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A creamy, cozy broccoli cheddar soup enhanced with cottage cheese to provide a protein-rich, wholesome comfort meal with 20 grams of protein per serving.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 cups vegetable broth (preferably vegetarian ‘not-chicken’ style)
  • 4 cups chopped broccoli
  • 2 cups 1% milk
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute to release its aroma.
  4. Sprinkle in smoked paprika and flour, stirring constantly for one minute until the vegetables are coated and the flour starts to cook.
  5. Pour in the vegetable broth and add chopped broccoli. Bring everything to a gentle simmer.
  6. Simmer the broccoli for about 8 to 9 minutes until softened.
  7. Pour in the milk and reduce heat to warm the soup through without boiling.
  8. Add blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until cheeses melt into the soup. Keep heat low to prevent curdling.
  9. Ladle about a cup of soup into a blender and puree it carefully, letting steam escape. Then pour the blended soup back into the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot for a quick blend.
  10. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to your preference.

Notes

Using 3 cups of broth instead of 4 helps control soup thickness; you can add more broth for a thinner consistency., Substitute olive oil for butter to keep the recipe dairy-free., Smoked paprika can be replaced with regular paprika if unavailable., Low-fat cottage cheese provides creaminess and boosts protein without heavy saturated fat., Shredding block cheddar cheese yourself yields smoother melting compared to pre-shredded cheese., Avoid freezing leftovers as dairy may separate, altering texture and taste.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Soup, Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups per serving
  • Calories: Approximately 250 calories per serving
  • Fat: 10 grams per serving
  • Carbohydrates: 15 grams per serving
  • Protein: 20 grams per serving