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We’re serving a creamy comforting broccoli cheese soup that is easy on the waistline. Today’s Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe will make your mouth and your hips happy!
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As a mom, sometimes I have to stick to my guns, and sometimes I have to know when to give a little.Lines are often fuzzy and it can be tricky to determine which way to lean in any given situation.
Parenting is not for the faint of heart.
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For instance, it’s important to stick to your guns when you discover one of your children is not wearing underwear to school. Or when brushing one’s teeth is suddenly considered optional. Or when you find a stash of matches hiding under your child’s bed. These examples may or may not have happened in our house at some point in time.
However, it’s less important to be ridged about meal time. As long as I know my kids are getting the nutrition they need, we can let a few treatsslide here and there.
Best of all, sometimes there is a happy medium that satisfies everyone in the family.
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This creamy Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe is a win-win for all of us.
It’s rich and cheesy, just like my classic decadent broccoli cheddar soup recipe. However, I used low fat milk instead of cream, reduced the cheese a little, and upped the veggieintake.
Therefore myLightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe is slightly brothy, which I actually prefer, and is remorse free.
Loaded with flavor from thesharp cheddar cheese and lots of aromatic veggies, you won’t even miss the excess fat and calories, in this revamped soup recipe. I promise.
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I’ve learned giving a in little on the comfort foods my kids love, gives me anopportunity to lighten up some of our traditional family favorites!
I’ve also learned that squeezing important nutrients into recipes, makes my kids healthier and gives them the energy and focus they need throughout the day.
![Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (6) Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe (6)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
I always try to start them out in the morning with protein to keep them full throughout the morning. This can come from eggs, nuts, or even a cool frothy glass of milk.
We oftenforget all the benefits of a simple glass of milk, like 9 essential nutrients including high quality protein, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.
Milk’s ingredient list is short – simply milk and vitamins A and D, plus it is a farm-to-table food. No hormones, crazy chemicals, or preservatives added.
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I was thrilled to find a way to incorporate low fat milk into today’s Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe. Not only does it reduce the calories while retaining a creamy consistency. It helps me meet the daily quota of important nutrients for my little guys!
To find out more about the benefits of adding milk toyour diet visit MilkTruth.com. Also visit MilkLife on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest, and Instagram.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Lightened-Up Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe - An easy broccoli cheese soup recipe with reduced fat and calories, but amazing flavor!
Servings: 6
Instructions
Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic. Saute for 3-4minutes to soften. Then add the flour and stir well so that the flour coats the onion pieces.
Pour in the broth and low-fat milk. Then stir in the broccoli florets, sea salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the largest broccoli florets are tender.
Finally stir in the shredded cheese. Stir to thicken the soup as the cheese melts. Then turn off the heat and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 325kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 1359mg, Potassium: 621mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1260IU, Vitamin C: 63.5mg, Calcium: 580mg, Iron: 1.3mg
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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Disclosure: The post is sponsored by MilkLife. All dairy loving opinions are my own.
This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.
FAQs
HOW CAN YOU MAKE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP THICKER?
- You can mix equal parts butter and flour to form a thick paste, then stir that into the soup.
- You can whisk some cornstarch into cold water or broth until the cornstarch is dissolved, and stir that into the soup.
- You can add a bit more cheese.
Is broccoli cheddar soup good or bad for you? ›
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.
Why won t my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›
Grate the cheese yourself.
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.
Is panera broccoli cheddar soup healthy for weight loss? ›
The Unhealthiest Panera Soup: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Besides its 11 grams of saturated fat, this soup is suffused with sodium. In a 1-cup serving, expect 46% of the daily recommended limit of 2,300 milligrams.
How to fix watery broccoli soup? ›
Add more cheese
One of the easiest ways to thicken up your broccoli cheddar soup is by adding more cheese. The cheese not only enhances the flavor but also contributes to a thicker texture. Consider adding extra sharp cheddar or even some Gruyere cheese for an extra depth of flavor.
How do you make soup thicker and creamier? ›
6 ways to thicken soup:
- Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
- Add cream or yogurt. ...
- Add flour or cornflour. ...
- Use a butter and flour paste. ...
- Blend in bread. ...
- Add lentils or rice.
What does broccoli soup do to your body? ›
Salads and soups with broccoli are a delight to many diners. Broccoli is one of the richest sources of good carbohydrates which aid digestion maintaining low blood sugar. And because it has the right amount of fibrous roughage it also helps in preventing constipation.
What are some unhealthy soups? ›
Just avoid these five soups listed below, and swap them out for the healthier alternatives we've provided:
- Clam chowder. Anything with the word "chowder" in it is probably going to be high in cream, fat, and calories. ...
- Potato soup. ...
- Lobster bisque. ...
- Chili. ...
- Broccoli and cheese soup.
What to eat broccoli cheddar soup with? ›
What to Serve with Broccoli Cheese Soup: 25 Best Side Dishes
- Cheesy Vegan Almond Flour Biscuits. ...
- Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad by Peas and Crayons. ...
- Baked Sweet Potato Wedges by Braised and Deglazed. ...
- Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread by Champagne Tastes. ...
- Easy Spelt Focaccia by It's Not Complicated.
Why does my broccoli soup taste bland? ›
If your Broccoli Soup tastes bland, there are several potential reasons. Here are some common culprits and suggestions to enhance the flavour: Insufficient seasoning. Solution: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper accordingly.
If heated too high, you risk clumping and if too low, not melting properly. With soup, you might be able to fix it with an immersion blender, or you might not. 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.
Why does my broccoli cheddar soup taste grainy? ›
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.
What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›
6 delicious and healthy soups
- Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
- Green spring minestrone.
- Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
- Lamb shank and barley soup.
- Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
- Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
What is the healthiest soup at Panera? ›
Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
It's a healthier choice on the menu—despite its inclusion of heavy cream—and is chock-full of white meat chicken, celery, onion, carrots, and cabbage.
Why is broccoli cheddar soup so good? ›
Broccoli cheese soup, in case you needed reminding, is going to bring several good things into your life: a delicate start of butter and garlic and onions, a silky-smooth soup base, little bite-sized bits of just-right broccoli, thinly sliced carrots, and a sharp, creamy finish from that cheddar cheese.
How to thicken cheddar cheese soup? ›
Add Flour Or Cornstarch
You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.
How do you thicken cheesy potato soup? ›
To thicken potato soup without creating lumps, you can use a roux made of equal parts butter and flour. Melt the butter in a separate pan, add the flour, and whisk until smooth. Slowly whisk the roux into the soup, and let it simmer until thickened. Be sure to whisk continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
How can I thicken soup without adding anything? ›
Foods like rice, bread, potatoes and beans are naturally high in starches, which, when broken down, act as a thickening agent. With rice, the grains will break down into the soup as it's simmered and stirred, releasing the starches and thickening the soup.
How do you thicken broccoli sauce? ›
Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.