Description
This Cheesy Vegetable Soup is a comforting, creamy soup packed with a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a savory chicken broth and thickened with a rich cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines tender potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, and onions in a delicious blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup broccoli, chopped
- 1 cup cauliflower, chopped
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups half and half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Other Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add chopped onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic. Sauté these vegetables until they become tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add broth and potatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let the potatoes cook for 15 minutes until they are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Add broccoli and cauliflower: Stir in the chopped broccoli and cauliflower. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until these vegetables are also tender.
- Make roux: While the vegetables cook, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a separate saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 3-4 minutes. This process cooks the flour to form a roux, which will thicken the soup.
- Add half and half: Gradually whisk the half and half into the roux, stirring constantly to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps.
- Combine and thicken: Pour the creamy milk mixture from the saucepan into the soup pot. Stir well to combine. Then, add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir continuously until the cheese has melted completely into the soup. Allow the soup to simmer gently until it thickens to your desired consistency. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
- For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes before adding the milk mixture.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheese flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
- To reduce fat, you can use reduced-fat half and half or whole milk.
