Cheddar Broccoli Soup with The CUBE

This Cheddar Broccoli Soup is a comforting classic, perfect for cozy nights or quick meals on the go! With The CUBE home freeze dryer, you can make a big batch and freeze-dry it for easy, delicious, and nutritious meals whenever you need them. Freeze drying allows you to preserve the creamy texture and cheesy goodness of this soup, making it ready to enjoy in minutes with just hot water. Here’s how to make and freeze-dry this hearty soup with The CUBE.

Ingredients

Yields 8 servings

• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ onion, chopped
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped broccoli florets
• 1 cup matchstick-cut carrots
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 2 ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Sauté the Onion:
   Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

2. Make the Base:
   In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together ¼ cup melted butter and flour. Continue whisking and cooking for 3-4 minutes, adding 1-2 tablespoons of milk if necessary to prevent the flour from burning.

3. Add Liquids:
   Gradually whisk in the remaining milk, followed by the chicken stock. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.

4. Cook the Vegetables:
   Add the broccoli, carrots, celery, and sautéed onion to the pot. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.

5. Add Cheese:
   Stir in the Cheddar cheese until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Prepare for Freeze Drying:
   Allow the soup to cool completely. Spread the soup evenly across The CUBE trays. 

FREEZE-DRYING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour soup evenly on trays lined with silicone mats. Make note of the weight of the trays with food.
2. Process according to freeze-dryer instructions.
3. When finished freeze-drying, note the weight of the trays. The difference in weight of the trays before and after freeze-drying is the recommended amount of water needed to reconstitute.

TO RECONSTITUTE

Add recommended amount of hot water. Stir and let sit a few minutes until fully reconstituted. More, or less, than the recommended amount of water can be added to get the desired consistency.

Why Freeze Dry with The CUBE?

With The CUBE home freeze dryer, you can make big batches of soups like this Cheddar Broccoli Soup and have them ready at a moment’s notice. Freeze-dried meals retain their flavor, nutrients, and creamy textures, making them perfect for quick and convenient meals whether you’re at home or on the go. Try The CUBE today and start building your pantry with easy, homemade freeze-dried soups and meals!