Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Soup: A Simple, Delicious Recipe
This creamy cheddar broccoli soup recipe is the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and surprisingly healthy! This recipe is optimized for search engines, incorporating relevant keywords and a user-friendly format.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 4-6 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups milk (whole milk recommended for creaminess, but you can use skim or almond milk for a lighter version)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg for added warmth
- Optional: Croutons or chopped chives for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions:
This recipe is designed to be straightforward and easy to follow, even for novice cooks.
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Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Don't burn the garlic!
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Add the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the pot and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender-crisp.
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Simmer in Broth: Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
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Blend for Creamy Texture: Carefully transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender directly in the pot). Blend until smooth and creamy. Important: If using a regular blender, vent the lid slightly to prevent pressure buildup.
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Stir in Cheese and Season: Return the blended soup to the pot. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using) until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through.
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Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with croutons or chopped chives, if desired. Enjoy your warm, comforting bowl of cheddar broccoli soup!
Tips and Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Make it richer: Use heavy cream instead of milk for an extra luxurious texture.
- Add protein: Cooked chicken or bacon would be a delicious addition.
- Make it ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
SEO Considerations:
This recipe includes several SEO best practices:
- Keyword Optimization: The title and throughout the article uses relevant keywords like "cheddar broccoli soup," "recipe," "creamy," "easy."
- Semantic SEO: Related terms like "comfort food," "broccoli florets," and "sharp cheddar cheese" are naturally incorporated.
- Structured Data: While not explicitly shown here, this content could benefit from schema markup to further improve search engine understanding.
- Readability: The recipe uses a clear, concise, and easy-to-follow structure for optimal user experience.
This delicious and easy cheddar broccoli soup recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Enjoy!
