Step 1: Prep the Aromatics

Place your onion, carrot, celery, and garlic into a food processor or chopper. Pulse until the vegetables are finely diced. This ensures that every spoonful of your Broccoli Cheddar Soup is packed with flavor.

Step 2: Sauté the Base

In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add your chopped vegetable mixture along with the salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant.

Step 3: Create the Roux

Stir the flour into the sautéed vegetables. Cook this mixture for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. This step is essential to remove the raw flour taste and create a thick, stable base for your soup.

Step 4: Combine and Simmer

Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring there are no lumps in the liquid. Add the milk, increase the heat to high until the soup boils, then toss in the broccoli florets and Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 10 minutes until the broccoli is tender.

Step 5: Blend and Finish

Use an immersion blender to quickly blend a small portion of the soup to thicken it. If you do not have one, remove a cup of the soup, blend it in a standard blender, and stir it back into the pot. Finally, gently stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth, then serve your Broccoli Cheddar Soup immediately.

Pro Tips

• Do not over-boil the soup once the cheddar cheese has been added, as this can cause the cheese to separate.
• Keep the broccoli pieces uniform in size so they cook evenly throughout the pot.
• If you prefer a thinner soup, simply add a splash more broth at the very end until you reach your desired consistency.
• Garnish your serving bowl with a sprinkle of extra sharp cheddar to make it look just like a restaurant-style dish.