{"id":35515,"date":"2021-11-23T17:08:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T22:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/?p=35515"},"modified":"2023-06-30T07:25:52","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T12:25:52","slug":"lighter-broccoli-cheddar-soup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/lighter-broccoli-cheddar-soup","title":{"rendered":"Lighter Broccoli Cheddar Soup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lighter Broccoli Cheddar Soup - a healthier version of this popular creamy style soup, using milk instead of cream with delicious fresh broccoli, potato and cheddar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I think we can all say we love a creamy soup right? But sometimes it can feel hard to create your favourite creamy soup on the lighter side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me I have found a combination of semi skimmed milk, stock and cornstarch to thicken work perfectly, the milk gives that creamy taste and far less calories than cream too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I use skimmed milk?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I prefer to use semi skimmed milk for that creamy taste to soups rather than skimmed. Skimmed tends to be a bit more watery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However if skimmed is all you buy, then by all means use it, just be aware the the soup may not be quite the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I use frozen broccoli? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I used fresh broccoli is this recipe, as the overall taste of the soup is a lot more fresh. However if you have some frozen broccoli on hand that you would like to use in the soup, then it should be okay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do however recommend cooking for slightly less cooking time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blending Soup<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don't need a fancy expensive blender to blend this soup, I just use my hand stick blender which was super cheap when I bought it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I want a really smooth soup of course my Vitamix is the best, but for soups like this where I just need to roughly blend and keep some of the chunks of the veg, a stick blender is perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduced Fat Cheddar<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I only buy regular cheese, never been a huge fan of the reduced fat varieties. I find some either don't melt as well or don't have as good a taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However if you only buy reduced fat it should be okay, and if you want to use more to the same calories you can do that too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don't recommend using pre-grated cheddar though, as it doesn't melt as well due to the starch they add to stop it sticking together in the bag. For best results use a block of cheese that you grate yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spray Oil instead versus Butter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You will notice I use 1 tablespoon of butter to saute the veg, this adds flavour and depth to the soup, it's a small amount which is not a huge amount of calories when divided into four servings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to use a spray oil instead, then you can do that, just be aware that you may not get the same flavour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sides for Cheddar Broccoli Soup<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I tend to enjoy just a bowl of this as it is, as its a really filling bowl of soup, but you could bulk it out with some protein like cooked chicken or even add in some cooked rice to make it more of a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A serving of wholemeal bread or a wholemeal roll on the side is another great option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Soup Recipes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking for some other soup recipes? Check out these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n