Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Cheesy Croutons

By á-7737

Calories 635kcal, Fat 46.0g, Proteins
22.0g, Carbs 33.5g

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion
• garlic (use 3 large cloves)
• 1½ lb broccoli crowns
• 2 pkts vegetable broth concentrate
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 4 mini French rolls
• olive oil
• all-purpose flour
• coarse kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

1. Prep Ingredients
Preheat oven to 400ºF with a rack in the center. Trim ends from onion, then halve, peel, and finely chop. Peel and finely chop 3 large garlic cloves. Trim ½-inch from bottoms of broccoli stalks, then thinly slice broccoli stems and florets crosswise.

2. Build Flavor
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven or other oven-proof pot over medium-high. Add onion and cook until softened and lightly browned, 4-5 minutes. Add half of the chopped
garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add ⅓ cup flour and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

3. Cook Soup
Add 5 cups water, all the vegetable broth concentrate, broccoli, and 1½ teaspoons salt. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until broccoli is very tender, about 20 minutes. Mash with a potato masher to achieve desired consistency. Remove from heat, stir in cream cheese and ⅔ of cheddar (save rest for step 5).

4. Bake Croutons
Meanwhile, cut or tear rolls into 1-inch cubes. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Bake in oven until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes (watch closely). Once toasted, immediately toss with remaining garlic. Set aside.

5. Broil and Serve
Turn oven to broil. Scatter croutons over soup and top with remaining cheese. Broil in center of oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, 2–4 minutes (watch closely as broilers
vary). Divide between bowls. Enjoy!

6. Extra Credit
Do all of the chopping the night before, or in the AM before you fly out the door, that way you're halfway to the finish line by the time dinnertime rolls around!