Healthy Cheddar Broccoli Soup in 30 Minutes

January 23, 2020 · Last Updated on June 28, 2020 By Anjali Shah on· Last Updated on

Share This:

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure

This Healthy Cheddar Broccoli Soup takes under thirty minutes to make. It’s a lightened up version of the classic, without losing any of the cheesy goodness of the original!

One of my husband’s favorite soups is Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

Warm, gooey, cheesy, rich – there are a lot of things to love about Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

What I don’t love is the fact that one tiny cup of the traditional recipe can run you over 400 calories and 18 grams of saturated fat! That’s because most versions of this recipe end up being more like “cheese soup with a tiny bit of broccoli” 🙂

This is version of Cheddar Broccoli Soup is comfort food at its best: delicious (thanks to the cheese and cream) but also nutritious (thanks to the fiber and phytochemicals from the broccoli – which have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties).

The husband loved this recipe and we managed to finish all of the soup between the two of us!

And the best part — this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make! Serve it with some crusty bread and you’ve got yourself a delicious, light, dinner.

Tools and Equipment You’ll Need for This Recipe

How To Make This Healthy Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Step 1: Combine first 7 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender.

Step 2: Turn off the heat. Using an immersion (hand) blender, blend the soup until it’s creamy. [Alternatively if you don’t have a hand blender you can use a regular blender: Pour soup into a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Return soup to pan.]

Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup half-and-half and 2 ounces cheese. You don’t need to turn the stove back on again, the residual heat from the soup should melt the cheese.

Step 4: Top evenly with remaining 1 tbsp cheese per bowl and parsley.

What makes this Cheddar Broccoli Soup healthy?

Low in Fat and Calories : This soup is heavy on the broccoli and light on the cheese and cream, making it a lightened up version of the original. With only 110 calories and 6 grams of fat per serving, this soup is satisfying while being heavy!

: This soup is heavy on the broccoli and light on the cheese and cream, making it a lightened up version of the original. With only 110 calories and 6 grams of fat per serving, this soup is satisfying while being heavy! High in Fiber : Broccoli is an excellent source of fiber. One serving of this soup has 4 grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion, and can improve cholesterol and blood sugar.

: Broccoli is an excellent source of fiber. One serving of this soup has 4 grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion, and can improve cholesterol and blood sugar. Phytochemicals : Broccoli contains something called phytochemicals which help boost the immune system, and have anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.

: Broccoli contains something called phytochemicals which help boost the immune system, and have anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in Antioxidants : Broccoli is also an excellent source of antioxidants which helps with healthy cell and tissues throughout the body.

: Broccoli is also an excellent source of antioxidants which helps with healthy cell and tissues throughout the body. High in Vitamins and Minerals: Broccoli is an excellent source of Vitamin C, E, K, folate, and potassium.

Will kids like this Healthy Cheddar Broccoli Soup?

Kids will love digging into this soup. Even if your kid is not a huge fan of big chunks of broccoli, they will likely enjoy this soup since the broccoli has been blended to create a smooth consistency. That coupled with the cheddar and cream, make for a flavorful kid friendly soup!

Is Cheddar Broccoli Soup vegetarian?

Most versions of this soup are not vegetarian because they are made with chicken stock. This healthy version is vegetarian by using vegetable stock instead. I also made this recipe healthier by increasing the broccoli and decreasing the cheddar and cream without losing any of the cheesiness that makes broccoli and cheddar soup such a favorite!

How do you add cheese to soup?

Add the cheese to the soup when the broccoli and stock is hot and blended. Add a little at a time, stirring gently until it is melted. Make sure that the cheese is melted and incorporated into the soup before adding more. The heat from the soup will melt the cheese as you add it a little at a time.

What cheese melts easily in soup?

Cheddar is the perfect cheese to melt into soup as it creates a smooth creamy sauce. Other great cheeses for melting include Asiago, fontina, Colby, Gruyere, and Monterey Jack. You can mix it up and choose your favorite melty cheese for this soup, although cheddar is a classic!

What do you serve with Healthy Cheddar Broccoli Soup?

Crusty Wheat Bread

Garlic Bread

Whole wheat Pita and hummus

Light green salad with vinaigrette dressing

Whole wheat bread bowl

Top Tips for Making Healthy Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Ideally, use fresh organic broccoli since that will have the brightest broccoli flavor. But if you can’t find fresh broccoli, you can use frozen broccoli as a backup!

Use an Immersion Blender for easier clean-up, or a stand blender if you do not have one. I highly recommend getting an immersion blender for soups. It saves time and you still get a nice and creamy soup!

Add cheese a little at a time and be sure it is well incorporated before adding more.

Top with cheese and parsley.

Check-Out These Other Healthy and Delicious Soup Recipes!

If you have tried this Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!