Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 35 min. + cooling

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Oct. 22, 2022
"When my husband and I visit fresh-food stands, we often come home with more vegetables than we can eat," Marge Hill shares from Glenside, Pennsylvania. "I lightened up this tarragon-flavored soup to use up the broccoli we buy. I like it with crusty bread, a salad or a sandwich."

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups 1% milk
  • 1-1/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

  1. In a large nonstick saucepan coated with cooking spray, saute onion until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually whisk in broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
  2. Add the broccoli, tarragon, thyme and pepper; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Add milk; cook, uncovered, 5 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature.
  3. In a blender, process soup in batches until smooth. Return all to the pan; heat through. Reduce heat. Add 1 cup of cheese; stir just until melted. Serve immediately. Garnish with remaining cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 202 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 reduced-fat milk, 1/2 fat.