Homemade Italian Broccoli Soup (Printable version)
A velvety soup featuring fresh broccoli, vegetables, and Parmesan in 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1.25 lbs), cut into florets
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 medium carrot, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
→ Liquids
07 - 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Dairy
09 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
12 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
13 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
02 - Add the diced potato and broccoli florets to the pot. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
03 - Pour in the broth and add the dried Italian herbs. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender.
04 - Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, carefully transfer to a standard blender in batches.
05 - Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It transforms humble broccoli into something luxurious enough for dinner guests
- The entire pot comes together in under an hour with almost zero active effort
02 -
- An immersion blender saves you from transferring hot soup and creates less cleanup
- The potato is non-negotiable if you want that restaurant-style creamy texture without cream
03 -
- Don't skip the potato, it's what creates that luxurious texture without any cream
- Blend thoroughly, any small chunks will affect the silky mouthfeel you're after