Garden to Table: Easy Homemade Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

The reward of a vegetable garden is using your fresh produce in delicious garden-to-table meals. This broccoli and cheddar cheese soup is much easier to make than you might think. Learn how to use your garden-fresh broccoli to make this delicious, nourishing soup.

How to make broccoli and cheddar soup

I knew I'd hit the jackpot when I made this broccoli and cheddar soup for the first time.

My husband, who is not really a soup lover, actually told me that this soup, served with a big hunk of crusty French bread with some melted cheese on top, would be enough for dinner some night.

Coming from my steak-and-potatoes guy, that's high praise.

Homemade Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

The wonderful thing about soups is that they are generally pretty easy and quick to make. This one is no exception.

If you need to stretch a meal for an extra mouth or two, soup is an easy and inexpensive way to do it.

This delicious recipe takes about half an hour to whip up, yet it tastes like you spent all day over a hot stove.

Before you begin cooking

I like to chop all the vegetables and measure out all the spices before I begin. That way I know I have everything I need, and there's no last minute, frantic scramble trying to find the jar of tarragon in my spice cabinet.

Plus I don't have to worry about the roux (the butter and flour mixture) scorching while I measure out the next ingredient.

This recipe will make four servings, depending on how big your version of "serving size" is.

Hubby and I had a big bowl each while we waited for the rest of our dinner to cook, so in our house, it made two servings.

Feel free to double this if you really like soup or if you have more mouths to feed.

How to make this easy, homemade broccoli and cheese soup

You'll find the ingredients and the directions below, but first, here are step-by-step photos, directions and tips so you can make this soup like a pro.

Start by chopping the onion, garlic and broccoli. Measure the spices and seasonings, and grate the cheddar cheese.

Melt the butter in a heavy pan. Add the chopped onions and saute over medium heat until the onions are translucent. This might take as long as ten minutes.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Garlic cooks much faster than onions so it doesn't need to cook as long. Don't let it burn.

Sprinkle the flour over the butter and onions, and whisk it together so there won't be any lumps.

No whisk? You can use the bottom of a fork instead.

Cook the roux (the fancy name for the butter and flour base) for several minutes so the flour won't taste raw, but be careful not to burn it.

Add the cream and whisk it again.

Heat to bubbling, then whisk in the chicken broth. (I used homemade turkey broth.)

Add the spices, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the mixture. Simmer for about 20 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.

If you're using fresh broccoli, add it and simmer for another 20-25 minutes. I used frozen broccoli so I didn't have to cook it as long, just until the broccoli was tender.

Remove the bay leaf. Let the soup cool a bit. Then put most of the soup into your blender and mix for a few seconds. Don't puree it, but do chop the broccoli. You don't want chunky soup either.

Return the soup to the saucepan and add the shredded cheese, stirring well while it melts into the soup.

Serve with a handful of cheese on top of the bowl.

Husband-approved broccoli and cheddar soup!

Better use a big bowl - this soup deserves a big serving!

Broccoli and cheddar soup ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/8 cup flour
2 cups of chicken broth
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons dried tarragon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of broccoli, chopped fine
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (sharp or extra sharp is best)

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the diced onion and cook over medium heat until the onions are translucent, about ten minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and butter and whisk together to avoid lumps. Cook this for a few minutes so the soup won't have a "raw flour" taste.

Whisk in the cream and heat to bubbling. Whisk in the chicken broth. Add the spices, bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 20 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Add the broccoli and continue simmering for another 20-25 minutes until the broccoli is tender.

Remove the bay leaf. Put the soup in the blender and blend to desired consistency, in batches if necessary. Return soup to saucepan, add shredded cheese and stir while the cheese melts. Serve soup with a handful of cheese on top of the bowl.