Ingredients
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 & Eggs
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup low fat cottage cheese, blended
Pantry
- 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, creating a rich base for the soup.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the butter and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until softened and fragrant.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute on medium heat to release its aroma.
- Add spices and flour: Mix in the smoked paprika and flour, cooking for 1 minute while stirring to coat the vegetables evenly and begin thickening the soup.
- Add broth and broccoli: Pour in the vegetable broth and add chopped broccoli. Bring the mixture to a simmer to cook the broccoli thoroughly.
- Simmer broccoli: Let the broccoli simmer for 8-9 minutes until it is tender and cooked through.
- Add milk: Stir in the 1% milk and continue cooking over low heat just until the soup is warmed, avoiding boiling.
- Incorporate cheeses: Add the blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring gently until melted into the soup. Keep the heat low to prevent curdling.
- Blend soup: Transfer one cup of soup to a blender, venting steam carefully, and blend until smooth. Return blended soup to the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to achieve a creamy consistency without removing the soup.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper as needed, taste-testing and adjusting seasoning for final flavor balance.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour to make this soup safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Low-fat dairy options help keep the soup lighter while maintaining protein content.
- Be careful to cook the soup gently after adding dairy to avoid curdling.
- An immersion blender is a handy tool for safely blending hot soups directly in the pot.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- This soup freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat