Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until shimmering. This will create a beautiful base for your dish. Once it’s hot, add in the onion and sauté for about 3 to 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant. The aroma of the cooked onions will fill your kitchen with warmth.
- Next, toss in the carrots and thyme. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. You want the carrots to soften a bit but still retain some texture.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, and then add the broccoli, bay leaves, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
- While the soup simmers, let’s make the dumplings! In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Carefully add the buttermilk, parmesan cheese, and sage, mixing until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dumplings light and fluffy.
- Once the broccoli is tender, remove the bay leaves from the soup. Transfer about three-quarters of the soup to a blender and blend until the broccoli is finely chopped. This will give your soup a creamy texture while still leaving some chunks for heartiness. Return the blended soup to the pot.
- Bring the soup back to a boil over medium-high heat. Using a heaping tablespoon, drop the dumpling dough into the soup, adding about 6 dumplings at a time to avoid overcrowding. Cover the pot and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. The dumplings will puff up and become fluffy, adding a delightful texture to the soup.
- Once the dumplings are cooked through, carefully move them aside or, if necessary, remove them from the soup. Stir in the milk and cheddar cheese, cooking until melted and creamy. Give it a taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Finally, ladle the soup and dumplings into bowls and serve them hot, topped with freshly cracked pepper. Enjoy every hearty bite of this comforting dish!
Notes
When preparing One Pot Broccoli Cheddar and Dumplings, here are some notes to keep in mind for the best results:
- Storage: This dish keeps well in the fridge. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It can last for up to three days.
- Freezing: While you can freeze the soup, the dumplings may lose their texture. Consider freezing the soup base and adding fresh dumplings when reheating.
- Pairing: Serve this dish with a light salad or crusty bread to complement the rich flavors.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables like peas or corn for different flavors.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your taste. You can omit it for a milder version.