Description
Hearty Broccoli Potato Cheese Soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending creamy potatoes with sharp cheddar and tender broccoli florets. Warm spoons of this classic soup promise pure satisfaction for hungry souls seeking rich, homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 3 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquid and Dairy:
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm butter in a generously sized pot over medium flame, introducing finely diced onions and allow them to become translucent and delicate, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce aromatic minced garlic and sauté briefly until its fragrance permeates the kitchen.
- Tumble cubed potatoes into the pot, accompanied by rich chicken broth. Elevate heat to achieve a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, permitting potatoes to tenderize for 10-15 minutes.
- Simultaneously, prepare broccoli by immersing in vigorously boiling water for a crisp blanching process, then rapidly drain and reserve.
- Once potatoes surrender their firmness, transform the mixture into a silky consistency using an immersion blender, or carefully transfer to a standard blender in measured batches.
- Incorporate heavy cream, allowing shredded cheddar to melt seamlessly while seasoning with salt, pepper, and dried thyme, stirring until achieving a luxurious, uniform texture.
- Gently fold blanched broccoli into the creamy base, permitting an additional 3-5 minutes of gentle heating to marry flavors.
- Calibrate seasoning through careful tasting, adjusting with subtle enhancements as desired.
- Ladle into warm bowls, crowning with delicate fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Potato Precision: Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and a smooth texture throughout the soup.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Use room temperature shredded cheese and add gradually while stirring to prevent clumping and create a silky consistency.
- Broccoli Brightness: Blanch broccoli briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture, preventing overcooking that can make it mushy.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, and use lactose-free cheese and cream for a dairy-sensitive diet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg