Comfort in a bowl—made lighter, fresher, and full of goodness. At Functional Medicine Los Angeles, we believe that nutritious meals can support your body’s natural healing and energy.
When you think of creamy soups, you might picture something heavy and loaded with cream. But here’s the good news: you don’t need cups of dairy to create a silky, cozy bowl of comfort. This Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup is made with simple ingredients, naturally thickened with vegetables, and full of flavor that kids and adults will love.
✨ Why You’ll Love This Soup
- Nutritious: Packed with fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and antioxidants from broccoli.
- Light & Creamy: Uses potatoes (or cauliflower) to achieve a velvety texture without heavy cream.
- Kid-Friendly: Mild flavor, smooth consistency, and perfect for dipping bread or crackers.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium potato (or 1 cup cauliflower), peeled and diced
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup milk of choice (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
- Optional: 2 tbsp grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast for extra flavor
Directions
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil/butter. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant (about 3 minutes).
- Build the base: Add broccoli, potato/cauliflower, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until broccoli and potatoes are tender.
- Blend it smooth: Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender in batches) and blend until creamy.
- Finish with creaminess: Stir in milk and Parmesan/nutritional yeast, then warm through for 2–3 minutes.
- Serve & enjoy: Ladle into bowls and top with an extra sprinkle of cheese, pumpkin seeds, or fresh herbs.
🌿 Tips & Variations
- For extra nutrition, add a handful of spinach or kale before blending—it won’t change the flavor but boosts vitamins.
- Want it thicker? Add another potato.
- For a chunkier soup, blend only half and leave some broccoli florets whole.
- Serve with whole-grain bread, grilled cheese, or veggie sticks for kids.
💚 Final Thought
This Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup is proof that you can enjoy comfort food while nourishing your body. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but cozy enough to serve at a family gathering. And the best part? Even picky eaters who “don’t like veggies” will happily dig in.
For those in the area, functional medicine Toluca Lake emphasizes the power of food as medicine. Healthy recipes like this soup provide essential nutrients that naturally support your body.
This is at the heart of functional nutrition, which focuses on whole, unprocessed foods for energy and health. Incorporating dishes like this soup into your routine helps you experience the benefits of nutrition, including better digestion, immunity, and vitality.