TL;DR
Get health and wellness essentials delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A recipe published by Seniors Guide on October 7, 2026, outlines a broccoli cheddar soup that makes about seven cups and serves four. It combines equal parts chicken broth and half-and-half, with broccoli simmered briefly and cheddar stirred in after the heat is turned off.
Seniors Guide published a broccoli cheddar soup recipe by Janette Zepeda on October 7, 2026, describing a version that makes about seven cups and serves four. The method combines chicken broth and half-and-half, cooks the broccoli for a short period, then adds shredded cheddar off the heat to melt.
The recipe starts with butter, diced yellow onion, garlic powder, salt and black pepper, cooked in a heavy-bottomed saucepan until the onion is translucent. Flour is stirred in and cooked until lightly browned, then the recipe adds broccoli, half-and-half, low-sodium chicken broth, grated carrot and Dijon mustard. The mixture is brought to a boil and reduced to a simmer.
The published directions say to cook the soup until the broccoli is tender, about five minutes. The article’s introductory notes describe the broccoli as being cooked for eight minutes; the detailed method gives the five-minute instruction. After cooking, the heat is turned off, and eight ounces of shredded mild cheddar are stirred in a handful at a time until melted. Extra cheese and homemade croutons are optional toppings.
The ingredient list calls for four tablespoons of unsalted butter, one medium onion, two tablespoons of flour, three cups of broccoli florets, two cups each of half-and-half and chicken broth, one cup of grated carrot, half a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and the cheddar. Zepeda suggests two minced garlic cloves as an alternative to the garlic powder, heavy cream in place of half-and-half, and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version.
A Practical Make-Ahead Method
The recipe’s main practical detail is its cheese and reheating method. Zepeda recommends preparing the soup only up to the point before adding cheese if it will be made ahead. For reheating, the article advises bringing the soup back to a simmer, turning off the heat and whisking in the cheese. This approach is intended to help avoid overheating the cheese and having it separate.
The instructions also offer shortcuts for weeknight cooking: pre-cut broccoli florets and pre-shredded carrots can reduce preparation time. The broth-and-half-and-half combination is presented by Zepeda as a way to keep the soup creamy while balancing its richness. That description reflects the recipe author’s stated preference, not a measured comparison with other soup recipes.
For readers choosing a meat-free version, the suggested swap is vegetable broth. The source does not provide nutrition information or say whether the finished soup meets any specific dietary standard, so readers would need to check ingredient labels and their own requirements.
Products Worth Considering
Oral-B iO Series 5 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush with 3 Brush Heads and Travel Case, Black
Fitbit Inspire 3 Health and Fitness Tracker Bundle
Therabody SleepMask Blackout Eye Mask with Vibration
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Recipe Is Built
Zepeda’s source article describes the soup as rich but not too heavy, with chicken stock balancing the dairy. It identifies broccoli as the central ingredient for flavor and texture, mild cheddar as the cheese choice, and a small amount of Dijon mustard as an acidic, sharp note. Garlic powder is used with onion and mustard in the recipe’s base.
The recipe is published by Seniors Guide and credits Zepeda as a senior culinary producer for TheKitchn.com. The page carries a 2026 Apartment Therapy copyright and states that it was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Its serving estimate is four, and the stated yield is about seven cups.
“I wanted this soup to feel rich and thick without being too heavy.”
— Janette Zepeda, in the Seniors Guide recipe article
Timing and Dietary Details
The source gives two different cooking-time references for the broccoli: the introductory text says eight minutes, while the recipe directions say about five minutes at a simmer after the mixture comes to a boil. The article does not explain the discrepancy; the detailed directions specify cooking until the broccoli is tender.
The publication does not provide nutrition estimates, a total preparation time or a tested dairy-free alternative. It also does not state how long leftovers can be stored. The vegetarian suggestion changes the broth but leaves the dairy and cheddar in the recipe, so it is not a vegan version.
Serving and Reheating the Soup
The published recipe calls for serving the soup after the cheddar has melted, with additional shredded cheese or croutons if desired. For a make-ahead batch, Zepeda’s instructions point readers to stop before adding the cheese, then reheat the soup to a simmer and add the cheese with the heat off.
No later update or follow-up to the recipe is identified in the source. Readers following the directions should use the broccoli’s tenderness as the stated doneness cue, since the article’s introductory and detailed cooking times differ.
Key Questions
How much soup does the recipe make?
The recipe makes about seven cups and lists four servings.
When should the cheddar be added?
Turn off the heat first, then add the shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until each addition melts before adding the next.
Can the soup be made ahead?
Yes. Zepeda recommends making it up to the point before adding the cheese. Reheat to a simmer, turn off the heat, then whisk in the cheese.
Is there a vegetarian version?
The article suggests replacing chicken broth with vegetable broth. The recipe still contains dairy and cheddar.
How long should the broccoli cook?
The detailed directions say to simmer until tender, about five minutes, while the introduction refers to eight minutes. The source does not explain the difference.
Source: rss
