How To Make a Healthier and Protein-Rich Broccoli Cheddar Soup
If you’re looking for a protein-rich soup packed with flavor, then this broccoli cheddar soup is for you! With the addition of blended cottage cheese, it has a delicious creaminess while packing a punch of protein. Serve it with fresh bread for a perfect meal!
I’m always looking for ways to balance flavor and health, especially when cooking for my family. This healthier version of broccoli cheddar soup is one of my go-to meals because it’s got a boost of protein, uses simple ingredients, and is easy to customize. Plus, it’s perfect for cozy (and chilly!) days when you want something comforting but also nutritious.
What is Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
This healthier broccoli cheddar soup is a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food. With added protein from blended cottage cheese and rich chicken bone broth, this recipe provides a delicious creamy texture and bold flavor with lots of great nutrients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and can easily be made gluten-free!
Why make this Healthier Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
Broccoli cheddar soup offers a rich, creamy texture without all the unnecessary additives that comes with most cheese-based dishes. Using cottage cheese and milk helps keep the delicious, velvety consistency that makes broccoli cheddar soup so satisfying! It’s a healthier twist that your whole family will love, and the extra protein keeps you full for longer. Here’s how:
- It’s packed with protein. Blended cottage cheese adds extra protein to this soup, making it a filling and healthy meal.
- It uses simple ingredients. This soup is easy to make with pantry staple ingredients like broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, and chicken broth.
- It can easily be gluten-free. Swap regular flour for gluten-free flour to make this soup, well, gluten-free.
- It’s customizable. Switch up the ingredients as you see fit!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredients
- Olive or avocado oil
- Yellow onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- All-purpose or gluten-free flour: Flour is for making a roux to help thicken the soup. If going gluten-free, I like the blend from Bob’s Red Mill.
- Butter
- Smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper
- Chicken bone broth: I like to add bone broth for extra nutrients! My go-to brand is Kettle & Fire from Costco or Trader Joe’s brand.
- Broccoli florets
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar: I like to buy and shred a block (fresh is better than shredded in a bag).
- Cottage cheese: We like to buy Nancy’s Organic products from Azure Standard.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Variations
- Creamier version: Use heavy cream instead of milk for an even richer taste.
- Broccoli-free: If you’re not into broccoli, swap it for diced potatoes to make it a cheesy potato soup.
- Toppings: Switch up your toppings! Crumbled cooked bacon, a dollop of sour cream, fresh chives, or a combination of all the above are yummy.
I hope you love this recipe!
Healthier Broccoli Cheddar Soup With Extra Protein
This healthier broccoli cheddar soup recipe is protein-rich and easily customizable for a gluten-free option.
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tbsp. olive or avocado oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2-3 large carrots, peeled and diced or shredded
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour) (for making a roux)
- 3 Tbsp. butter (for making a roux)
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups chicken bone broth
- 4 cups chopped broccoli (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups milk
- 6 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup cottage cheese, blended
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large pot and turn the heat to medium. (I like to use a Dutch oven.)
- Add the diced onion, carrot and celery and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the garlic and continue to cook over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Add the oregano, paprika, salt and pepper and stir well.
- Add the broth and broccoli and bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes (or a bit less) until soft.
- While the soup is simmering, melt the 3 Tbsp of butter in a small pan to make the roux. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk well until combined. Allow to sit on the heat for a few minutes, then remove.
- Add the roux and milk to the soup, then cook over low heat for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. While this is cooking, add the cottage cheese to the blender to create a smooth consistency.
- Turn off the stove, then add the blended cottage cheese and shredded cheese to the pot. Stir until it both are melted and well combined.
- Transfer about 1/3 of the soup to a blender and blend, allowing steam to escape through the vent. Transfer the blended soup back to the pot. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender to gently blend the soup to your desired consistency.
- Top with a sprinkle of cheese and serve with fresh bread!
Notes
- You can easily use frozen broccoli for this recipe (I usually do!). Allow the frozen broccoli to thaw on the counter for an hour or so before you make the soup. Pour it into a colander, and rinse with water to remove any ice crystals. Then, use as you would fresh broccoli.
- Use heavy cream instead of milk for an even creamier, richer taste.
- If you’re not into broccoli, swap it for diced potatoes to make it a cheesy potato soup.
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Love this! Trying to add extra protein into my diet. Wish I used a better bone broth, but it still tastes great.
Mine didn’t thicken with the flour. Should I add more? I don’t want to overdo it and have the whole thing taste like flour.
I’m glad it tasted great! Just to make sure, you melted the butter and added flour to it in a separate pan from the soup, correct? So melt the butter in a small pan (separate from the soup), add the flour, and stir it for a few minutes until it’s pretty thick. Then you add that to the soup and let the soup simmer a bit to thicken.
If you did all that and still wanted it thicker, you could increase the amount of butter and flour for your roux! I would start with 1&1/2 the amounts listed, but you could even double it to thicken more. Hope that helps!
Thanks for reading!