Homemade Italian Broccoli Soup (Printable Version)
A comforting, velvety soup featuring fresh broccoli, aromatic vegetables, and Parmesan, ready in 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1.1 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)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add diced potato and broccoli florets. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Pour in broth and add dried Italian herbs. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
04 - Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender in batches), puree until smooth and creamy.
05 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its incredibly forgiving, unlike cream based soups that can separate or curdle
- The humble broccoli transforms into something silky and restaurant worthy
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors deepen
02 -
- Blending hot soup too aggressively can cause it to splatter, so start on low speed
- Overcooking the broccoli before pureeing can dull the vibrant green color
- The soup continues to thicken as it sits, so adjust the broth before storing leftovers
03 -
- Reserve a few small broccoli florets to steam separately and garnish the soup for texture contrast
- A pinch of red pepper flakes in the initial sauté adds a gentle warmth that balances the creaminess