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
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 oz sharp 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 or 1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon vegetable base)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for about 10 minutes while stirring frequently until the vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking over medium heat for one minute to release its aroma without burning.
- Incorporate Flour and Paprika: Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and flour, stirring constantly for one minute to coat the vegetables and form a roux that will thicken the soup.
- Add Broth and Broccoli: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the chopped broccoli. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing the broccoli to cook and soften for 8-9 minutes.
- Stir in Milk: Lower the heat and add the milk. Warm the soup gently over low heat to prevent curdling.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the blended low-fat cottage cheese and the shredded sharp cheddar until fully melted and incorporated. Avoid increasing the heat to prevent the milk from curdling.
- Blend the Soup: Transfer one cup of the soup into a blender and blend with steam vent open to avoid pressure build-up. Alternatively, use an immersion blender carefully to partially blend the soup to desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Return the blended soup to the pot, season with salt and pepper to taste, and warm gently before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with your preferred gluten-free flour blend.
- Using low-fat dairy options keeps the soup lighter while maintaining creaminess.
- Blending part of the soup provides a creamy texture while leaving some broccoli chunks for bite.
- Do not increase heat too much after adding milk and cheese to avoid curdling.
- Vegetable broth can be replaced with homemade or store-bought for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat