Description
Creamy, comforting High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup delivers a nutritious punch with minimal effort. Packed with wholesome ingredients and rich flavor, you’ll savor each spoonful of this satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein-Rich Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup (225 grams) low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) 1% milk
- 4 cups (400 grams) chopped broccoli
Vegetable Base:
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 2 large carrots (peeled and diced)
- 1 stalk celery (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) butter
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a spacious stockpot, dissolve butter over medium heat until it shimmers and coats the bottom of the pan. Add finely diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for approximately 10 minutes while stirring periodically until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Introduce minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence. Dust smoked paprika and flour across the vegetable mixture, thoroughly coating and stirring to create a uniform base. Toast the flour for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Stream vegetable broth into the pot and incorporate chopped broccoli. Allow the liquid to reach a gentle simmer, maintaining medium-low heat for 8-9 minutes until broccoli becomes fork-tender but retains vibrant green color.
- Reduce heat to low. Gently fold in milk, blended cottage cheese, and shredded cheddar, stirring continuously to prevent scorching. Ensure cheese melts smoothly without allowing the mixture to boil, which could cause milk separation.
- Extract one cup of soup and purée in a blender, carefully venting steam to prevent pressure buildup. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, creating a luxurious texture with some vegetable chunks remaining.
- Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, adjusting to personal preference. Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately for optimal flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Boost protein content by adding cooked chicken, turkey, or tofu cubes for extra nutrition and texture variation.
- Swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt or silken tofu for different protein sources and creamy consistency.
- Create a dairy-free version using nutritional yeast and plant-based milk to maintain rich flavor while accommodating vegan diets.
- Prevent cheese from breaking by removing pot from direct heat before adding dairy and stirring gently to maintain smooth, velvety texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg