Best Breads To Pair With Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli cheese soup is a hearty, creamy meal that is perfect for cold fall evenings. The powerful flavour of the cheese, usually cheddar, masks the bright, green taste of the broccoli. This soup can be served with a variety of breads, including sourdough, whole wheat, and potato bread. However, the most popular option is to serve it in a bread bowl, which is created by hollowing out a boule, or round loaf of bread.

Serving Broccoli Cheese Soup in a Bread Bowl

Broccoli cheese soup is a hearty, creamy, and comforting meal. While it is delicious on its own, serving it in a bread bowl can take it to the next level. Here is a guide to serving broccoli cheese soup in a bread bowl:

Choosing the Right Bread

The ideal bread for a bread bowl is a large, round loaf, also known as a boule. Sourdough or a French boule are excellent options, as their slightly tangy flavour and chewy texture complement the soup well. Alternatively, a dark rye bread, such as pumpernickel, pairs well with creamy soups like broccoli cheese soup.

Preparing the Bread Bowl

To prepare the bread bowl, use a serrated knife to cut off the top of the loaf. You can save this top portion as a lid for the bowl. Then, remove most of the interior bread, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell. Some people prefer to toast their bread bowl before filling it with soup, so consider placing it in the oven for a few minutes until the top is golden brown.

Filling the Bread Bowl

Once your bread bowl is ready, you can fill it with your favourite broccoli cheese soup recipe. Just be sure that the soup is thick enough to hold up in a bread bowl; thin soups will make the bread soggy. You can also get creative and try serving other types of soup in a bread bowl, such as Panera's famous broccoli cheese soup.

Serving Tips

When serving soup in a bread bowl, it is essential to time it right. Fill the bread bowls with soup just before serving to prevent the bread from getting too soggy. If desired, you can offer a variety of toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, freshly cracked pepper, ground nutmeg, or crumbled bacon, to let your guests customise their soup.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover soup, store it separately from the bread bowls. The soup can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. To reheat, use the microwave or stovetop, stirring often to prevent burning.

Kid-friendly Bread Options

When serving broccoli cheese soup to children, you can't go wrong with a mini bread bowl. Hollow out a small baguette or Kaiser roll, fill it with soup, and watch the kids come running to the dinner table.

If you're looking for something more fun and interactive, garlic bread hot dogs are a great option. Hollow out a small baguette, insert a hot dog sausage, top with butter, garlic, and cheese, and toast in the oven for a few minutes. This combination of garlic bread and hot dogs is sure to be a hit with kids.

Another idea is to get creative with different types of bread. Try using a soft pretzel roll or a small brioche bun as the base for your soup. These options will add a touch of sweetness and a playful element to the meal.

You can also experiment with different shapes and sizes. Cut the bread into cubes, strips, or fun shapes using cookie cutters. This will not only make the meal more enjoyable for kids but also encourage them to dip and soak up the soup.

Lastly, don't be afraid to involve the kids in the bread-making process. Let them help with measuring, mixing, and shaping the dough. They will not only have fun but also develop an appreciation for the food they helped create.

Low-carb Bread Options

If you're looking for low-carb bread options to go with your broccoli cheese soup, there are several choices available. Firstly, keto-style bread is a good option for those watching their carb intake. These breads typically have a higher fibre and nut flour content, which lowers the net carb count and helps avoid spiking insulin levels. While the taste may differ from regular bread, there are some well-reviewed options, such as BFree Brown Seed Sandwich Loaf.

If you're specifically looking for bread to dip into your soup, keto sourdough is a good option. Dark rye bread, like pumpernickel, also pairs well with creamy soups like broccoli cheese. You can also find low-carb pumpernickel bread from the Great Low Carb Bread Company.

For a more substantial option, you could try making a bread bowl for your soup. To do this, you'll need a large round loaf, such as a sourdough boule. Cut off the top and scoop out the centre to make room for the soup. You can toast the bread before adding the soup for some extra crunch.

Some specific low-carb bread brands and options to consider include:

• Kiss My Keto Bread (Golden Wheat, Dark Wheat, and Cinnamon Raisin varieties)
• ThinSlim Foods (Zero Net Carb Plain and Love-the-Taste Honey and Cinnamon varieties)
• Sola Low Carb Sweet Oat Bread Loaf
• Dave's Killer Bread 21 Powerseed Thin-Sliced
• Alvarado St. Bakery Thin-Sliced Sprouted Flax & Chia
• Ezekiel Bread Sprouted Whole Grain Bread and other low-carb options (Flax Sprouted Whole Grain, 7 Sprouted Grains, Sesame Sprouted Whole Grain)

Rye Bread

Broccoli cheese soup is a hearty and creamy meal, perfect for cold winter nights. When choosing a bread to serve with this soup, it is best to go for one that complements its rich flavour profile. A dark rye bread, such as pumpernickel, is an excellent choice as it pairs well with creamy soups. Rye bread is made with more rye flour than wheat, resulting in a dense and chewy texture with a higher fibre content than wheat bread. The darker the rye bread, the higher the ratio of rye to wheat.

When serving broccoli cheese soup with rye bread, you can keep it simple with a slice of bread on the side, or get creative by making a bread bowl. To make a bread bowl, use a large round loaf of rye bread and cut off the top. Remove most of the interior bread and ladle the soup into the hollowed-out loaf. You can even toast the bread before adding the soup for an extra crunch.

So, if you're looking for a hearty and satisfying pairing for your broccoli cheese soup, rye bread is a perfect choice. Its dense texture, rich flavour, and health benefits make it an ideal companion for this comforting soup.

Bread with Garlic

Overview

Ingredients

• Bread: Italian bread, French bread, or baguette
• Butter: Unsalted or salted, softened or melted
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
• Herbs: Parsley, rosemary, or oregano
• Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella, or cheddar (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F or 425°F.
• Prepare the garlic compound butter by mixing softened butter, finely chopped or grated garlic, chopped fresh herbs, and salt in a small bowl until well combined.
• Cut the bread in half lengthwise and spread the garlic butter generously on the cut sides of the bread.
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the garlic butter, if desired.
• Place the bread on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
• If adding cheese, sprinkle it on top of the bread during the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
• Serve the garlic bread warm and crispy, alongside your favorite soup or pasta dish.

Tips and Variations

• For a softer bread, wrap the bread in foil before baking.
• For an extra cheesy garlic bread, add thinly sliced mozzarella or cheddar cheese to the slits in the bread before baking.
• To make vegan garlic bread, use vegan butter and vegan cheese.
• To freeze garlic bread, prepare the bread with the garlic butter and then place it in a freezer-friendly bag. Freeze for up to 3 months and bake as directed when ready to eat.

Frequently asked questions