Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Crispy Bacon

Name: Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Crispy Bacon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 lb bacon, chopped; 1 1/2-2 heads broccoli, chopped; 1 cup shredded carrots; 1 medium onion, diced; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 tbsp bacon fat; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2-3 cups chicken broth; 2 cups heavy cream; 2 cups sharp cheddar, freshly shredded; 1 tsp chicken bouillon; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Servings---

Prep Time15 Mins

Cook Time35 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

bacon, chopped
1 lb
broccoli, chopped
0.5 heads
shredded carrots
1 cup
medium onion, diced
1
garlic, minced
6 cloves
unsalted butter
2 tbsp
bacon fat
2 tbsp
all-purpose flour
0.3 cup
chicken broth
2 cups
heavy cream
2 cups
sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
2 cups
chicken bouillon
1 tsp
salt
0.5 tsp
black pepper
1 tsp
smoked paprika
1 tsp
cayenne pepper
0.3 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place the chopped bacon in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, then transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tbsp bacon fat in the pot and discard any excess.

Add the butter to the bacon fat. Stir in the diced onion, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne, if using. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion softens, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir until no dry flour remains. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, stirring often so it does not brown too much.