High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
This High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, comforting, and nutritious meal packed with fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, and blended cottage cheese for an extra protein boost. It’s a perfect dish for a wholesome lunch or dinner, simple to prepare on the stovetop and ready in just 35 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 4 cups chopped broccoli
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup low fat cottage cheese, blended
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 cups vegetable broth (not-chicken style preferred)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Cook Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, peeled and diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute over medium heat, stirring to blend flavors.
- Add Seasoning and Flour: Stir in the smoked paprika and flour. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to coat the vegetables evenly and to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Add Broth and Broccoli: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the chopped broccoli. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer Broccoli: Let the broccoli simmer for 8-9 minutes until it softens but still retains some texture.
- Add Milk: Lower the heat and add the 1% milk. Heat gently until the soup is warm, being careful not to boil to prevent curdling.
- Incorporate Cheeses: Stir in the blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and fully combined. Keep the heat low to avoid curdling the dairy.
- Blend Soup: Transfer one cup of the hot soup to a blender, allowing steam to escape through the vent, and blend until smooth. Return the blended soup to the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot to gently blend the soup to your desired consistency.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavor of your soup.
Notes
- Use low-fat dairy options to keep the soup lighter while maintaining protein content.
- Blending part of the soup adds creaminess without needing cream.
- Keep the heat low when adding milk and cheeses to prevent curdling.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- The smoked paprika provides a subtle depth of flavor; you can adjust the amount to taste or omit if preferred.
