Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2024)

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Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (1)We’re serving a creamy comforting broccoli cheese soup that is easy on the waistline. Today’s Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe will make your mouth and your hips happy!

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2)

As a mom, sometimes I have to stick to my guns, and sometimes I have to know when to give a little.Lines are often fuzzy and it can be tricky to determine which way to lean in any given situation.

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (3)

For instance, it’s important to stick to your guns when you discover one of your children is not wearing underwear to school. Or when brushing one’s teeth is suddenly considered optional. Or when you find a stash of matches hiding under your child’s bed. These examples may or may not have happened in our house at some point in time.

However, it’s less important to be ridged about meal time. As long as I know my kids are getting the nutrition they need, we can let a few treatsslide here and there.

Best of all, sometimes there is a happy medium that satisfies everyone in the family.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (4)

This creamy Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe is a win-win for all of us.

It’s rich and cheesy, just like my classic decadent broccoli cheddar soup recipe. However, I used low fat milk instead of cream, reduced the cheese a little, and upped the veggieintake.

Therefore myLightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe is slightly brothy, which I actually prefer, and is remorse free.

Loaded with flavor from thesharp cheddar cheese and lots of aromatic veggies, you won’t even miss the excess fat and calories, in this revamped soup recipe. I promise.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (5)

I’ve learned giving a in little on the comfort foods my kids love, gives me anopportunity to lighten up some of our traditional family favorites!

I’ve also learned that squeezing important nutrients into recipes, makes my kids healthier and gives them the energy and focus they need throughout the day.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (6)

I always try to start them out in the morning with protein to keep them full throughout the morning. This can come from eggs, nuts, or even a cool frothy glass of milk.

We oftenforget all the benefits of a simple glass of milk, like 9 essential nutrients including high quality protein, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.

Milk’s ingredient list is short – simply milk and vitamins A and D, plus it is a farm-to-table food. No hormones, crazy chemicals, or preservatives added.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (7)

I was thrilled to find a way to incorporate low fat milk into today’s Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe. Not only does it reduce the calories while retaining a creamy consistency. It helps me meet the daily quota of important nutrients for my little guys!

To find out more about the benefits of adding milk toyour diet visit MilkTruth.com. Also visit MilkLife on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest, and Instagram.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (8)

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4.67 stars (6 reviews)

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe - An easy broccoli cheese soup recipe with reduced fat and calories, but amazing flavor!

Servings: 6

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic. Saute for 3-4minutes to soften. Then add the flour and stir well so that the flour coats the onion pieces.

  • Pour in the broth and low-fat milk. Then stir in the broccoli florets, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the largest broccoli florets are tender.

  • Finally stir in the shredded cheese. Stir to thicken the soup as the cheese melts. Then turn off the heat and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 325kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 1359mg, Potassium: 621mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1260IU, Vitamin C: 63.5mg, Calcium: 580mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

Disclosure: The post is sponsored by MilkLife. All dairy loving opinions are my own.

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do I thicken up my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

HOW CAN YOU MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP THICKER?
  1. You can mix equal parts butter and flour to form a thick paste, then stir that into the soup.
  2. You can whisk some cornstarch into cold water or broth until the cornstarch is dissolved, and stir that into the soup.
  3. You can add a bit more cheese.
Feb 6, 2019

Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›

Is broccoli soup good for you? Most of the time, broccoli cheese soup isn't the healthiest option since it has lots of cheese and heavy cream. This version is lightened up with evaporated skim milk and less cheese. It also uses extra vegetables that are blended to create some of the creaminess in the soup.

Why won t my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Grate the cheese yourself.

Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a lusciously creamy soup. To ensure that your broccoli cheddar soup has the best smooth and creamy texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

Is panera broccoli cheddar soup healthy? ›

Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup is extremely high in fat and calories. This recipe uses JUST enough butter and swaps out the heavy cream for evaporated milk to keep this version of broccoli cheese soup creamy and rich, yet lower in fat and calories. Family-Favorite Recipe.

How to fix watery broccoli soup? ›

Add more cheese

One of the easiest ways to thicken up your broccoli cheddar soup is by adding more cheese. The cheese not only enhances the flavor but also contributes to a thicker texture. Consider adding extra sharp cheddar or even some Gruyere cheese for an extra depth of flavor.

How can I make my soup thicker and creamy? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice. ...
  7. 5 of the best soup recipes to try next:

What does broccoli soup do to your body? ›

Salads and soups with broccoli are a delight to many diners. Broccoli is one of the richest sources of good carbohydrates which aid digestion maintaining low blood sugar. And because it has the right amount of fibrous roughage it also helps in preventing constipation.

What goes well with broccoli cheddar soup? ›

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup is a comforting and delicious meal, but it can always be improved with the right sides. Salads, grains, crackers and breads, proteins, and desserts all work great with this soup, and the combinations are endless.

Is broccoli cheddar soup good for constipation? ›

Packed with fibre but low in calories, broccoli is one of the best foods for fighting constipation. It also contains sulforaphane, a substance that can help protect your gut from common digestive problems.

Why is my cheese clumping in broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Pre-grated cheese is coated in anti-caking agents which means it won't melt as smoothly. When it's time to add the cheese into the soup, sprinkle it in in batches, stirring until each batch is melted before adding the next batch vs dumping it all in at once. This will ensure there are no clumps in the final soup.

Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste grainy? ›

TROUBLESHOOTING: WHY IS MY BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP GRAINY OR CURDLED? This can happen if the temperature gets too high. Basically the proteins in the cheese tighten up and squeeze out the fat. You end up with a grainy, curdled consistency.

Why do you avoid simmering your soup after adding the cheese? ›

Boiling it after you add dairy can cause grittiness or clumping. How do you prevent cheese from clumping in soups? MDP: The key is to add cheese at the very end, with just residual heat -- either after turning off the heat or at the very end.

What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

How to get $1 soup at Panera? ›

Orders must be placed through the MyPanera app with the code SOUP, but they can be picked up in person. Just one redemption per transaction is permitted, and the offer isn't available if the order is placed on a third-party delivery site.

How do you thicken cheesy potato soup? ›

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way. Add cornstarch to a small amount of cold water or other liquid (wine or stock) and whisk into a thick slurry. Then the slurry can be stirred into a simmering soup, a bit at a time to set the final consistency.

How do you thicken cheddar cheese sauce? ›

You can thicken cheese sauce further by adding more flour or even using a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken.

How do you thicken broccoli sauce? ›

Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

How do you thicken soup with cornstarch and water? ›

How Much Cornstarch to Thicken Soup? Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly.

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