Do you Know What To Serve With Broccoli Cheese Soup? You can go from soup to a complete meal in minutes with these delicious side options!
Nothing beats a big broccoli cheese soup when the weather turns cold. This classic comfort food can be enjoyed with various side dishes, depending on your preference. Here are some ideas to get you started.
What is Broccoli Cheese Soup?
This creamy and delicious vegetable soup is made of broccoli, carrot, onion, and a creamy cheese base. Broccoli cheese soup can be enjoyed alone as an appetizer or a light meal.
It may also complement a more extensive meal as a side dish. This soup is usually cream based, but a lower-fat version without cream may be substituted. Some people prefer to add milk to the soup base.
What is the History of Broccoli Cheese Soup?
This dish has been around for quite some time, but its exact origins are unclear. Many believe this recipe was born out of necessity, due to what was available during this time.
According to some sources, broccoli and cheese were scarce during the Victorian era. To produce a nutritious and filling dish for their families, many cooks would use whatever ingredients were available then.
What to Serve with Broccoli Cheese Soup?
The primary purpose of this recipe is to provide a savory and filling meal for many people. Many people enjoy eating it with crackers, breadsticks, or bread. You could also try serving it as a side dish to accompany the main course, such as meat, poultry, or seafood dishes.
When making this recipe, you should make enough to have leftovers. You can enjoy this dish for lunch the next day or freeze it for future meals. Below are some delicious side dishes that complement broccoli cheese soup.
Here are some suggestions on what to serve with broccoli cheese soup:
1. Baked Kale Chips:
Baked Kale Chips are a great option. They are high in vitamins and minerals, and they’re tasty too! If you’re eating a lot of broccoli cheese soup, having a side dish that offers some variety is good.
Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables, so you will feel less guilty about consuming this dish. Bake kale at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until browned. Make sure you keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t burn.
2. Sweet Potato Fries:
A healthy snack, sweet potato fries are packed full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber and offer a great source of vitamin A, flavonoids, and beta-carotene (which can help prevent cancer).
They’re also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. You may use sweet potatoes instead of plain potatoes if you don’t suffer from nightshade allergies.
3. Veggie Burgers:
A great choice, veggie burgers are a delicious option. They can be made at home or purchased from your local grocery store. Veggie burgers come in wide varieties.
Some common ingredients are beans, lentils, brown rice, oats, and vegetables. Many of these patties have a savory flavor and will complement the taste of broccoli cheese soup nicely.
4. Mixed Greens Salad:
A great way to get some healthy greens into your diet is by eating a big salad for dinner. You can always customize the veggies and the type of lettuce you use to fit your taste.
However, mixed greens are a good option when serving broccoli cheese soup because they provide a lot of vitamins and minerals in addition to plenty of antioxidants.
5. Whole Grain Bread:
For a simple yet delicious side dish, try whole-grain breadsticks or bread. This will make for a great sandwich or use up any remaining soup that all may not have eaten. When making this choice, try to stick with whole grains. This will give you more fiber and provide more vitamins than other types of bread.
6. Cornbread:
A healthier choice, cornbread is also an excellent option for broccoli cheese soup. It has less fat than many other bread recipes, and it provides you with some fiber. You can make this dish home or purchase it from your local grocery store to enjoy with your broccoli cheese soup.
7. Grilled Cheese:
If you love bread and cheese, perhaps grilled cheese is the way to go. This dish is extremely simple, and you can customize it to your liking.
Grilled cheese is one of the most popular sandwiches ever. It has been around for centuries, but what makes this sandwich so tasty? The answer lies in the bread!
You can use whole wheat or sourdough as a healthy alternative to white bread. Whole-wheat bread will make you feel full faster, making it a perfect choice for someone looking to eat less. It is also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
To spice things up a little, add some fresh basil and tomato slices to the grilled cheese, or enjoy it plain. These additions will make the sandwich more appealing while providing additional nutrients and antioxidants.
8. Fruit Salad:
Fruit salad is a healthy dish served as an appetizer or light dessert. Mixed fruit salad is a great complement to broccoli cheese soup because of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in fruits such as apples, bananas, and oranges.
Fruits are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Blueberries, for example, contain antioxidants that may help prevent cancer.
When purchasing fruit for this dish, select fresh produce over canned to ensure you get the most nutrients from it.
9. Light Dinner Rolls:
A healthier way to serve baked potatoes and broccoli cheese soup are by using light dinner rolls instead of heavy or sweet ones. This way, you’ll be able to avoid consuming large amounts of sugar without having to compromise the taste of your meal.
Crackers are also a good alternative.
Dinner rolls are usually served alongside grilled meats or poultry, so it is best to purchase them fresh. They go great with broccoli cheese soup because they help to give you the energy you need to get through your day.
10. Crackers:
A popular snack food, crackers have been around for thousands of years! They were originally made from baked flour or crushed grain and were eaten to preserve food for later use.
Crackers are a healthy alternative to bread as well. They are generally served with dips, soups, and salads. So if you’re looking for an alternative to broccoli cheese soup that is high in fiber and low in fat, then try these crackers.
11. Bread Bowl:
A fun twist on broccoli cheese soup, bread bowls are an interesting way to serve this dish. They are also a great choice if you want to enjoy broccoli cheese soup but want a lighter meal.
Perhaps serve this dish in tall glasses or small bowls! This will make it easier for the kids to eat more without getting full quickly.
12. Whole Grain Butter Cornbread:
This dish may sound strange, but let us explain. If you enjoy cornbread at home, chances are that you have made your cornbread at some point. But did you know that you can make this dish using whole grains?
Cornbread is a tasty alternative to white bread. You can find cornbread at your local grocery store and purchase it freshly baked or make it yourself at home.
13. Broccoli Slaw:
A healthy alternative, broccoli slaw is made by shredding raw broccoli into very small pieces. Slaw is fresh and perfect for toppings or as a light side dish with your favorite sandwich or soup.
Chopped carrots and cilantro may be added to give them some flavor. This dish is a great way to add some vegetables to your diet. It is tasty, low in fat, and high in fiber.
14. Fries:
It doesn’t get much easier than this! Fries are a delicious side for just about any meal, especially hamburgers. They are also a great choice for enjoying broccoli cheese soup because they are extremely popular and easy to purchase from your local fast food restaurant. If you want fries that are good for you, choose an alternative to the potatoes commonly used. These include sweet potatoes and squash.
15. Cinnamon-Sugar Tater Tots:
A delicious way to serve broccoli cheese soup, cinnamon-sugar tater tots are crispy potato nuggets that have a butter and cinnamon topping. For this dish, you can use frozen tater-to-pastry dough or home-cooked roast potato tater-to-casseroles.
Potatoes are a starchy vegetable and a good source of energy. They are also high in vitamin C and magnesium, which can help you deal with stress.
16. Dried Fruit:
Are you looking for something sweet to complement your broccoli cheese soup? Then you should consider dried fruit! Dried cherries, apricots, raisins, and bananas are great choices. These ingredients can be added to yogurt or fresh salads to give them extra flavor without adding fat or sugar.
17. Yogurt:
Yogurt is one of the healthiest cheeses available, but it is also a great snack that can be enjoyed alone, with fruit, or as a side dish to complement your favorite sandwich or soup. Low calories make it a great snack for kids and adults alike.
The naturally sweet taste of yogurt will help you avoid adding too much sugar to your broccoli cheese soup. If you prefer flavored yogurt, add fresh fruit for extra flavor and antioxidants.
18. Curry:
A tasty alternative to broccoli cheese soup, curry is a popular dish in many cultures. Heating spices and herbs, making it with coconut milk, and cooking until the mixture reaches a thick consistency. This dish can be served hot, at room temperature, or chilled.
This a good option if you’re looking for something healthy yet still tastes great! Curry is also an excellent way to add more carbohydrates to your diet since it is high in fiber and protein.
19. Hummus:
Another alternative to broccoli cheese soup, hummus, is a tasty dip served alone or as a side dish. This nutritious snack can be found in most grocery stores and contains whole grains, which are excellent sources of fiber and low in fat.
Hummus also comes with many health benefits. Since it’s made from chickpeas, it may help you avoid diabetes and lower your cholesterol levels. It is also high in potassium, sodium, and phosphorous minerals.
20. Cottage Cheese:
This dish is very popular in Greece, and it has a lot of antioxidants to help your body maintain a healthy diet. If you’re looking for something that’s high in protein and low in fat, then cottage cheese might be the answer. It is also extremely filling and can be served as a snack or with your favorite bread or crackers.
21. Guacamole:
Guacamole is a dip made from mashed avocado and fresh lime juice, a healthy alternative to broccoli cheese soup that is popular in many Mexican restaurants. This tasty dish can be enjoyed alone or as a side dish with your favorite sandwich or soup.
You can use low-fat sour cream instead of avocados to make an even healthier version of guacamole. Of course, you will have to take out some fat before making this substitution.
10 Tips to Help You Eat Healthy Serve With Broccoli Cheese Soup:
1. Put away the sugar:
One of the first things you can do to make your broccoli cheese soup healthy is to remove the sugar. The processed sugar added to most recipes has been linked with diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
2. Use low-fat products:
Try lower-fat ingredients like fat-free cheese, skim milk, non-fat yogurt and low-fat sour cream when possible.
3. Use healthier fats:
You can make your broccoli cheese soup healthier by using unsweetened applesauce in place of oil. This will add flavor but will also reduce your fat intake.
4. Add whole grains:
Add whole grains like brown rice or quinoa to your broccoli cheese soup for added fiber and vitamins. You must use gluten-free whole-grain alternatives if you are a Celiac patient.
5. Add extra vegetables:
Broccoli and cheese are the only vegetables added to broccoli cheese soup recipes, so you might consider adding more healthy and beneficial veggies like carrots, onions, and peppers. This will make for a healthier dish with more nutrients.
6. Add herbs and spices:
Add some herbs and spices to your broccoli cheese soup for added flavor without the processed ingredients. For an extra nutritional boost, you can add some antioxidant-rich vegetables like tomatoes, red bell peppers, or spinach.
7. Add extra protein:
Add some extra protein if you want to make your broccoli cheese soup healthier. You can try replacing the chicken used in most recipes with beef, turkey, or low-fat seafood.
8. Make it portable:
Consider adding cooked noodles or mini muffins to make your broccoli cheese soup more portable. No one wants to eat a bowl of soggy tortilla chips when you’re on the go!
9. Try a vegetarian or vegan option:
Most broccoli cheese soup recipes contain chicken or beef broth, but if you are a vegetarian, you can use vegetable broth. For strict vegans, you might consider using vegetable broth with soy milk.
10. Go green:
A green version of your favorite soup might be something you didn’t think of before, but it’s a great idea. The ingredients are similar to traditional recipes, but you can use spinach or kale instead of broccoli and low-fat cheese instead of regular cheddar.
How long is broccoli cheese soup good for?
Broccoli cheese soup is good for at least five days in the refrigerator. To make it even better, freeze it and reheat it before serving. You can prepare your soup with one or two ingredients, and you won’t have to worry about having leftover food in your fridge.
If you can’t stand the idea of all that butter, try making this broccoli cheese soup recipe with a higher ratio of vegetables to dairy products. You will be surprised at how much more nourishing and flavorful your homemade version is compared to the commercial brands.
How much water does broccoli cheese soup require?
The amount of water you should add to this recipe is about two cups. Don’t add more or less. If you feel the sauce is not thick enough, you must find another way to thicken your soup. Choose a healthier option, like crushed or pureed vegetables, or add some whole grains to your homemade version.
How long can you make this recipe in advance?
You can prepare this recipe up to three days ahead of time. You can also prepare it in advance by freezing the broccoli until you are ready to cook it, then defrosting and cooking it all together.
If you are short on time or ingredients, try replacing the chicken or beef broth with a quick vegetable broth or stock. This can help reduce your cooking time significantly. You will still end up with an extremely healthy meal that tastes great!
What is the serving size for broccoli cheese soup?
The serving size for broccoli cheese soup is one cup. If you have never measured serving sizes, a cup is equivalent to one serving. You can use a coffee cup or small bowl to get the perfect amount of soup per person for this recipe.
Conclusion
After reading this article, I hope you better understand how to eat broccoli cheese soup healthily. If you have any misconceptions about this popular dish, I think they should be cleared up now.
For many, broccoli and cheese are two of the most popular home cooking ingredients. When these two ingredients are combined, they can create a meal that is both delicious and highly healthy for anyone to enjoy.
