High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Print)

Creamy, protein-rich, veggie-packed soup with cheddar and broccoli, ideal for cozy, balanced meals.

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tablespoon butter
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 1 stalk celery, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Thickener & Seasoning

06 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Liquids & Vegetables

09 - 3 cups vegetable broth
10 - 4 cups chopped broccoli
11 - 2 cups 1% milk

→ Cheese Blend

12 - 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
13 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended

# Steps:

01 - Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
02 - Add the garlic and cook for one minute over medium heat.
03 - Add the smoked paprika and flour, stirring to coat the vegetables evenly. Cook for one minute.
04 - Add the vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8-9 minutes until the broccoli is tender.
05 - Reduce the heat to low and add the milk. Cook until the soup is warm, ensuring the milk does not boil to prevent curdling.
06 - Add the blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
07 - Transfer one cup of soup to a blender and puree, allowing steam to escape through the blender vent. Return the blended portion to the pot and stir. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to achieve a partially smooth texture.
08 - Add salt and pepper to taste, as needed. Serve warm.

# Notes:

01 - To prevent milk from curdling, ensure the heat stays low after adding dairy.
02 - The soup can be blended to your desired texture, either partially or fully smooth.