High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup

High protein broccoli cheddar soup recipe with cottage cheese twist. Healthy, creamy comfort food that actually nourishes your body.

Hi, I’m Linda, and welcome to Tasty at Home—where bold flavors meet everyday kitchens. Let me tell you about the rainy Tuesday that changed my soup game forever.

My gym buddy Sarah challenged me to find a way to make broccoli cheddar soup actually healthy.

You know, the kind that doesn’t leave you drowning in heavy cream and guilt? Well, after burning through three batches and nearly giving up, I stumbled upon the cottage cheese secret that transforms this classic comfort food into a protein powerhouse.

This high protein broccoli cheddar soup delivers all the creamy, cheesy satisfaction you crave. Moreover, it packs an impressive nutritional punch that’ll keep you satisfied for hours. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or seeking comfort on a chilly evening, this recipe bridges the gap between indulgence and wellness.

What Makes This Recipe Extraordinary

This isn’t your typical broccoli cheddar soup recipe. Instead of relying solely on heavy cream and butter, we’re boosting the protein content with a genius cottage cheese blend. Furthermore, we’re using smoked paprika to add depth without overwhelming the classic flavors.

Most importantly, this approach creates a soup that’s both satisfying and nutritious. The cottage cheese adds approximately 14 grams of protein per serving, while the traditional cheddar provides that beloved sharp flavor profile.

Ingredient Breakdown

Smart Shopping Tips

When selecting broccoli at your local grocery store, look for tight, dark green florets. Additionally, avoid yellowing flowers or woody stems. Fresh broccoli should feel firm and heavy for its size.

For the cottage cheese component, choose a high-quality brand with minimal additives. Blend it until completely smooth before adding to prevent texture issues in your finished soup.

Essential Equipment and Preparation

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
• High-speed blender or immersion blender
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon for stirring

Pro tip: If you don’t own a high-speed blender, a regular blender works perfectly. Just be sure to remove the center cap and cover with a kitchen towel to allow steam to escape.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Building the Flavor Foundation

Step 1: Create Your Aromatic Base Melt the butter in your large pot over medium heat. Once it begins to foam and smell nutty, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook these vegetables for exactly 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent browning.

This technique, known as a mirepoix, forms the flavor backbone of countless soups. Thomas Keller emphasizes the importance of patience during this step—rushing here compromises the entire dish.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Spices Next, add the minced garlic and continue cooking for one minute until fragrant. Then, sprinkle in the smoked paprika and flour, stirring constantly to coat all vegetables evenly. Cook this mixture for one additional minute.

Oops! I learned this lesson the hard way—adding flour without proper coating leads to lumpy soup. Make sure every piece of vegetable gets dusted with flour.

Building the Soup Base

Step 3: Add Liquid and Broccoli Pour in the vegetable broth gradually while stirring to prevent flour clumps. Add the chopped broccoli and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection Simmer the broccoli for 8-9 minutes until fork-tender but still bright green. Overcooking at this stage turns your beautiful broccoli into mushy, gray disappointments.

Creating the Creamy Finish

Step 5: Temperature Control is Key Reduce heat to low and slowly add the milk. This gradual approach prevents curdling—a mistake that once left me with a pot of separated, unappetizing soup.

Step 6: The Protein Powerhouse Addition Stir in your pre-blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar. Keep the heat low and stir gently until the cheese melts completely. This process should take about 3-4 minutes.

Step 7: Final Texture Adjustment Transfer one cup of soup to your blender and blend until smooth, allowing steam to escape. Return this blended portion to the pot and stir. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot for 10-15 seconds.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, the cheese adds saltiness, so taste before adding additional salt.

Expert Tips and Creative Variations

Professional Techniques

The secret to restaurant-quality broccoli cheddar soup lies in temperature control. Julia Child always emphasized the importance of gentle heat when working with dairy—high heat causes proteins to seize and separate.

Furthermore, blending only a portion of the soup creates the perfect texture balance. You’ll get creaminess without losing all the vegetable chunks that provide visual appeal and texture contrast.

Five Delicious Variations

1. Bacon Lover’s Version Add 4 strips of crispy bacon, crumbled, during the final step. This transforms your healthy soup into an indulgent weekend treat.

2. Spicy Southwest Style Replace smoked paprika with chipotle powder and add diced jalapeños with the vegetables. Top with crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

3. Thanksgiving Leftover Special Incorporate leftover turkey during the final step for a post-holiday protein boost that feels both comforting and practical.

4. Vegan-Friendly Alternative Substitute cashew cream for milk and nutritional yeast for cheese. Use vegetable broth and coconut oil instead of butter.

5. Garden Fresh Summer Add fresh corn kernels and diced zucchini during the simmering step for a seasonal twist that celebrates summer produce.

Storage and Make-Ahead Strategies

Important note: When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to restore the original consistency. Stir frequently over low heat to maintain the smooth texture.

Perfect Pairings

This high protein broccoli cheddar soup pairs beautifully with crusty sourdough bread or our creamy mushroom soup for a soup-and-soup combo that’s surprisingly satisfying.

For a complete meal, consider serving alongside our Italian penicillin soup for variety, or pair with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette.

High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup FAQs

The Perfect Bowl of Comfort

Man, oh man, there’s something magical about a steaming bowl of this high protein broccoli cheddar soup on a cold evening. The way the cheese stretches from your spoon, the satisfying bite of tender broccoli, and knowing you’re actually nourishing your body—it’s like wrapping yourself in a warm, nutritious hug.

This soup represents everything I love about modern home cooking. We’re taking classic comfort food and making it work for our busy, health-conscious lives. Moreover, it proves that healthy eating doesn’t require sacrificing the flavors we crave.

Whether you’re preparing this for Sunday meal prep or serving it for a cozy family dinner, this recipe delivers both satisfaction and nutrition. Try serving it with our Mexican street corn soup for your next soup party, or pair it with our hearty cheddar garlic herb potato soup for ultimate comfort food indulgence.

Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! Tag us on social media with your creations—I love seeing how you make this recipe your own.

High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This high protein broccoli cheddar soup is a creamy, cheesy, and nourishing twist on the classic comfort dish. Boosted with blended cottage cheese, it delivers about 22g of protein per serving while keeping the indulgent flavor you love.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 290 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot
• Blender or immersion blender
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• wooden spoon

Ingredients

  

Essential Base

• 1 tbsp Butter Flavor foundation
• 1 large Yellow onion, diced Aromatic base
• 2 large Carrots, diced Natural sweetness
• 1 stalk Celery, diced Texture and flavor
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced Aromatic depth
• ¼ cup All-purpose flour Thickening agent

Bold Add-ins

• ½ tsp Smoked paprika Smoky complexity
• 3 cups Vegetable broth Liquid base
• 4 cups Fresh broccoli, chopped Star vegetable
• 2 cups 1% milk Creamy texture
• 4 oz Sharp cheddar, shredded Classic flavor
• 1 cup Low-fat cottage cheese, blended Protein boost

Instructions

 

• Melt butter in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 10 minutes until softened.
• Add garlic, then smoked paprika and flour. Stir constantly for 1 minute to coat vegetables.
• Gradually add vegetable broth, stirring to avoid lumps. Add broccoli and simmer 8–9 minutes until tender.
• Lower heat and stir in milk. Add blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar, mixing until smooth.
• Blend part of the soup for creaminess, then return to pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Variations: Add bacon for richness, jalapeños for spice, or leftover turkey for extra protein. For a vegan option, swap dairy with cashew cream and nutritional yeast.

Keyword broccoli cheddar soup, healthy comfort food, high protein soup