Ingredients
5 ½ Tbsp. butter, divided
1 ½ cups chopped carrots (about 3)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 ½ cups peeled and cubed russet potatoes – cut ½ inch to ¾ inch thick (2 large)
3 cups chopped broccoli florets (from about 2 heads)
¼ tsp. dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 cups milk (preferably 2%)
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz.)
⅓ cup finely shredded parmesan cheese (1 oz.)
Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, melt 1 ½ Tbsp. of the butter. Add carrots, celery, and onion and sauté 3 – 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds longer.
Stir in chicken broth, potatoes, and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium, cover with lid and simmer 15 minutes.
Stir in broccoli and cook 5 minutes longer or until veggies are tender.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining 4 Tbsp. butter.
Stir in flour and cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute.
While whisking vigorously, slowly pour in milk (whisk well until no lumps remain).
Cook stirring constantly until mixture begins to thicken.
Stir in heavy cream and remove from heat.
Once all veggies in the large pot are tender, pour milk mixture into the soup and stir.
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and parmesan cheese until melted.
Serve warm.
Notes
• Storing Soup: Let soup cool completely, transfer to airtight containers, and store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
• Freezing Soup: Broccoli potato cheese soup won’t freeze well because of the dairy. If making in advance, store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Substitutions
Cheese: If you don’t have cheddar, use a good melting cheese such as Gruyère cheese. A little blue cheese would also work well.
Broccoli: You could also use cauliflower instead of broccoli or use both!
Chicken Broth: Vegetable broth is great but try to use low sodium.
Heavy Cream: The cream is what gives the soup the lovely creaminess. If you do substitute, use whole milk. If you go with a lower fat milk, the soup will be too watery.