There's something so comforting about a warm bowl of soup, especially when it’s both nourishing and cheesy. This Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe hits all the right notes—it’s creamy, flavorful, and surprisingly light, making it a go-to for when you want something hearty without the heaviness.

This image shows a thick creamy broccoli soup in a white bowl with a wooden ladle lifting some soup. The soup base is pale yellow with a smooth, creamy texture, dotted with small green broccoli florets spread evenly inside. The broccoli pieces are bright green with a slightly soft, cooked look, some with tiny black pepper specks on top. The ladle is partially submerged, holding soup that shows three broccoli pieces clearly visible on its surface. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has quickly become one of my favorites to pull together on chilly days or whenever I want a cozy, satisfying meal that doesn’t derail my healthy eating goals. I've tweaked it so it’s rich and cheesy without that heavy cream overload—just pure comfort with a nutritious twist.

Light but Creamy: Uses cream cheese and milk instead of heavy cream to keep it smooth and less heavy on calories.
Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples and fresh broccoli—nothing fancy but everything harmonious.
Customizable Flavor: Subtle spices like ground mustard and paprika add depth without overpowering the cheesy broccoli goodness.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters in my house love this soup—bonus points for being a crowd-pleaser!

A large white enamel pot filled with creamy broccoli soup, thick and speckled with small green broccoli pieces. A copper ladle rests inside the soup, holding a scoop that shows the green broccoli clearly mixed into the light beige creamy broth. The soup has a slightly grainy texture with visible black pepper flecks. In the blurred background, slices of toasted bread sit on a white plate, and a bowl of shredded yellow cheese stands nearby on a white marbled surface. A white and blue striped cloth is casually placed beside the pot. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe plays a role, from adding rich flavor to ensuring a creamy texture without extra fat. Knowing why can help you choose the best quality and maybe even inspire little tweaks that suit your taste.

Flat lay of fresh bright green broccoli florets chopped into small pieces, a few plump whole garlic cloves, a halved large white onion diced finely, a small mound of pale beige all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, softened cream cheese scoop on a white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a separate small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter cubes, two whole clean brown eggs with smooth shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with shredded sharp cheddar cheese in vivid orange tones, a small white ceramic bowl of chicken bouillon powder, tiny piles of ground mustard, paprika, pepper, and cumin arranged in a neat line on a clean white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl holding creamy white milk, and another small white ceramic bowl with reduced sodium chicken broth, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Broccoli florets: Fresh and chopped small, they cook evenly and blend smoothly but still give lovely chunky bits.
Olive oil and unsalted butter: This combo boosts flavor and helps sauté your aromatics without overloading on fat.
Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth when sautéed—don’t rush this step!
All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the soup naturally, giving it that velvety texture without heavy cream.
Garlic: The aromatic star that brightens every spoonful.
Reduced sodium chicken broth: Keep the salt in check while layering savory notes.
Milk: Using your preferred kind adds creaminess without heaviness—dairy or plant-based works great.
Chicken bouillon: A little umami punch that rounds out the soup, but you can omit for vegetarian versions.
Spices (ground mustard, paprika, pepper, cumin, salt): Don’t underestimate these—they add personality and balance to all that cheese and broccoli.
Cream cheese: Lightens the texture while keeping that luscious creaminess we all crave.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded is key—melts beautifully and delivers that cheesy kick.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this soup depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry. It’s flexible, so feel free to play around and make it your own—after all, the best recipes are the ones that fit your life and taste buds.

Variation: I sometimes swap out chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly—just add a splash of soy sauce for extra depth.
Spice it up: Toss in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika if you want a little smoky heat.
Vegan-friendly: Use plant-based milk, vegan cream cheese, and vegetable broth to easily turn this soup into a creamy vegan delight.
Add-ins: Roasted cauliflower or a handful of spinach stirred in near the end amps up the veggie power nicely.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics Just Right

Start by melting the butter in the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onions and let them cook gently for about 3 minutes until they’re soft and translucent. Then, sprinkle in the flour and stir it continuously for 2 minutes—this cooks out the raw flour taste and starts your base thickening. Next, add your minced garlic for another minute or two until fragrant. Don’t rush this step; well-cooked aromatics really build the flavor from the ground up.

Step 2: Add the Broth, Milk & Spices

Lower the heat to keep things gentle and slowly whisk in the chicken broth and 2 cups of milk. This helps avoid lumps and gets your soup creamy without boiling it too hard. Stir in the chicken bouillon cube (crumbled or powdered), salt, and all your spices—ground mustard, paprika, cumin, and pepper—then add the broccoli. The spices add a subtle warmth that’ll surprise you in the best way.

Step 3: Simmer Until Perfectly Tender

Bring the soup up to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly to prevent burning on the bottom. Once it starts to thicken—usually about 3-5 minutes—turn the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks, and test the broccoli with a fork to make sure it’s tender but not mushy. This step is key, so don’t rush it!

Step 4: Blend Half the Soup with Cream Cheese

Carefully scoop out about half of the soup along with the softened cream cheese into a blender. Blend until smooth but be sure to let the steam escape—either remove the center cap or use a kitchen towel to cover the opening. Hot liquids and sealed lids just don’t mix well here! Pour the creamy puree back into the pot to combine that silky texture with the chunkier bits.

Step 5: Stir in Cheese and Adjust Consistency

Add your shredded sharp cheddar cheese slowly, a handful at a time, stirring well after each addition so it melts evenly without clumping. Pour in the remaining milk little by little to reach your perfect soup consistency—thick enough to spoon but light and flowy. Finally, taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks for the perfect Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe. These tips help keep it creamy without heaviness and ensure maximum flavor every time.

Cooking the flour: DON’T skip the two-minute flour cook step—it prevents any raw flour taste and builds a natural thickener.
Blending safely: Never blend hot soup fully sealed; let the steam out to stop splattering and keep your blender lid intact.
Freshly shredded cheese: Pre-shredded often has anti-caking agents that can affect melting—shred it yourself!
Simmer gently: High heat can cause cheese to separate—keep it low and slow after adding cheese.

How to Serve Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Broccoli Cheese Soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish this soup with a sprinkle of extra shredded sharp cheddar for that cheesy shower on top. Sometimes, a few cracked black pepper flakes or a drizzle of good olive oil gives a nice sheen and flavor boost. Crispy bacon bits or toasted pine nuts make for a great crunchy contrast if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

A crusty whole grain bread or warm garlic knots pair perfectly with this soup—great for dipping! A fresh green salad with a bright vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully for a full meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I've served this soup in mini hollowed-out bread bowls—it looks impressive but is so easy. You can also garnish with herbs like fresh chives or parsley for a pop of color. Adding a swirl of Greek yogurt or sour cream on top gives a lovely tangy contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. It thickens slightly when chilled, so just reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of milk to loosen it up before serving.

Freezing

This soup freezes fairly well, though the texture of the cheese and broccoli might slightly change. I recommend freezing in portioned containers and thawing overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, warm gently over low heat to prevent cheese separation—stirring often helps maintain creaminess. If it’s too thick after cooling, add a bit of milk and stir well to bring it back to the perfect consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just swap the chicken broth and bouillon for vegetable broth alternatives, and you’re good to go. The flavors remain just as comforting.

What’s the best way to shred cheese for this soup?

Grate the cheese fresh from a block using a box grater or food processor attachment—this helps it melt more smoothly compared to pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents.

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

You can! Just keep in mind frozen broccoli has a higher water content, so cook it slightly less in step 3 to avoid mushiness and adjust liquid as needed.

Is this soup suitable for meal prep?

Definitely. It reheats beautifully and can be portioned for grab-and-go lunches or dinners throughout the week. Just store properly in airtight containers as mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe has been a real game-changer in my kitchen, delivering all the comfort of cheesy soup without weighing me down. I hope you find it as satisfying and easy to customize as I do—think of it as a warm hug in a bowl that you can whip up whenever the mood strikes. Give it a try, and I’m sure it’ll become a constant in your meal rotation just like it is in mine!