Description
Comforting high-protein broccoli cheddar soup delivers creamy goodness packed with nutrition and flavor. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a nourishing meal you’ll crave on chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 pound potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and diced
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Optional Garnishes:
- Crispy bacon bits
- Green onions
- Extra cheese
Instructions
- Combine potatoes, broccoli, onion, carrots, garlic, broth, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in the slow cooker, creating a flavorful vegetable base.
- Cover and slow cook at low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing vegetables to become tender and infuse their flavors.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, adjusting the consistency to personal preference – either leaving some vegetable chunks or creating a completely smooth texture.
- If an immersion blender is unavailable, carefully transfer soup portions to a standard blender, process, and return to the slow cooker.
- Incorporate heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the soup becomes creamy and the cheese fully melts into the mixture.
- Transfer the hot soup into serving bowls, enhancing presentation with optional garnishes like crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or additional cheese sprinkles.
Notes
- Ensure vegetables are chopped uniformly for consistent cooking and texture throughout the soup.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more intense, rich flavor profile that enhances the overall taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.
- Consider adding protein-packed ingredients like cooked shredded chicken or white beans to boost nutritional value and make the soup more filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg