Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (2024)

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This Italian Broccoli Soup is just like my Grandma used to make! No cream in this soup recipe so it’s comfort food that’s good for you, too!

Grandma’s recipes are the best, aren’t they? Not only do they taste amazing but they bring back so many memories of the food and the people that were making the food for you. One of our most popular recipes is our Grandma’s Sunday Meatballs and Sauce, perfect for those big Sunday meals.

Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (1)

No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe

This Italian Broccoli Soup recipe is made without any cream, so it’s a lot better for you than most broccoli soup recipes with heavy cream and/or cheese. We’re calling this “Italian” broccoli soup only because it’s how my Italian Grandma and aunts used to make it and we absolutely loved it.

There’s no “al dente” broccoli treatment here, either. This broccoli is cooked to death, as my dad always says. Mushy, even, in the best way possible. Top this soup recipe with lots of nutty parmesan cheese, fresh black pepper and a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil and you’ve got a giant bowl of comfort food.

How To Make Italian Broccoli Soup

This broccoli soup recipe is so simple, but you can add your own twists too! Start by cooking broccoli florets and stems in chicken broth with a few cloves of garlic. Smash the garlic cloves but keep them whole so that you can remove them after the broccoli has cooked.

Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (2)

Again, this is not the time and place for al dente vegetables. We want this broccoli cooked – like super soft and almost mushy. That’s how my grandma made it and that’s how were making it here for this Italian Broccoli Soup.

After the broccoli has been cooked, mash it with a potato masher to break it up into smaller pieces but leave some pieces larger for texture. Don’t break it up so much that it’s like baby food, just enough to make it soup-like.

Add orzo, ditalini, broken spaghetti or whatever small sized pasta you have on hand. Cook the soup for another 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and serve.

Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (3)

How To Serve Our Italian Broccoli Soup

Serve this broccoli soup in big bowl with lots of fresh black pepper and good quality grated parmesan cheese on top. Crackers or a loaf of crusty bread for dipping is a must at our house, too!

This broccoli soup recipe is fairly light, not heavy like some broccoli soup that has cream or cheese in it, so this soup can also be served as a side dish to many main courses. My Grandma used to serve this soup with her famous Pot Roast Recipe or alongside a comforting Beef Lasagna.

We ate big in those days.

Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (4)

Other Ways To Make This Soup

This is the basic recipe, but there are many ingredients that you can add to this basic broccoli soup too!

  • Add in other vegetables like carrots or celery
  • Cook onion and garlic in olive oil before adding the broccoli for added flavor
  • Keep it vegetarian by using water instead of chicken broth (bump up the seasonings if using only water)
  • Use cauliflower rice for a lower carb soup option
  • Make this same soup recipe with cauliflower instead of broccoli
  • Add a touch of cream and/or stir in some grated sharp cheddar cheese

Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (5)

Looking For More Soup Recipes?

  • Chicken Corn Chowder
  • Beefy Tomato Soup
  • Split Pea Soup with Ham
  • Slow Cooker Pasta fa*gioli
  • Turkey Soup From Scratch

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    Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (6)

    Italian Broccoli Soup

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 38 reviews
    • Author: Dan
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 6 Servings 1x

    Print Recipe

    This comforting Italian Broccoli Soup is just like my Grandma used to make! No cream, just broccoli, garlic and parmesan cheese so it’s actually good for you too!

    Scale

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound broccoli, cut into stems and florets
    • 4 cups chicken broth (can substitute vegetable broth or all water)
    • 2 cups water
    • 34 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • Fresh black pepper to taste
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
    • 3/4 cup orzo or ditalini pasta
    • Grated parmesan cheese for garnish
    • Extra virgin olive oil for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Add the broccoli to a soup pot or dutch oven. Pour in the broth and water along with the salt, pepper and garlic cloves. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, covered.
    2. Smash the broccoli with a potato masher, or you can use an immersion blender but don’t blend until smooth. Leave larger and smaller pieces of broccoli for texture.
    3. Stir in the pasta and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender, stirring often so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
    4. Add the nutmeg, taste for seasonings and adjust if needed. Serve with grated parmesan cheese and more fresh black pepper if desired.

    Recipe Notes

    Nutrition information is without parmesan cheese and olive oil garnish.

    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stove Top
    • Cuisine: American

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    Italian Broccoli Soup | No Cream Broccoli Soup Recipe | Mantitlement (2024)

    FAQs

    What is cream of broccoli soup made of? ›

    Primary ingredients are broccoli, stock and milk or cream. The broccoli used may be chopped, sliced into small florets or puréed, and some preparations combine both chopped and pureed broccoli. Some versions may use frozen broccoli, and the soup may be thickened using a roux.

    How do you thicken cream of broccoli soup? ›

    Add Flour Or Cornstarch

    You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

    Why did my cream of broccoli soup curdle? ›

    Curdling in a cream soup usually occurs when the milk or cream is added at too high of a heat. As you incorporate the milk and broth into the cooked onion and flour mixture, keep the heat at medium and stir continuously with a whisk. Once all is mixed in, then proceed to heat to a boil.

    Why is my cream of broccoli soup grainy? ›

    If your soup is too lean, it will taste grainy. Try adding some additional cream or milk to the soup until it reaches the desired consistency.

    What does broccoli soup do to your body? ›

    As per studies, broccoli helps improve bone and joint health. It is a rich vitamin K, C, A, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc source. These are crucial nutrients that help strengthen bones and joints. Along with this, antioxidant sulforaphane in broccoli may prevent osteoarthritis.

    How can I make my soup more creamy? ›

    The best options for thickening soup are cream or half and half. Plain yogurt or even freshly grated cheese works well and adds an extra layer of tangy, salty flavor. Add the dairy at the end and avoid bringing the soup to a boil since this can cause yogurt, cheese, or cream to split.

    How long is cream of broccoli soup good for? ›

    How to Store Cream of Broccoli Soup. You'll need to refrigerate this soup within two hours of cooking. Let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for three to four days.

    Why is my cream soup watery? ›

    The solution to this problem is to either utilize more of the roux or slurry, or to utilize a roux or slurry that contains more starch. Another reason that cream soups can become watery is that the vegetables or other ingredients in the soup continue to emit moisture through the cooking process.

    How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

    6 ways to thicken soup:
    1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
    2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
    3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
    4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
    5. Blend in bread. ...
    6. Add lentils or rice.

    Is it safe to eat curdled cream in soup? ›

    Whether you've added too much acid or turned the temperature too high, the proteins within the cream have decided to separate from the sauce and cling together, forming the clumps you see in the sauce. Despite how they look, a curdled cream sauce is completely edible, so you won't get sick from eating it.

    How do you keep cream from curdling in soup? ›

    Reducing Curdling in Cream Soup
    1. Prepare a warm milk/flour mixture to add to hot soup.
    2. Stir some hot soup liquid into cold dairy product to temper it, then add to the soup.
    3. Do not boil the soup after adding any dairy product, especially cheese.
    4. Add acid to the milk instead of milk into the acid.
    Dec 15, 2016

    What cheese melts best in soup? ›

    Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

    How do you fix bitter broccoli soup? ›

    Flavor profiles:
    1. Citrus: A squeeze of lemon juice or orange zest brightens the broccoli and cuts through any bitterness.
    2. Herbs and spices: Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and chili flakes add complexity and warm notes. ...
    3. Cheese: Grated Parmesan or a creamy cheese sauce can mask the distinct taste and add richness.
    Jun 17, 2023

    Why won t my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

    Grate the cheese yourself.

    Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting into a lusciously creamy soup. To ensure that your broccoli cheddar soup has the best smooth and creamy texture, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

    Why is my cream soup foamy? ›

    That means the foam will typically appear when making meat-based broths and, to a lesser degree, soups made from high-protein vegetables such as chickpeas and lentils. When those coagulated proteins cluster together, they can create air pockets, which is what causes the “sudsy bubbles,” says Trout.

    What is cream of soup made of? ›

    A cream soup will often have a soup base, prepared with ingredients such as onion, celery, garlic powder, celery salt, butter, bacon drippings, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, milk, light cream, and chicken stock or vegetable stock. Various vegetables or meats are then added to the base.

    Is cream of broccoli soup gassy? ›

    Broccoli contains carbohydrates, such as dietary fibers, that can cause gas. This is because bacteria in the colon break down carbohydrates and produce gas as part of the digestive process.

    Why is it called cream of soup? ›

    'Cream of' originally meant not only pureed, but cream added, regardless of other ingredients - most modern shop bought versions will either have cream or a product of dairy origin added, which is why there are often warnings about lactose intolerance on 'cream of' soups.

    What is the white stuff in cream of chicken soup? ›

    A: The white specks are chicken fat. While we try to skim off all of the fat, it's difficult and we don't always get it all., but don't worry! The chicken fat will melt when heated and is safe to consume.

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