We always love a good hearty pot of soup and this cheesy broccoli soup hits the spot! It is packed full of an assortment of veggies and healthy grains (actually a seed) called quinoa which helps thicken the soup slightly, as well as providing a plant based protein. This is a thicker soup (but not thick like a stew) that has a rich broccoli flavor with a slight creaminess from the cream (or yogurt) and cheesy goodness!
We enjoy soups because a few ingredients can be stretched to feed a hungry family, much like what was cooked in the “old days.” A handful of carrots, a few potatoes, an onion along with some broth and water and grains like rice or even homemade dumplings or noodles can stretch those ingredients into a full pot of delicious soup. Serving with fresh bread or biscuits can also help stretch the meal and filling a family of hungry bellies!! This soup essentially cost $13.50 to make the whole pot which is about $2.25 per serving… not too bad!
Let’s get started!
Add chopped onion, celery and carrot to the pot in a splash of oil, salt and pepper and a splash of water (which helps steam and cook the veggies).
Once the onion is tender, add quinoa. Stir for a few minutes, adding a splash of water if needed.
Add chopped potatoes and vegetable broth or chicken broth (either tastes great!) and water. Cook 20 minutes until potatoes are tender and quinoa is cooked.
Add broccoli. Stir until broccoli turns color. The broccoli cooks quite quickly.
Add cream or yogurt along with cheese. Stir and remove from heat.
This soup looks as delicious as it tastes! It is also a great soup to enjoy in the summer, using all those fresh veggies from the garden!
We add a sprinkle of shredded cheese to our bowl before enjoying. It also tastes yummy with some chopped turkey bacon that has been cooked until it is lightly browned! You can also add croutons, nutritional yeast, fresh parsley or dill or even some cooked crumbled bacon or chopped dill pickles. You can add anything or eat it as is — no matter which way you enjoy it, this soup is sure to be a hit with your family!
Cheesy Broccoli Soup
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 to 2 carrots, chopped
1 tbsp oil
salt and pepper to season
1/2 cup quinoa
3 cups chopped potatoes
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3 cups water (add more if needed)
2 heads broccoli, roughly chopped
2/3 cup cream or yogurt of choice
1 cup cheese of choice like shredded old cheese, marble cheese or velveeta cheese or a combination
Combine onion, celery, carrots in a large pot with a splash of oil, water and salt and pepper. Cook until tender. Add quinoa and cook, stirring for a few minutes. Add potatoes, broth and water. Cook 20 minutes or until potatoes and quinoa are tender. Add broccoli, stir and cook until broccoli changes color. Cook until desired tenderness. Add cream or yogurt and cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes before serving.
