Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Name: Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds broccoli (about 1 large head); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 medium yellow onion, medium dice; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 medium russet potato (about 8 ounces); 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water; 2 cups water; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 5 ounces); 2 tablespoons sour cream

Soup Cheddar Broccoli Christmas Vegetarian Sour Cream Dairy Onions Potatoes Dinner Weeknight Dinner Cheese Fall Winter Comfort Food Vegetables Easy

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4 to 6 servings Easy

Total: 1 hr 10 mins

10 Ratings

Ingredients (10)

1 1/2 pounds broccoli (about 1 large head)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, medium dice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 medium russet potato (about 8 ounces)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
2 cups water
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 5 ounces)
2 tablespoons sour cream

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Nutritional Information

Calories312
Fat18.07g
Saturated fat8.35g
Trans fat0.42g
Carbs24.71g
Fiber6.14g
Sugar4.52g
Protein17.63g
Cholesterol39.27mg
Sodium1268.3mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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Broccoli and cheese are to soup what peanut butter and jelly are to sandwiches. Adding potato and sour cream gives this hearty winter soup a creamy texture with a touch of tang.

This recipe was featured as part of our Winter Ingredients photo gallery.

by Amy Wisniewski

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There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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Instructions

1Remove the florets from the broccoli head and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Place half in a large bowl and half in a small bowl; set aside. Cut off the bottom of the stalk and use a vegetable peeler to trim away the woody outer layer. Cut the stalk into 1-inch pieces and place them in the large bowl with the florets; set aside.
2Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
3Meanwhile, peel the potato and cut it into 1-inch pieces. Add the potato, chicken broth, water, and reserved pieces of stalk and florets from the large bowl to the saucepan, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potato pieces and broccoli stalks can be easily pierced with a knife, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the remaining florets into 1/4-inch pieces; set aside.
4Using a blender, purée the soup in batches until smooth, removing the small cap from the blender lid (the pour lid) and covering the space with a kitchen towel (this allows steam to escape and prevents the blender lid from popping off). Place the blended soup in a clean saucepan and return it to low heat. Add the reserved broccoli florets and simmer until they are tender and can easily be pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cheese and sour cream. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.