High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup: A Cozy, Power-Packed Favorite

If you’ve been searching for a High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup that tastes indulgent but still fits your goals, you’ve landed in the right kitchen. Let me tell you—this bowl is creamy, comforting, and so packed with protein that you’ll feel like you just won dinner on a hectic Monday night.

I’ve always believed cooking shouldn’t feel like another item on your never-ending to-do list. As a mom, a wife, and a woman who jumps between errands, emails, and “Did anyone feed the dog?” moments, I want meals that love me back.

And guess what? This High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup absolutely does. It’s cozy enough for chilly evenings, simple enough for busy weekdays, and hearty enough to keep you full for hours—without demanding hours from you.

Why You’ll Love This High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This soup is the superhero of comfort meals—warm, nourishing, and secretly packed with muscle-loving protein thanks to a clever ingredient twist. Spoiler: cottage cheese! Don’t worry. Once it’s blended, it becomes perfectly creamy and disappears into the soup like it was always meant to be there.

Here’s why this recipe has quickly become a favorite in my house (and probably will in yours too):

• It’s creamy without being heavy.
• It’s high protein without tasting like “health food.”
• It uses everyday ingredients you probably already have.
• It’s picky-eater friendly—because cheddar is the great unifier.
• It makes your kitchen smell like a warm, cheesy hug.$

Ingredients You’ll Need

A quick, simple list you can grab on your next grocery run:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3 cups vegetable broth (I love the “not-chicken” style—so cozy!)
• 4 cups chopped broccoli
• 2 cups 1% milk
• 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Simple steps, real ingredients, maximum comfort. This soup was built for busy evenings when you need something warm and reliable—fast.

1. Sauté the Aromatics

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add your onion, carrots, and celery. Cook these veggies for about 10 minutes, stirring often. This is where the magic starts—your home begins to smell like someone who really has their life together.

2. Add the Garlic

Toss in the garlic and cook for one more minute. Garlic burns fast, so don’t wander off to switch the laundry (trust me… learned this the hard way).

3. Stir in the Flour and Smoked Paprika

Sprinkle the flour and smoked paprika over the veggies. Stir until everything is coated and looks slightly thickened. This step helps the soup get that silky, cozy texture.

4. Add Broth & Broccoli

Pour in your warm broth and add the broccoli. Bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly for 8–9 minutes until the broccoli softens.

If your kids “don’t like broccoli,” this is the moment it starts blending into delicious cheesy destiny, so they’ll never know.

5. Add the Milk

Turn the heat to low and stir in the milk. Keep everything slow and gentle here—this soup doesn’t like drama.

6. Bring on the Cheesy Goodness

Add the blended cottage cheese (your protein booster!) and the shredded cheddar. Stir until everything melts together. Don’t crank up the heat or the dairy might curdle. Low and slow wins the race here.

7. Blend for Creaminess

Transfer about one cup of soup to a blender and mix until smooth. Blend with the steam vent open. Pour it back into your pot.

Or—my favorite hack—use an immersion blender and pulse just enough to make the soup creamy while still keeping some hearty broccoli bits.

8. Taste and Season

Finish with salt and pepper. Take a little spoonful and try not to burn your tongue (we all do it anyway).

How to Make High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup in the Slow Cooker

Here’s the easiest way to adapt the stovetop recipe to a slow cooker while keeping all that cozy flavor and creamy texture.

Ingredients (same as original recipe)

You’ll use the same ingredients you already have: veggies, broth, broccoli, milk, cheddar, and blended cottage cheese.

Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Method

1. Add the Base Ingredients
Place the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, smoked paprika, flour, and broth into the slow cooker. Whisk the broth a bit to help the flour dissolve.

2. Add the Broccoli
Stir in the chopped broccoli.

3. Slow Cook
Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the veggies are tender and the broccoli softens.

4. Add Milk + Cheeses
Turn the slow cooker to WARM. Stir in the milk, shredded cheddar, and blended cottage cheese. Let it heat gently for 10–15 minutes until everything melts smoothly.

Tip: Avoid switching back to HIGH after adding dairy. That’s the easiest way to prevent curdling.

5. Blend to Your Desired Creaminess
Use an immersion blender right in the slow cooker, or remove 1–2 cups, blend, and return it to the pot.

6. Season + Serve
Taste and add salt and pepper. Serve warm with crusty bread or a sprinkle of extra cheddar.

Does It Turn Out the Same?

Yes! The slow cooker version is just as creamy and comforting — the only difference is the “set it and forget it” ease. You skip the stovetop sautéing, and the flavors meld beautifully over hours of gentle cooking.

Tips for the Best High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Here are some tricks I’ve learned after making this recipe on days when life felt like one giant list of “urgent” notifications.

Make It Extra Creamy

Blend more or less of the soup depending on the texture you love. Want it thicker? Blend a little extra. Want it chunkier? Blend less.

Don’t Skip the Cottage Cheese

This is the secret that makes this a high protein broccoli cheddar soup instead of just a regular cozy bowl. Once blended, you won’t taste it—but your body will thank you for it.

If the Soup Gets Too Thick

Just add a splash of milk or broth. Thick soup is basically comfort concentrated, so you can’t really go wrong.

Use Freshly Shredded Cheese

Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that keeps it from melting smoothly. Freshly shredded melts like a dream.

Meal Prep Tip

This soup reheats beautifully and thickens in the fridge, making leftovers extra satisfying.

A Little Chef Story from My Kitchen

This recipe was born on one of those weeks where everything hit at once—school projects, a work deadline, a missing sock crisis (why is it always the favorite pair?), and a dog who suddenly decided he was too fancy for his food.

I needed something warm and filling but also quick. I tossed together veggies, cheese, and cottage cheese—because it was the only high-protein thing left in the fridge—and suddenly this beautiful, creamy soup emerged.

It felt like wrapping myself in a warm blanket… one that tastes like broccoli cheddar bliss.

FAQs About High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Bring More Comfort to Your Table

This High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup is everything I love about cozy cooking—simple ingredients, big comforting flavor, and a nourishing boost that keeps you going strong. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids, rushing between meetings, or just craving something warm and satisfying, this soup delivers every time.

Make a batch tonight and let your kitchen feel like the happiest place in your home.

If you try this recipe, come back and tell me how it went—your stories are my favorite part of this cooking journey.

Warmest hugs from my kitchen to yours,

More Delicious Breakfast Ideas You’ll Love

If you enjoyed making this French Toast Casserole, here are a few more comforting breakfast favorites your family will adore. These are perfect for slow mornings, weekend brunch spreads, or anytime you want something warm and cozy on the table.

• For an effortless twist on a classic, try the tender and comforting Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole — a true set-it-and-relax breakfast.
• If you love hearty morning dishes, the savory and satisfying Easy Sausage and Egg Casserole pairs beautifully with any sweet brunch bake.
• Celebrate the season (or make any morning feel special) with a slice of soft, festive Christmas Bread, perfect alongside your favorite warm drink.
• And for a fun, nostalgic treat the whole family will snack on all morning long, don’t miss the irresistible Mini Doughnut Hot Buttered Cheerios.
• If you’re craving something cozy and savory beyond breakfast, you’ll love this creamy, comforting Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Soup — perfect for chilly days or easy weeknight dinners.

High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup: A Cozy, Power-Packed Favorite

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This High Protein Broccoli Cheddar Soup is creamy, cozy, and incredibly satisfying. Packed with tender broccoli, melted cheddar, and blended cottage cheese for an effortless protein boost, this comforting soup is perfect for busy weeknights or chilly days.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 large yellow onion, diced

• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced

• 1 stalk celery, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 3 cups vegetable broth

• 4 cups chopped broccoli

• 2 cups 1% milk

• 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)

• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended

• Salt & pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add onion, carrot, and celery; cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4. Stir in smoked paprika and flour until vegetables are coated.

5. Add broth and broccoli; bring to a simmer.

6. Simmer 8–9 minutes until broccoli softens.

7. Add milk and warm gently over low heat.

8. Stir in blended cottage cheese and shredded cheddar until melted.

9. Blend 1 cup of soup, then return it to the pot (or pulse with an immersion blender).

10. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Keep heat low after adding dairy to prevent curdling.

Use an immersion blender for easy, mess-free blending.

Frozen broccoli works well if fresh isn’t available.

For extra protein, add more blended cottage cheese or a spoon of unflavored protein powder at the end.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
• Calories: 245
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 540mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 25mg