Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Name: Broccoli Cheese Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 4 heads broccoli, cut into 1-inch pieces; Olive oil, for drizzling; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter; 1 whole onion, diced; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups whole milk; 2 cups half-and-half; Pinch nutmeg; 3 cups grated cheese (mild Cheddar, sharp Cheddar, Jack, etc.), plus more for garnish, optional; 1 cup chicken broth, optional

Ingredients

4 heads broccoli, cut into 1-inch pieces
Olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
1 whole onion, diced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half
Pinch nutmeg
3 cups grated cheese (mild Cheddar, sharp Cheddar, Jack, etc.), plus more for garnish, optional
1 cup chicken broth, optional

PREP TIME 10m	COOK TIME 35m	TOTAL TIME 45m
YIELD 10 servings

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Remove 2 cups of the broccoli florets, cut in half, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet cut-side down and bake until the florets begin to crisp and turn slightly brown.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour on top. Stir to combine and cook until the flour is absorbed and smells lightly toasted, 1 minute or so. Add the milk and half-and-half. Add the nutmeg, then the broccoli, a small dash of salt and plenty of black pepper. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the broccoli is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in the cheese and allow to melt.
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup as is, mash with a potato masher to break up the broccoli a bit, or transfer to a blender in two batches and puree completely. (If you puree in a blender, return the soup to the heat to heat back up. Splash in some chicken broth if needed for thinning.) Garnish with the toasted broccoli or grated cheese and serve.

Lunch Side Dishes Soups