Simple Broccoli and Cheddar Soup with Warm Ham & Cheese Sammies
A week ago it was cold here in Michigan. There air was just crisp enough so I could get away with wearing sweatshirts, jeans and fun scarves. Today… it’s 77. I’m not complaining, I know those frigidly cold days will soon be knockin’ at my door. And I’m prepared for it. I can see me know…
Me, Julie & Juliet and my snuggie. Did I say snuggie? I meant snuggling on the couch. I don’t even own a snuuuuuuuggie. Swear it.
I’d be, snuggling, on the couch with a steamy hot bowl of this goodness. Yeaaaah.
My soup and stew section on SS has been severely lacking in recipes. I’m not sure how that happened. But I hope to fill it up this year with “from scratch” soups and stews galore! Kicking it off with this recipe. Simple and straight forward, creamy and cheddar-y, this soup will warm your soul!
You could totally swap out the vegetable stock with chicken stock. There will be a slight difference in taste but either way you’ll be rock solid.
And noooo I didn’t forget the cheese {okay maybe I did}. But I do wantto make sure you know… for this soup to get that “cheddar-y” flavor… you need to buy a reeeeeally good block of cheddar. Kraft will not do here… splurge on some Cabot or any high end cheddar… it will be worth it and you’ll be thanking me later. 
I like to grate the cheese before starting the soup, to get it out of the way. After I grate it up, I plop it in a bowl and stick it back into the fridge.
Trim up about 12 oz of broccoli, or one package of 2 bunches, into florets.
Drop the florets into a deep pan of salted, boiling water. Cover and let boil for 3 minutes.
Immediately remove the broccoli.
And drop the florets into an ice water bath, to lock in that color and stop the cooking process.
Wash, peel, and julienne the carrot into matchsticks.
Dice up a small yellow onion.
Sauté the onions and carrots in a tablespoon or two of butter. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper.
The vegetables should be soft yet still firm, remove and set aside.
To the quarter cup of melted butter, add in the quarter cup of flour. Whisk often until the flour/butter mixture has slightly deepened in color about 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the half and half, then the vegetable broth.
Grate in some fresh nutmeg, and keep whisking while you bring it up to a small simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
It should be slightly thicker, so now you can toss in the sautéed carrots and onions.
And the blanched broccoli florets, and if now you notice the soup seems too thick for your liking, go ahead and add in more vegetable broth at this point.
Reduce the heat to low, stir and cover. Continue to simmer the soup over low heat for 25-30 more minutes.
After the 25-30 minutes, remove the lid. Using your mashed potato thingy, mash up the broccoli until only a few large broccoli pieces remain. I like mine a little on the chunky side so I go easy with it.
Add in half of the cheddar.
Stir.
Serve with a little extra cheddar on top.
And inhale.
Now if you like a little sandwich action to tag along with your soup. These can be thrown together in seconds while your soup is bubbling away on the stove top.
I found some whole grain ciabatta mini-loaves at my grocery store. But any rolls will do.
Layer some honey ham.
Then a slice of brick cheese. {An old favorite, new again}
Put the lid on.
Wrap in foil.
And bake for 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted.
A perfect cozy meal for any day of the week! Enjoy!
Simple Broccoli & Cheddar Soup with Warm Ham & Cheese Sammies
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted Butter, divided
1 small Yellow Onion, diced
1 medium Carrot, julienned
1/4 cup flour
2 cups Half-and-Half
2 cups Vegetable Broth, plus more if needed
1 bunch {12 ounces} Fresh Broccoli, cut into florets
1/8 teaspoon Fresh Nutmeg, or more to taste
8 ounces Good Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
Kosher Salt and Fresh Black Pepper, to taste
FOR THE SAMMIES
4 Mini Loaves of Whole Wheat Ciabatta
8 slices of Ham
4 slices of Brick Cheese {halved if large}
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Drop the broccoli florets into the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove the broccoli and place it into a large bowl of ice water. Once cooled, drain the broccoli and set aside.
Sauté the onions and carrots in two tablespoons of butter until soft but still firm. Remove and set aside.
Add the 1/4 cup of melted butter to the pan. Add in the flour, stir constantly for 2-3 minutes.
Slowly pour half-and-half and then the vegetable broth while still whisking. Add in nutmeg and stir. Cover and simmer {over medium-low} for 20 minutes.
Next, reduce heat to low and add in the onions, carrots and broccoli. Add more vegetable broth if you feel the soup is too thick. Stir and cover to simmer for another 20-25 minutes.
Lastly, use a potato masher to break up the broccoli florets to desired size. Add in half of the cheddar cheese. Season generously {to taste} with kosher salt and black pepper.
Serve immediately with additional cheddar cheese.
For the sammies; cut the mini ciabatta loaves in half and place two slices of ham in each. Top with a piece of brick cheese and wrap in foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve with the soup!
Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours! (
seriously cozy dinner…i can't wait for it to cool down a little more! this is the first thing on the menu when that happens
I've been in soup making mode lately and this is one that I haven't tried yet. It'sperfect for the weather we're having right now. Yum!!
You have no idea how happy you just made my eyeballs.
That soup? THAT SOUP?
I can't even begin….to tell you….the glory.
I need to rest.
Broccoli cheese soup is one of my all time favorites. You've done an awesome job with it here today!! I love that you've kept it simple and let the flavors of the broccoli and cheese sing through. Delicious!! This might be for lunch today
Hi Laurie! I made this long time ago during my uni days. I overcooked my broccoli, so instead of wasting them, I thought why not I make it into a soup. This soup is lovely and really brings back memories of all the mistakes I made.. LOL.. good to know what I made last time was not strange but infact a great hearty warm soup. LOVELY!! Thanks for buzzing me over my blog. Am a follower of your gem
Hi Laurie! I made this long time ago during my uni days. I overcooked my broccoli, so instead of wasting them, I thought why not I make it into a soup. This soup is lovely and really brings back memories of all the mistakes I made.. LOL.. good to know what I made last time was not strange but infact a great hearty warm soup. LOVELY!! Thanks for buzzing me over my blog. Am a follower of your gem
Yum. I always get this soup at Panera Bakery ( not sure if this is everywhere) but want to make it at home. Have pinned this recipe!
Great job on the soup, it makes for a perfect companion to a cold wet day at my end on the East coast.
OMG that looks absolutely DELISH!!
i will be making this soup next week. YUM
just came across your blog, i am def. going to follow you, would love you to check out my blog and follow back!
http://paisleytoprive.blogspot.com/
Jade
This s my favorite soup, I can't wait to make it!
Looks so yummy and cozy. I am just across the border from you. I was so enjoying the warm weather. Seems its nearing an end. We were at the barn in tank tops on the weekend. I hate our winters, might need to hibernate.
Yeah, nice try! You totally own a snuggie! Lol! {I use a masher in my broccoli cheese soup too! *high five*
This looks delicious! Broccoli Cheese soup is one of my favorite soups. It definitely makes me forgive you for having a snuggie
That soup looks so delicious!
I've never craved Broccoli & Cheddar Soup until looking at your post. I'm going to have to give this a whirl. You've converted me!
Beautiful blog! I see you are from Mich, I too am a Michigan girl (living in AZ now). Soup looks fabulous and nice to meet ya!
Lovely soup and sure tempting enough esp with cheese, one of my fav ingredient.
This one of my favorite soups ever! I love all that cheese!
Um AH-MAZING!! I have to try this. I have never made broccoli cheddar at home but yours just looks TOO good not to try. What a perfect way to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy a good movie.
I won't tell anyone about the snuggie hehe
The cheese is the key. This looks delicious! I want to go make me some this weekend.
I will definitely be making this soup this weekend! It looks so yummy!
Handsome and I were joking that I need a snuggie the other day because Im always cold.
Nothing is better than a great bowl of broccoli cheddar soup and a hot sandwich – especially on a chilly day…. mmm nothing….
WOW!!!!So delish. My hubby loved this soup. Sure is a real keeper.
I just made this soup for dinner! It was pretty easy to make and is truly delicious! I used chicken broth instead of veggie broth. This will be great for lunch at work this week!
I made this last Friday. Deeeeelish!!!! Thanx for the recipe! I'll be trying the butternut squash pasta recipe this week. I'm so glad I found yr blog!
Keeley~ I'm so glad! You're right this soup makes for EXCELLENT leftovers! Thanks for coming back and letting me know!
Anonymous~ I'm so glad you liked this soup too! Thanks for the feedback!
That soup looks yummy-licious! Going to try the recipe this weekend!
This looks wonderful! I'm going to have to ge me some fancy cheddar!
Thanks for great information. It's a wonderful and I am going to try this now!!!
Wow, this is fresh and true news. Thanks for sharing. I must try this one.
Wow! so yummy, I love this.I really going to try this. Thanks for sharing such tasty dish.
I found your blog through stumble upon…and I totally love it! I just made this soup, and it was so good. Besides your awesome recipes, I really enjoy having all those pictures so I know I am doing things right
. Thank you!
I was given this recipe as part of a recipe swap, and loved it. The sandwiches were great too, I'll make them like this for a long time to come. Thanks for a great recipe!!
This was delicious. First time I have ever made broccoli cheddar soup. I am saving this for when the in-laws visit. Thanks for posting!
This was fairly simple and very delicious! I bought too much broccoli though and ended up having to add more broth in order to even things out. My only problem is it doesn’t make enough!
Making it again as a special request tonight from my other half who is currently sick. That’s all the confirmation I need that I am not the only one who appreciates the recipe.
excellent job…love the pictures to go with the recipe, you know the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.