Description

A creamy, nutritious High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup that combines tender broccoli with sharp cheddar cheese and cottage cheese for added protein. This comforting soup is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, offering a delicious way to enjoy vegetables with a rich, cheesy flavor and a smooth texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

1 large yellow onion, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chopped broccoli

Dairy

1 tablespoon butter
2 cups 1% milk
4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1 cup low fat cottage cheese, blended

Others

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
3 cups vegetable broth (not-chicken style)
Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat to start building the soup’s flavor base.
Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables soften.
Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, allowing the garlic aroma to develop.
Add spices and flour: Sprinkle the smoked paprika and flour over the vegetables. Cook for one minute, stirring continuously so the flour coats the vegetables and cooks out the raw taste.
Add broth and broccoli: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the chopped broccoli. Bring the mixture to a simmer to begin cooking the broccoli.
Simmer the broccoli: Let the soup simmer for 8-9 minutes until the broccoli is softened and tender.
Add milk: Lower the heat and stir in the 1% milk, warming the soup gently without boiling.
Incorporate cheeses: Add the blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese to the soup. Stir gently until the cheeses melt thoroughly. Keep the heat low to prevent curdling.
Blend the soup: Remove one cup of the soup and blend it in a blender, allowing steam to escape to avoid pressure buildup. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to gently blend until smooth and creamy. Return the blended portion to the pot.
Season and serve: Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Stir well and serve warm.

Notes

Using blended cottage cheese boosts the protein content without compromising creaminess.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
To avoid curdling, keep the heat low when adding milk and cheeses and do not boil the soup after adding dairy.
You can adjust the thickness by blending more or less soup according to your preference.
Smoked paprika adds a subtle depth and smoky flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Sauteing, Simmering, Blending
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, high protein soup, healthy broccoli soup, creamy broccoli soup, vegetable soup with cheese