Description
Comforting creamy broccoli cheddar delight brings warmth to dinner tables with its rich, cheesy embrace. Sharp cheddar and tender broccoli meld into a luxurious blend you’ll savor down to the last satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 12 ounces (340 grams) grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 32 ounces (907 grams) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cups half-and-half
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (about 1 onion)
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation Ingredients:
- 7 tablespoons (105 milliliters) unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Hearty buttered bread or bread bowls (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Awaken the aromatic foundation by gently warming butter and olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature. Introduce finely diced onions, transforming them into a golden landscape of flavor.
- Weave in garlic, smoked paprika, ground mustard, and a whisper of cayenne, allowing the spices to bloom and release their intoxicating essence. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the sensory experience.
- Melt the remaining butter, then gracefully incorporate flour, creating a silky roux. Whisk diligently for two minutes, watching the mixture develop a pale, luxurious complexity.
- Stream chicken broth into the roux, ensuring a smooth, lump-free integration. Follow with a gentle cascade of half-and-half, reducing heat to maintain a delicate simmer. Optional bay leaf can join the symphony of flavors.
- While the liquid melody simmers and thickens, deconstruct broccoli into delicate florets and transform cheddar into fine, melting strands.
- Introduce broccoli and carrots into the creamy base, allowing them to surrender their crispness and absorb the surrounding richness.
- Extinguish the heat and fold cheddar cheese into the soup, creating a velvety, molten landscape. Taste and recalibrate seasoning as needed.
- Present the soup in warm vessels, optionally nestled within buttered bread bowls for a decadent culinary embrace.
Notes
- Elevate your soup game with this restaurant-worthy broccoli cheddar creation that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious comfort meal.
- Precision in technique matters: whisking the roux continuously prevents lumps and ensures a silky, smooth base for the soup.
- Smoked paprika and ground mustard add unexpected depth, creating a flavor profile that goes beyond traditional broccoli cheddar soup.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper – a little brings warmth, while more delivers a spicy kick that tingles the palate.
- Choose sharp cheddar for maximum flavor impact, allowing the cheese to melt completely and create a rich, creamy texture.
- Bread bowls aren’t just presentation; they’re an edible vessel that soaks up every delicious drop of this hearty soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg