Heartiest Cheesy Broccoli Soup on the Planet

Hello folks, and welcome back to the All Things Southern kitchen. I’ve got a big pot of bone-warming soup for y’all in case we get another cold snap, but first some back story. I had the grand girls last week while their parents took a short vacation. Those girls love them some Broccoli and Cheese soup.  My man does too, but he had a taste for supper he could sink his teeth into, so I created a meal that made everyone happy! I’m calling it the Heartiest Cheesy Broccoli Soup on the Planet. Here let me walk y’all through it!

“Heartiest Cheesy Broccoli Soup on the Planet”

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 white onion (minced)

1 teaspoon minced garlic

4 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cup half and half

4 cups chicken broth

2 heads broccoli, cut into florets

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped small

2 cups mushrooms, washed and sliced

2 grated sharp cheddar cheese

4 ounces of Velveeta cheese

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 bay leaves

Options:  4-5 medium potatoes, washed and diced in bite-size pieces/ individual bread bowls/grocery store roasted chicken

I’ve gotten us started by sautéing a cup of minced white onion in four tablespoons of melted butter. As soon as my onions were clear, I added a teaspoon of minced garlic and four tablespoons of all purpose flour. Now, we’ll stir in two cups of half and half and our chicken stock. Go slow with this so your flour doesn’t lump. I started out using three cups of chicken stock, but I ended up using another one. You can adjust the liquid to your preference. Time for our vegetables. I’ve washed and shaved two carrots, prepared two heads of broccoli, and sliced two cups of mushrooms. We’ll stir ’em in with two cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese and four ounces of Velveeta. Then we’ll season with a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and a couple of bay leaves and let it cook on low for thirty or so minutes, or until you’re ready to eat.

Now, here are a couple more options I recommend. I washed, diced and parboiled some white potatoes to add to my soup while it was simmering, and I added some roasted chicken from the big box store. Then I seasoned it with salt and pepper and served it in bread bowls. I told y’all I pumped it up! It’s the Heartiest Cheesy Broccoli Soup on the Planet and it’s good eating, from the All Things Southern kitchen to yours!