Broccoli Cheese Soup has got to be hands down one of my favorite soups. This easy recipe will have a healthy, low calorie but incredibly filling pot of broccoli cheese soup on the table in just 25 minutes from start to finish. That’s right, this soup is not just vegan and gluten free, but it’s also packed with fiber, protein and is dairy free! The best part, this is a great way to get a ton of vegetable servings in one meal.
There are a few comfort foods I have yet to “healthify” and broccoil cheese soup was one of them. The classic is so rich and creamy, I didn’t think I would be able to recreate that without using heavy cream or at least a few cups of cheese. But after making the Best Ever Mushroom White Bean Soup with pureed white beans, I’ve been a bit obsessed with pureeing white beans to thicken soups and sauces, and I’m constantly amazed how filling the dish is with the addition of the white beans.
Well clearly I had to try this with broccoli and cheese soup, after all it’s getting chilly here and there is nothing quite like a big bowl of soup to warm up from the inside out. This soup will certainly be on my weekly rotation, it’s so easy to make and it’s pretty cheap! You could use frozen cauliflower and broccoli to really boost the savings. The big savings comes wtih not having to add 3-4 cups of cheese to the soup. Cheese always seems to make the price skyrocket.
Did I mention this soup is packed with veggies. The other secret ingredient to this thick, creamy soup. CAULIFLOWER. Yup, there is a whole head of cauliflower in there as well. I told you it was packed with veggies. And these are hidden in the cheese soup, so even if your kids refuse to eat the broccoli, you can have them eat the cauliflower “cheese” and they won’t be any wiser to your little trick. I’ve actually been playing around with a cauliflower lately as well. I’m pretty convinced there is nothing that cauliflower can’t do. I can’t wait to share some creative ways to use this versatile veggie soon!
So this soup is crazy simple. Only one pot is required, and the ingredient list (without salt and pepper) is only 9 ingredients. How simple is that? I’m telling you anyone can make this soup, you just need an immersion blender or blender and the best vegan cheese replacement; nutritional yeast.
Nutritional yeast, if you haven’t heard of it before, is a staple in most vegan pantry’s. Not only does it taste very similar to cheese, but it’s packed with protein and other necessary vitamins and minerals. Nutritional yeast is a great way for vegans and vegetarians to get Vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B-12 deficiencies can lead to low white blood cells. Vitamin B-12 is normally found in animal foods. Most vegans and vegetarians are required to supplement with Vitamin B-12 but nutritional yeast and fortified foods like grains and non-dairy milk are great ways to get Vitamin B-12 without supplements.
Nutritional yeast can be found online but I really like to buy mine in the bulk foods bins at Whole Foods or Earth Fare. You can buy just what you need. However, once you try this you will want to start adding it to things like spaghetti and mac and cheese to give it a nutritional boost and that cheesy taste we all love!
So now that you know how healthy this soup is, lets make a pot, put on our comfy slippers and get cozy on the couch with a good movie ok?
Healthy and simple! This Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup would be perfect for #sundaysupper or dinner anyday of the… Click To Tweet
- 1 head cauliflower, removed from thick stalk and cut into small pieces
- 1 box organic vegetable stock
- 1 head broccoli, removed from thick stalk, cut into small bite size pieces
- 2 organic carrots, sliced
- 1 can organic northern white beans
- ¾ cups flax or coconut milk, unsweetened, divided
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. thyme (optional)
- Black pepper to taste
- In a large pot, add ½ the carton of vegetable broth and cauliflower. Cover and cook 12-15 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender.
- While cauliflower is cooking, chop the broccoli and slice the carrots.
- Once cauliflower is tender, blend the cauliflower in the pot with an immersion blender (or transfer to blender and blend in batches, being careful with hot liquids).
- To the cauliflower puree, add the remaining vegetable broth, broccoli, carrots, garlic powder, salt, thyme and black pepper. Stir and cover for 7 minutes, or until broccoli is tender.
- While soup is cooking,rinse and drain the can of northern white beans. After soaking 5 minutes, rinse and drain. Blend with ½ cup non-dairy milk until smooth.
- Add beans and additional ¼ cup non-dairy milk to the soup once the broccoli is tender.
- Add ½ cup nutritional yeast and stir to combine.
- Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
- NOTE: If the soup is too thick for you, add another ¼ cup non-dairy milk
- if the soup is too thin for you, simply simmer on the stove for 5 minutes or until desired consistency is reached.
What about you?
- What’s your favorite soup
- Have you ever tried nutritional yeast?
- What recipe would you like to see “healthified” next?
Save-Your-Pennies Soups:
Bean and Bacon Soup by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Mexican Turkey Bean Soup by What Smells So Good?
Pasta e Fagioli by The Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine
Turkey and Dumpling Soup by Palatable Pastime
Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup by Pancake Warriors
Budget-Savvy Bread and Salads:
Mom’s Buttermilk Biscuits by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Turkey Salad by Food Done Light
Money-Saving Mains:
Black Bean and Bell Pepper Quesadillas by My San Francisco Kitchen
Cajun Blackened Chicken Thighs by Feeding Big
Chicken Enchilada Casserole by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Chicken Enchiladas by The Freshman Cook
Chicken Piccata by Monica’s Table
Chicken Tetrazzini by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
Chimichurri Chicken Thighs by Life Tastes Good
Dutch Baby Pancakes by Brunch with Joy
Easy Cheesy Egg Breakfast Bake with Potatoes and Sausage by From Gate to Plate [or breakfast]
Easy Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Egyptian Rice and Lentils by Wholistic Woman
French Onion Soup Twice Baked Potato by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Gnocchi with Fennel and Pork by Caroline’s Cooking
Italian Baked Chicken by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Lasagna Stuffed Acorn Squash by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Noodles by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Orzo with Leftover Turkey and Sweet Potatoes by Cooking Chat
Sauteed Vegetables by Party Food and Entertaining
Turkey Sausage and Pasta by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Twice Baked Sweet Potato Bar by Momma’s Meals
Yakisoba (Japanese Stir Fried Noodles) by Curious Cuisinere
Don’t-break-the-bank Desserts:
Apple Pecan Bread Pudding by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls by Pies and Plots
Slow Cooker Apple Gingerbread Crumble by The Crumby Cupcake
And more saving suggestions from the Sunday Supper Movement:
Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas for #SundaySupper
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
I absolutely agree about the nutritional yeast flakes! I have to try this soup, it sounds delicious!
Yum yum yummy! My mom and I used to love the broccoli cheddar soup at Panera Bread…this is the perfect substitute 🙂
This looks so good! Perfect for us come this time of year. I love that it’s vegan too, I can’t wait to give it a try.
You’d never guess there wasn’t cream in this soup—it looks so yummy!!!
Kudos to you for turning such a rich and decadent soup into a healthy, vegan version. It looks just like the “real” deal!
I have never tried nutritional yeast but this soup certainly sounds delicious.
Mmmmm!!!! I love cheddar broccoli soup!
Hi Sam! How are you? Supper Sunday is on my to start list. I need to get on it. Have an awesome day!
is it weird that i’d much rather eat vegan “cheese” and nutritional yeast instead of real cheese? anyway, i don’t usually eat broccoli cheddar soup bc of the cheese but i can see myself going for this version!
Broccoli soup is my favourite soup, it’s just so comforting. Coconut milk is the best way to make creamy soups vegan, isn’t it. Delicious recipe!
I’m not a cheese soup fan but those chunks of veggies and it being cheese free…. I need to try this! It’s rainy and cold and if only I was able to make it for dinner tonight (house torn apart for remodeling) I would!
Wow! I need to try this!!! I think I’m going to see if the Hubs notices the switch 🙂 heh heh!
I have been all over soups lately too! This looks right up my alley. I always forget about using nutritional yeast. Love it
Okay, so I have this thing against broccoli cheese soup because of a bad experience I had when I was in college but I have yet to try a yummy vegan version and this looks delicious! Pinning so I can give it a try!!! YAY!
Oh yum! I have a bunch of frozen broccoli so I am def going to be making this one this week:)
Ah this is also one of my favorite soups! I love your ingredients here though! I need to get on a soup-making rampage… And I NEED to try nutritional yeast. I looked for it at the store last night but then forgot to go back to check a different aisle. Pinning for later cuz I seriously need this.
I’m not usually a soup person but this looks really tasty! and I love cheese! so I will definitely be giving this a try!
I absolutely love Broccoli Cheese Soup, so I can’t wait to try this version! It looks so dang good! Thanks for sharing it at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
I am such a fan of soup in all varieties, but I have never had a cheese and broccoli one. This looks so velvety and delish.
Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
I could eat a big bowl of this soup right now!
Okay, we are twinning here. Broccoli cheddar is one of my fave soups, too! I love all the easy subs you made to make this dish vegan, esp. the nutri yeast. I love sprinkling that stuff on toast with olive oil!
I am crazy about anything with cheese or made of cheese and I love brocolli! Great combo! Thanks for sharing this!
Sound & looks amazing. Pinned & shared. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party.
mmm, I can feel how warming this is!
I’ve never tried nutritional yeast before. Your soup looks so good. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday.
What a great soup! I have a similar recipe but not as healthy…Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! Hope to see you again this week! Pinned!
I keep reading about nutitioanl yeast but have never used it. I really should as it would open up a lot of lovely cheesey recipes like this one. #freefromfridays
Hi there,
I am definitely going to try this yummy looking soup!
As a vegan/vegetarian who has done some significant research, I understand that vitamin B12 does not come from animal or plant sources (referring to your mention of it that it comes from an animal source). That is why it is recommended that vegans take a B12 supplement.
Thank-you.
I would recommend leaving out the beans. I just made this and the beans ruined the taste of the soup. 10/10 would not recommend using them and just follow the recipe without that. It was thick enough without them as I used a lot of cauliflower.
Sorry you didn’t love it with the beans, but I’m glad you liked it without the beans. Thanks for the feedback!
This soup was delicious!! I added a little paprika to give it a kick. I also added some go veggie cheddar cheese at the end but realized I really didn’t need to do that, the soup is awesome as is!
This was absolutely delicious!!!
I didn’t have Northern beans, so I used chickpeas instead and it was super yummy!
Thank you so much for this recipe. It is delicious. My 21 month loves it too. I made it the first time with broccoli instead of cauliflower and it was good. Then I tried with caulifower and it was yummy. Both times I left out the Beans because I am eating paleo/whole30. I have made this four times already- quick and easy. Great way to get my veggies in and use nutritional yeast that I have been wanting to use for a long time.
I made this today. Delicious! I doubled the recipe to feed 5 adults and make sure I had a bit of leftovers. Instead of doubling the cauliflower, I used 1 head of cauliflower and broccoli each for the creamed base. Also, I accidentally opened chickpeas instead of navy beans. It worked. Tastes great! I will be making this again!
I just made this and it’s delish! Thanks for sharing.
Delicious! I doubled the recipe and my teens all loved it 🙂 Thank you
Yum!
I just made this using Hemp milk and mung beans!! I didn’t have white beans prepared, & I prefer not to use canned beans. It’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! I’m new to being vegan and this hits the spot. Thank you so much for the recipe . I will definitely be making this again and trying different versions.
Thanks for this recipe! I tried it, it really is quick, easy and delicious, everybody including kids loved it! I used frozen broccoli and cauliflower and added some other veggies (pumpkin and chinese leek) and I don’t think it made a big difference! Thanks again!
Just made this and it’s yummy!
I have made this soup twice, we love this recipe! 2nd time I made with my own homemade veg broth. Turned out soooo good. Thank you for recipe. 5 stars, highly recommend.
I mad this soup on Sunday night with the intention of taking some for lunch the next day. Instead my husband and I kept going back for “one more bowl” until nothing was left. 🙂 We will definitely make this one again, Great recipe!
Oh my gosh, thank you for this recipe. It is so good and addicting. I’ve made it twice this week alone. It is delicious! I feel like I’m cheating but I’m not!