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We’ve reached the end of 5-Ingredient Soup Week here at Gimme Some Oven. And let me tell you, it has been delicious!
In case you missed it, we ladled up some black bean soup, potato soup, easy chili, and tomato soup,all made of course with just 5 tasty ingredients each. But today we conclude the series with a creamy and healthier take on a classic — 5-Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Soup.
I have to admit that I only recently developed a taste for this classic, having avoided it for years due to copious amounts of Velveeta and a not-so-fondness for broccoli. But this recipe is happily processed-cheese-free (just use regular cheddar!). And I’m slowly coming around on learning to like those little trees in my soup. I also included one of my healthier tricks for making the soup creamy, so read below to learn the magic five ingredients for this recipe!
Ok, ok, actually the ingredients for this 5-ingredient broccoli cheese soup are pretty straightforward. You need:
broccoli (fresh or frozen)
a small onion
evaporated milk (my favorite healthier alternative to heavy cream)
chicken stock (or vegetable stock to make this vegetarian)
cheddar cheese (I recommend using sharp for more flavor. Also, some brands of pre-shredded cheddar cheese melt more easily than others. To play it safe, I actually recommend buying a block of cheddar and shredding it yourself. But I do find that Kraft’s shredded cheddar melts well consistently.)
Annnnd, I must also request that you use a few generous pinches of salt and pepper. Depending on thekind of cheddar cheese that you use, this soup may need more/less salt. And if you really want to go beyond 5 ingredients, I also recommend adding in some Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning to the mix. But the soup also tastes great just with the straightforward 5 ingredients.
Anyway, the 5-ingredient version of this recipe really couldn’t be easier. You literally toss all five ingredients together in a saucepan…
…and slowly bring them to a simmer (not a boil), and cook until the onions are soft. Then this delicious soup is ready to go inno time.
I was amazed at how those five simple ingredients really do provide plenty of flavor. I will note that the soup is a little on the thin side. So if you want to thicken it, you are welcome to create a roux beforehand by heating 1 tablespoon each of butter and flour together in the saucepan, and stirring them for a minute until the flour is cooked and slightly golden. Then whisk in the chicken stock, and then add in the remaining ingredients and follow the recipe as indicated. If you prefer a pureed broccoli cheese soup instead of chunky, feel free to blend it using an immersion or traditional blender.
Other than that, this recipe is pretty straightforward. And if I do say so myself, it’s delicious!!
Thanks for tuning in for a week of so many soup recipes. We’ll move onto another culinary topic next week, I promise!
***UPDATE: Directions have been edited since the initial posting. A number of readers were having problems with the soup curdling. I re-tested the recipe a handful of times, and never had my cheese curdle. But this updated method should be more foolproof, just stirring the cheese in at the very end off the heat.
plus a few generous pinches of salt and black pepper
(optional: a few generous pinches of Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning)
Instructions
Stir together stock, diced onion and broccoli in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it comes to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are tender. Stir in the evaporated milk and continue cooking for 3 minutes or until the mixture returns to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
Season soup with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm.
**As I said above, some brands of shredded cheese melt more easily than others. To play it safe, I recommend buying a block of cheddar and shredding it yourself just before adding in the cheese. But I used Kraft brand for this recipe, and it melted perfectly!**
Be sure to check out my other 5-ingredient soup recipes too!
Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a lusciously creamy soup. To ensure that your broccoli cheddar soup has the best smooth and creamy texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.
The temperature you cook Broccoli Cheese Soup at is key to making sure it doesn't end up grainy or curdled. Medium heat is best for dairy-based soups so it doesn't boil and curdle.
Place 1 cup chicken broth, carrot, onion and celery in 4-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat 8-10 minutes or until onion is softened. Add 2 cups chicken broth, milk, cheese, and hot pepper sauce. Reduce heat to medium; cook 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.
Why won't my cheese melt? There are many reasons, but the biggest is the moisture content. The moisture content of the cheese has a great effect on the melting process. Cheese that contains higher amounts of fat will melt better than one that doesn't.
Why is my broccoli soup bland? There are a few factors that can contribute to a bland soup. If the broth you used is sodium free you may need to add extra salt and seasonings. An extra splash of fresh squeezed lemon juice or vinegar can elevate the brightness of a bland soup as well.
Is broccoli soup good for you? Most of the time, broccoli cheese soup isn't the healthiest option since it has lots of cheese and heavy cream. This version is lightened up with evaporated skim milk and less cheese. It also uses extra vegetables that are blended to create some of the creaminess in the soup.
Broccoli cheese soup is heavy, so a light, vinegar-based side works well, like a side salad with a light vinaigrette, or an apple cider-based fresh coleslaw, along with a chunk of crusty bread. A really good crusty, wholegrain, bread with butter, or crackers, or oatcakes with a little bit of butter and cheese.
At a temperature of 150 or so, the protein bonds in the cheese break down and as a result, too much fo the moisture escapes too quickly. Keep the heat very low, and make sure the cheese is one of the last things added to the soup.
Cheese can curdle when added to soup due to the high temperatures and acidity in the soup. The proteins in cheese are sensitive to heat and acid, causing them to separate and form curds.
Broccoli also can be the culprit behind a slew of stomach-related symptoms. Not only does the veggie — or more specifically, the intestinal bacteria that breaks the fibrous content down — cause gas, but that gas can actually be painful, too. Because the gas expands the intestines, its lining and walls become stretched.
It is made with kefir (fermented milk) and a generous addition of pickled beetroot, which gives the cold soup its bright pink colour. Then you just need to add some crunchy cucumbers and aromatic dill, and don't forget the hard-boiled egg.
Fresh cheddar is milder and melts well, while medium has a slightly fuller flavor perfect for soups or broths. Ponderosa Farmstead Colby: This melt-in-your-mouth colby is soft, mild, and a great accompaniment to beer. It's the Homecoming King of the cheese world.
Delicious cheese and Wisconsin, It's a natural partnership
With the Dairy State's healthy combination of fertile land and balanced climate, milk production excels. And Wisconsin's milk is not only impressive in terms of quantity, but also in quality.
High Heat: Cheese is sensitive to high temperatures. If you add cheese to your soup when it's too hot or boiling vigorously, it can become overcooked and develop a grainy or curdled texture rather than melting smoothly. To avoid this, reduce the heat to low or medium-low before adding the cheese.
However, these additives also prevent the pre-shredded cheese from melting properly, resulting in a grainy or clumpy texture. If you want to avoid this, shred your own cheese from a block. Another possibility is that you didn't cook the soup long enough so the cheese didn't have enough time to properly melt.
Use a low heat setting and be patient. If you melt the cheese over too high of a heat, it can become rubbery. Instead, use a low heat setting and stir the cheese frequently as it melts to help it blend together smoothly. Add a small amount of milk, cream, or broth to the cheese as it melts.
Don't add the cheese all at once or you risk clumping. Sprinkle the cheese in, stir and when it's almost melted, sprinkle in more. A sure-fire way to prevent cheese from clumping is to toss it with some cornstarch before adding to the soup.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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