Description
A healthy and delicious Skinny Broccoli Cheddar Soup that’s low in calories but rich in flavor. This creamy soup combines fresh broccoli, savory garlic, and reduced-fat cheddar cheese, perfect for a nourishing meal without the extra calories.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 cups fat-free or low-fat milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook Broccoli: Add the chopped broccoli florets to the pot along with the chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the broccoli becomes tender.
- Add Milk and Thicken: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the fat-free or low-fat milk. Slowly add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch dissolved in cold water) while stirring, then simmer the soup for another 3 to 4 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Blend Soup: Use an immersion blender to lightly blend the soup in the pot, leaving some broccoli chunks for added texture and a satisfying bite.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese until it melts smoothly into the soup. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and optional crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat. Serve the soup warm.
Notes
- For extra creaminess without added calories, stir in 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt off the heat before serving.
- You can choose to leave the soup chunky or blend it completely smooth depending on your preference.
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt content.
- To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
