonful of this satisfying soup.

Why Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cheese Soup Is a Creamy Veggie Dream

• Boost Vegetable Nutrition: Packed with broccoli and cauliflower, this soup delivers a powerhouse of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in every comforting spoonful.
• Creamy Comfort without Guilt: The recipe creates a rich, velvety texture using half and half and cheese while keeping the overall dish lighter than traditional cream soups.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this soup comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a warm, satisfying meal with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easily adaptable with optional garnishes like extra cheese, herbs, or even crispy bacon bits, allowing everyone to personalize their bowl and enjoy a unique experience.

Ingredients for Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cheese Soup

• Broccoli Florets: Fresh and crisp vegetable with a vibrant green color, adding nutritional value and texture to the soup.
• Cauliflower Florets: Mild-flavored white vegetable that provides a creamy base and extra nutrients.
• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that adds natural sweetness and a beautiful orange color to the soup.
• Celery: Aromatic vegetable that provides a subtle herbal background flavor and additional depth.
• Onion: Fundamental ingredient that creates a rich, savory base for the soup's flavor profile.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Bold and tangy cheese that melts smoothly and provides a rich, creamy texture.
• Half and Half: Creamy dairy product that adds luxurious richness and smoothness to the soup.

• Olive Oil: Neutral cooking oil for sautéing vegetables and developing initial flavor layers.
• All-Purpose Flour: Essential thickening agent that helps create a smooth, consistent soup texture.
• Chicken Base: Concentrated flavor enhancer that provides depth and savory undertones.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and highlight the soup's overall taste.
• Water: Primary liquid component for creating the soup's consistency.

How to Make Broccoli Cauliflower Soup That’s Ultra Creamy

Step 1: Prepare Veggie Base

Grab a spacious pot and warm olive oil over medium heat. Chop carrots, celery, and onions into small, uniform pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let vegetables dance and soften for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Carrots
• Celery
• Onions
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 2: Create Silky Roux

Dust flour over softened vegetables. Stir constantly for one minute, allowing flour to mingle with veggies and create a smooth foundation.

• Flour

Step 3: Introduce Broccoli and Cauliflower

Whisk chicken base with water in a separate bowl. Pour liquid into pot. Add broccoli and cauliflower florets. Gently blend everything together.

• Chicken base
• Water
• Broccoli florets
• Cauliflower florets

Step 4: Simmer and Soften

Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat. Cover pot and let ingredients meld for 10 minutes until vegetables become tender.

Step 5: Transform Texture

Remove from heat. Use potato masher to break down vegetables, creating a rustic, chunky consistency.

Step 6: Enrich with Creamy Goodness

Pour half and half into pot. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese melts completely. Taste and adjust seasonings.

• Half and half
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Optional: Garnish with extra cheese or fresh herbs for a beautiful finishing touch.

Tips for Smooth, Cheesy Veggie Soup

• Select the Right Vegetables: Choose fresh, crisp broccoli and cauliflower with tight, vibrant florets to ensure maximum flavor and texture in your soup.
• Master the Roux Technique: Stir flour constantly when making the roux to prevent burning and create a smooth, lump-free base for your creamy soup.
• Control Vegetable Consistency: Gently mash vegetables to your preferred texture- less for a chunkier soup, more for a smoother, more blended experience.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Remove the pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a silky, creamy consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of white wine to elevate the soup's overall taste profile and complexity.

How to Store and Reheat Broccoli Cheese Soup the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the soup will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore the creamy consistency if needed. Avoid boiling to prevent separating the dairy ingredients.

What to Pair with Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, freshly baked sourdough or rustic baguette to dip into the creamy soup, soaking up all those cheesy, vegetable-packed flavors.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness of the cheese and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
• Match with Crispy Salad: Toss together a light green salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy texture and add a fresh crunch.
• Serve with Roasted Protein: Add grilled chicken or baked fish on the side to transform this soup into a complete, satisfying meal with added protein and variety.

Variations That Keep This Soup Exciting

• Spicy Southwest Soup: Replace broccoli and cauliflower with roasted green chiles, jalapeños, and diced bell peppers. Add cumin and chili powder for extra heat. Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese and garnish with cilantro.
• Lean Protein Boost: Incorporate diced chicken breast or cooked ground turkey during the vegetable sautéing stage. Use low-fat milk instead of half and half and choose reduced-fat cheese for a healthier version.
• Vegetarian Garden Blend: Substitute chicken base with vegetable broth. Add extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and mushrooms for more depth. Use nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese alternative for creamy texture.
• Rustic Roasted Vegetable Soup: Roast broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and onions in the oven before adding to the soup for enhanced caramelized flavor. Include fresh thyme and rosemary for an earthy dimension.

Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cheese Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy broccoli, cauliflower, and cheese soup blends hearty vegetables with rich, melted cheddar for a comforting meal. Warm spoons of this soup deliver a luxurious experience that satisfies hunger and warms souls on chilly days.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 3 cups fresh cauliflower florets
• 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 medium to large)
• 1 cup diced celery (about 2 large ribs)
• 1 cup diced onion (about 1 small to medium)

Dairy and Liquid Components:

• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup half and half
• 4 cups water
• 4 teaspoons chicken base (such as Better Than Bouillon)

Seasonings and Thickening Agents:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (regular or light, not extra virgin)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium temperature. Introduce diced carrots, celery, and onions into the pan, seasoning gently with salt and pepper. Allow vegetables to transform and soften, developing tender edges for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Sprinkle flour across the aromatic vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth base. Cook for one minute, ensuring complete integration of flour with the sautéed ingredients.
3. Whisk chicken base into water, creating a flavorful liquid foundation. Pour this mixture into the pot alongside broccoli and cauliflower florets, blending ingredients thoroughly.
4. Elevate soup temperature until it reaches a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot, allowing vegetables to tenderize and meld flavors for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and utilize a potato masher to break down vegetables, crafting a rustic texture that balances between chunky and smooth.
6. Introduce half and half, transforming the soup’s consistency. Gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until a luxurious, velvety essence emerges. Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and pepper according to preference.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls. Optional: Embellish with a sprinkle of extra cheese or fresh herb garnish for visual and flavor enhancement.

Notes

• Customize the soup’s texture by mashing vegetables to your preferred chunkiness or smoothness.
• Create a lighter version by using low-fat half and half and reduced-fat cheese without sacrificing rich flavor.
• Prep vegetables in advance to cut down cooking time and streamline the entire soup-making process.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 292
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 635 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 53 mg