3Cut six strips of bacon into pieces. This part is optional, but if you prefer smaller bits of broccoli, go ahead and give it a rough chop.
4Create your better than bouillon mixture if you're using that instead of chicken broth.
5Shred 4 ounces of sharp cheddar and 4 ounces of sharp white cheddar.
6Cook your bacon over medium heat until it's nice and crispy, then completely remove from the pot, leaving the grease behind.
7Add 3 tablespoons of butter and your diced onions to the pot and cook over medium heat until softened.
8Add your garlic and stir until fragrant.
9Sprinkle in your flour and mix until incorporated to create a roux.
10Add 4 cups of chicken broth and stir for a minute or two to allow it to thicken, and make sure you scrape all those brown bits off the bottom for flavor.
11Reduce the heat to medium low and pour in 1 cup of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.
12Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and some freshly ground black pepper.
13Add in your 3 cups of broccoli and 1 cup of shredded carrots, and allow to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often.
14Once the broccoli is softened, gradually mix in your shredded cheese and stir until completely melted.
15Allow to simmer for 5 to 10 more minutes, stirring often, then remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
6 strips bacon, cut into pieces
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 whole yellow onion, diced
3 cloves large cloves garlic, crushed
0.33 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth (or equivalent Better Than Bouillon mixture)
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 tsp kosher salt
0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
to taste freshly ground black pepper
3 cups broccoli florets (roughly chopped if preferred)
1 cup shredded carrots
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Equipment
large potknifecutting boardgarlic pressgraterwooden spoonmeasuring cupsmeasuring spoons
Tips
If you prefer smaller bits of broccoli, go ahead and give it a rough chop.
Scrape all the brown bits off the bottom for flavor.
Top with additional cheese or crispy bacon for serving.