Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Printable)

Velvety blend of broccoli and sharp cheddar enriched with creamy Greek yogurt for a light, comforting dish.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1 pound 2 ounces), cut into florets
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
07 - 1 cup low-fat milk

→ Dairy

08 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat recommended)

→ Pantry

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
02 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until no dry flour remains.
03 - Gradually add vegetable broth while stirring, ensuring the mixture stays smooth.
04 - Add broccoli florets, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes until broccoli is very tender.
05 - Use an immersion blender to purée the soup directly in the pot until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches and return to the pot.
06 - Stir in milk and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook over low heat, stirring, until cheese is melted and soup is creamy (do not boil).
07 - Remove from heat and whisk in Greek yogurt until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with extra cheddar or a dollop of yogurt if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Greek yogurt trick delivers all the creaminess of traditional recipes without heavy cream weighing you down.
  • Sharp cheddar does the real flavor work here, so you end up using less cheese overall but tasting more of it.
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel effortless.
  • Freezes beautifully and tastes even better the next day when flavors have gotten to know each other.
02 -
  • Never boil the soup after adding cheese or yogurt; high heat will cause both to break down and turn grainy, undoing all your careful work.
  • If you want a chunkier texture, reserve a handful of raw broccoli florets before blending and stir them in at the end—it adds texture and keeps some structure.
03 -
  • Shred your cheese fresh from a block instead of using pre-shredded; it melts infinitely smoother and creamier into the soup.
  • Make the soup up to the point of adding yogurt, then refrigerate and add the yogurt just before serving for maximum freshness and better texture.
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