This Smoked Gouda Broccoli Soup is the perfect balance of creamy comfort and rich, smoky flavor. Tender broccoli florets and sweet carrots float in a velvety gouda base, making each spoonful a warm hug on a cold day. The smoky cheese adds depth without overpowering the fresh vegetable flavors, creating a harmonious bowl that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
Best of all, this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes in one pot making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekend lunches. Pair it with crusty bread or a crisp side salad, and you’ve got a complete meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple. It’s the kind of soup you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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¼ cup unsalted butter
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1 medium onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
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16 ounces vegetable or chicken broth
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16 ounces whole milk
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon paprika
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¼ teaspoon pepper
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1 large head broccoli, chopped into small florets
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1 large carrot, grated
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8 ounces (226 g) smoked gouda cheese, freshly grated
Directions:
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In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
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Add the onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until lightly browned and translucent.
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Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
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Sprinkle in the flour, stirring to form a paste, and cook for 1 minute.
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Slowly whisk in broth, milk, salt, paprika, and pepper until smooth.
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Add broccoli and carrot, stirring to combine, then bring to a simmer.
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Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10–12 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
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Remove from heat and gradually stir in gouda, mixing until fully melted and creamy.
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Serve warm, optionally topped with garlic butter croutons.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 479 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Smoked Gouda Broccoli Soup – A Cozy Twist on a Classic
When the weather turns crisp and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a warm bowl of homemade soup. The aromas of simmering vegetables, rich broth, and melting cheese instantly create a sense of comfort. Among the many soup varieties, broccoli and cheese soup has always been a beloved favorite. But when you swap out the usual cheddar for smoked gouda, something magical happens the result is a rich, smoky, and velvety dish that’s just as indulgent as it is nourishing.
Smoked Gouda Broccoli Soup is not your everyday bowl of comfort. It’s the kind of recipe that bridges rustic home cooking with a touch of gourmet flair. The smoked gouda adds a distinctive flavor profile: mildly salty, creamy, and infused with a subtle woodsy smokiness that lingers beautifully after each bite. This nuanced flavor elevates the soup from familiar comfort food to something a little more special without adding complexity to the preparation.
Why Smoked Gouda?
Cheddar may be the traditional choice for broccoli soup, but gouda brings something different to the table. Originating from the Netherlands, gouda is known for its buttery texture and mild sweetness. When it’s smoked, it takes on layers of flavor reminiscent of campfires, cured meats, and roasted nuts.
One of the reasons smoked gouda works so well in this soup is its excellent melting quality. It blends seamlessly into a creamy soup base, ensuring that every spoonful is smooth and luscious rather than grainy. The smokiness enhances the savory notes of the broth while complementing the natural sweetness of carrots and the earthy freshness of broccoli.
If you’ve never cooked with smoked gouda before, you might be surprised at how versatile it is. In addition to soups, it’s a fantastic addition to sandwiches, pasta bakes, omelets, and even gourmet-style mac and cheese. But in this recipe, it truly shines because its flavor permeates the entire dish, transforming the classic broccoli-and-cheese combination into something deeper and more complex.
A Perfect Balance of Comfort and Freshness
Broccoli is the star vegetable in this dish, and for good reason. Its mild, slightly bitter taste and firm texture pair beautifully with creamy, cheesy soups. In this recipe, the broccoli is cut into small florets, allowing it to cook evenly while retaining its bright green color and a pleasant bite. Combined with grated carrots, which add natural sweetness and a pop of color, the vegetables ensure the soup feels fresh and vibrant rather than overly heavy.
The base of the soup starts with a traditional roux butter and flour cooked together to create a thickening agent. This forms the backbone of many classic creamy soups, giving them structure and body. Once the roux is combined with broth and milk, it transforms into a silky canvas ready to carry all the flavors of the vegetables, spices, and cheese.
Paprika, pepper, and just the right amount of salt help balance the richness. The paprika in particular adds a gentle warmth and an appealing golden hue, further enhancing the soup’s inviting appearance.
Ideal Pairings
While Smoked Gouda Broccoli Soup is satisfying on its own, pairing it with the right accompaniments can turn it into a truly memorable meal.
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Crusty Bread or Garlic Toast – Perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.
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Buttery Croutons – Add a satisfying crunch and a little extra indulgence.
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Grilled Cheese Sandwich – A classic pairing, but try using gouda for a cheese-on-cheese experience.
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Fresh Green Salad – A light counterbalance to the richness of the soup.
For a dinner party, consider serving it in small bread bowls for an impressive and edible presentation. The smoky aroma will draw your guests in before they even take the first spoonful.
Seasonal Comfort
This soup is particularly well-suited to the colder months. The smokiness of the gouda feels naturally aligned with autumn and winter flavors think roasted root vegetables, mulled cider, and fireside evenings. It’s also a wonderful way to use up seasonal broccoli from your garden or local farmers’ market.
However, there’s no rule against enjoying it year-round. Its relatively quick cooking time makes it practical for a weeknight meal, even in spring, when paired with lighter sides.
Storage and Reheating
One of the great advantages of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. While many soups taste even better the next day, cream-based soups like this require a bit of care. Properly stored in an airtight container, it will keep in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
When reheating, avoid high heat, which can cause the dairy to separate. A gentle warm-up over medium-low heat, with occasional stirring, is best. If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, you can loosen it with a splash of milk or broth before reheating.
Freezing is not recommended, as dairy-based soups often develop a grainy texture when thawed. For the best quality, enjoy it fresh or within a few days.
Tips for the Best Results
Even though this is a simple soup to make, there are a few key tips to ensure it turns out perfectly every time:
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Freshly grate your cheese – Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting and texture.
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Don’t rush the cheese melting process – Remove the pot from the heat before adding cheese to avoid separation or graininess.
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Test your vegetables for doneness – Broccoli should be tender but not mushy, so check it with a fork before finishing the soup.
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Adjust seasoning at the end – Smoked gouda is naturally salty, so taste the soup before adding extra salt.
A Versatile Base Recipe
This smoked gouda broccoli soup also serves as a base you can customize to your liking. Want more protein? Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or crispy bacon. Craving more vegetables? Add diced potatoes, cauliflower, or spinach. You could even swap the gouda for another cheese entirely cheddar, gruyère, or Monterey Jack are all great alternatives.
Vegetarians can stick with vegetable broth, while meat-eaters might enjoy the depth that chicken broth provides. For a richer, almost decadent version, swap whole milk for half-and-half or heavy cream.
The Joy of One-Pot Cooking
In addition to its flavor, one of the biggest appeals of this recipe is its simplicity. Everything cooks in a single pot, which means fewer dishes to clean and less kitchen chaos. This is especially helpful if you’re cooking on a busy weeknight or don’t have the time (or energy) for a complex meal.
The 30-minute total time makes it a prime candidate for a quick dinner after work, a weekend lunch, or even a starter course for a holiday gathering.
A Comfort Food with a Twist
There’s a reason broccoli and cheese soup has remained a staple in home kitchens and restaurant menus alike it’s the perfect combination of creamy indulgence and wholesome vegetables. Smoked gouda gives this beloved classic a fresh twist, adding depth without overpowering the familiar flavors people love.
Whether you’re curled up on the couch with a blanket, hosting friends for a casual dinner, or looking for a quick but satisfying family meal, Smoked Gouda Broccoli Soup delivers every time. It’s proof that with just a few quality ingredients and simple techniques, you can create a dish that feels both everyday and special.
Conclusion:
Smoked Gouda Broccoli Soup is more than just a quick weeknight dinner it’s a sensory experience. The smell of the butter browning with onions, the sight of broccoli turning bright green in the simmering pot, the velvety texture of the melted gouda, and the deep, smoky flavor all come together to make something truly memorable. It’s a soup that feeds both body and soul, offering comfort with every spoonful.
The next time you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and deeply satisfying, step away from the ordinary cheddar and give smoked gouda a try. You might just find it becomes your new favorite way to enjoy this timeless classic.