Sometimes you just need to be comforted with a big bowl of hot, creamy, cheesy broccoli soup but don’t want (or need) all of the fat and calories. I recently made a lower-fat version: Skinny Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
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During our recent cross-country road trip, I noticed my clothes getting a little tighter about half-way through the trip. All of that eating and sitting while traveling was starting to take it’s toll on my butt waistline! I started watching what (and how much) I ate and have lost a few pounds so far.
I want to be able to still enjoy the foods I love with a little compromise. I used lower-fat ingredients in this recipe, but one thing I did NOT do is use margarine instead of butter. That is not an option for me… I just used a little over half of the butter that my original recipe calls for. Guess what? I hardly noticed a difference overall!
So going low(er)-fat in this recipe bought me a few extra calories for sopping that soup up with a crunchy and soft french baguette… my all-time favorite way to enjoy Broccoli Cheddar Soup!
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Skinny Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: About 6 servings 1x
Description
A lower fat version of traditional Broccoli Cheddar Soup… you’ll never miss the fat!
Ingredients
- 1 (24 ounce) bag frozen baby broccoli florets
- 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1–1/2 cups chopped onion
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2–1/2 cups low-fat 1% milk
- 8 ounces reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 bay leaf
- 1–1/2 teaspoons salt (more or less, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (more or less, to taste)
Instructions
- Place frozen broccoli florets and carrots in large pot, cover with water.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat and boil for 3 minutes.
- Drain vegetables in a colander and set aside.
- In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onions and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
- SLOWLY add in flour, about a tablespoon at a time, while stirring with a whisk constantly.
- Once all of the flour is added and there is a nice paste formed, slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly with whisk.
- Add milk slowly, continuing to stir.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Once mixture reaches a boil, slowly add cheese, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted.
- Add broccoli and carrots, salt, pepper, garlic, nutmeg, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Megan says
I think it’s great! This is my first homemade broccoli and cheddar soup. I added extra garlic (so I could use the whole clove) and more salt than I thought. I also used beef broth instead of chicken because I had one sitting in my pantry. I’m pleased with the result and will make this again.
★★★★★
Amy says
Thank you, Megan… I’m so glad you enjoyed the soup! 🙂
Bryan says
Thought it was bland. Followed recipe to a T. Nutmeg was overwhelming and felt it was unneeded. “Salt to taste,” is an understatement.
★★
Debbie says
This was delicious creamy my 1st time making broccoli cheddar made recipe to exact and wouldn’t change love it !
★★★★★
Anjellica says
This was so good. I’m trying to watch my calories but I didn’t want to use preshredded cheese so I used regular extra sharp. It upped my calories to 331 cal per serving but that’s still great. It was very creamy and flavorful especially with a slice of sourdough bread to
Dip. How can I store this?
★★★★★
Amy says
Hi Anjellica, Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. So glad you enjoyed it!
Marge says
A great way to get a lot of vitamins/veggies in the diet. We used regular cheese – but – because of the 2-1/2 cups of 1% milk it’s still healthier than using the cream or half n half found in other recipes. Next time I think I’ll double the small quantities of nutmeg and garlic because I enjoy them and couldn’t taste them.
★★★★★
Katja says
Very yummy and easy. My husband wants me to make it again.
★★★★★