High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
This High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a creamy, comforting dish that combines nutrient-rich broccoli and a savory blend of cheddar and cottage cheese for an extra protein boost. Perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, this soup features the smoky warmth of paprika and a velvety texture achieved by blending part of the soup. It is easy to prepare on the stovetop, requiring simple ingredients and minimal time, making it a wholesome and delicious choice for all ages.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chopped broccoli
Spices & Flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Liquids & Dairy
- 3 cups vegetable broth (not-chicken style preferred)
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup low fat cottage cheese, blended
Seasonings
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables soften and begin to caramelize.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for one minute, allowing the garlic to release its aroma without burning.
- Add Spices and Flour: Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and flour. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly to coat the vegetables with the flour and form a roux-like base to thicken the soup.
- Add Broth and Broccoli, Simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the chopped broccoli. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 8 to 9 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
- Add Milk and Heat Gently: Stir in the 1% milk, lowering the heat and warming the soup without boiling to prevent curdling.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the blended low-fat cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until melted and smooth. Keep the heat low to avoid separating the dairy.
- Blend Soup: Transfer about one cup of the soup to a blender, venting carefully to allow steam to escape, and blend until smooth. Return the blended soup to the pot and stir well. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup directly in the pot to achieve a creamy texture with some chunks remaining.
- Season and Serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
- To avoid curdling, keep the heat low when adding milk and cheeses.
- Using blended cottage cheese boosts the protein content and adds creaminess without excess fat.
- Partially blending the soup creates a nice creamy texture while retaining some broccoli pieces for bite.
- This soup can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, high protein soup, healthy broccoli soup, low fat soup, creamy broccoli soup, vegetable soup, cottage cheese soup
