Creamy Broccoli-Cauliflower Hidden Veggie Soup

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A velvety, undetectable veggie-packed soup where broccoli and cauliflower blend seamlessly into a rich, comforting broth. This american-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs butter, medium onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 2 cups broccoli florets and 1 cup cauliflower florets to the pot, stirring to coat with butter. Cook for 3 minutes until vegetables are slightly softened, then pour in 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are very tender. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes, then puree the soup in a blender until completely smooth (blending in batches if necessary).
4. Step 4: Return the pureed soup to the pot, stir in 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat over low heat for 5 minutes until the cheese melts and the soup is heated through, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.