Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 3 cups vegetable broth (add more if needed)
- 4 cups chopped broccoli
Creamy High-Protein Finish
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended until smooth
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Build the flavor base
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until soft. -
Add seasoning
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Sprinkle in smoked paprika and flour, stirring until vegetables are evenly coated. Cook 1 minute more. -
Simmer the soup
Pour in vegetable broth and add broccoli.
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 8–9 minutes, until broccoli is tender. -
Make it creamy
Reduce heat to low.
Stir in milk, warming gently (do not boil).
Add blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar, stirring until smooth and melted. -
Blend for texture
Scoop out about 1 cup of soup, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.
(Or use an immersion blender briefly.)
Season with salt and pepper to taste. -
Serve
Serve warm and enjoy that cozy, creamy goodness.
Additional Notes
- Protein Boost: Add an extra ½ cup blended cottage cheese.
- Thicker Soup: Use less broth or blend more of the soup.
- Extra Creamy: Finish with a small handful of extra cheddar.
- Low-Heat Rule: Keep heat low after adding milk to avoid curdling.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.
- Freezing works, but dairy may separate—blend after reheating for best texture.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch slurry.
- Dairy-Free: Swap in dairy-free milk, vegan cheese, and a high-protein plant yogurt.
- No-Dairy Protein: Blend in white beans or silken tofu for creaminess.
