Cheesy Broccoli Soup: Best Main Course Pairings

Broccoli and cheese soup is a hearty, warming, and comforting meal. But what to serve with it? The soup is rich and creamy, so it's best to pair it with something lighter, like a salad or a sandwich. Salads with sweet fruits like apples, pears, or strawberries can complement the soup's cheesiness. You could also try a panini, like a grilled Caprese or turkey pesto. For a lighter option, homemade crackers are a great crunchy addition to the soup.

If you're looking for something more substantial, garlic bread or sourdough bread is a classic choice. You could even make a bread bowl for your soup! For a more creative option, try black bean fritters or zucchini fritters.

There are plenty of options to choose from, so get creative and enjoy your broccoli and cheese soup!

Salads

Arugula Salad

Arugula, almonds, dried cranberries, and parmesan cheese are combined to create this simple yet tasty salad. A dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper adds a tangy and sweet touch to the salad. This salad can be prepared in about 15 minutes or less, making it a quick and easy side dish.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is a delightful mix of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, topped with a poppy seed dressing. It adds a sweet and tangy flavour to your meal, while also providing a range of nutrients. This colourful and fresh salad is a great way to balance the creaminess of the soup.

Avocado and Orange Salad

This salad is a refreshing and tasty combination of avocado and orange slices, requiring only five ingredients. It is a quick and easy option to prepare while your soup is simmering on the stove. The simplicity of this salad lets the flavours of the soup shine through.

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

This salad is a fresh and colourful side dish that pairs well with a warm and comforting bowl of soup. It provides a nice light contrast to the creaminess of the broccoli cheese soup. Juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers make this salad a tasty and healthy option.

Apple Cranberry Salad

Combining crunchy Brussels sprouts with fluffy basmati rice, this salad makes for an easy and delicious side dish. The addition of apples and cranberries gives it a sweet and tangy flavour, making it a perfect pairing with the cheesy soup.

Kale Chickpea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This salad features roasted chickpeas and pistachios, creamy avocado slices, and kale massaged with a tangy lemon vinaigrette dressing. The massaging technique helps break down the tough fibres of the kale, making it more palatable and enjoyable. This salad adds a nutritious and flavourful touch to your meal.

Breads

Bread is a classic side to serve with soup, and there are many options to choose from when it comes to pairing bread with broccoli and cheese soup. Here are some ideas for breads to serve as a side or as a bowl for your soup:

• Sourdough bread: This bread is a great option for those who want a more complex flavour to complement the soup. You can make it yourself with a sourdough starter, or buy it from a bakery.
• Dutch oven sourdough: For those eager to experiment with making their own sourdough, this recipe guides you through the process of making a beautiful loaf to slice or scoop out for your soup.
• Rye bread: A dense, chewy bread with a rich, malted molasses flavour. Dark rye bread like pumpernickel pairs well with creamy soups.
• Garlic bread: Cheesy, garlicky bread is a perfect match for broccoli and cheese soup. You can make pull-apart garlic bread in an air fryer in just 5 minutes.
• Bread bowl: A fun way to serve soup is in a bread bowl, especially if you're serving a thick soup like broccoli and cheese. Cut the top off a large round loaf, hollow out the inside, and fill it with soup. You can toast the bread bowl before adding the soup for some extra crunch.
• Focaccia: This flat oven-baked Italian bread is made with olive oil, rosemary, sea salt, and Parmesan cheese. You can make it at home in under 30 minutes, starting with pizza dough.
• Cheesy garlic breadsticks: Soft breadsticks with a crispy bottom brushed with garlic-parmesan butter and topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
• Easy homemade breadsticks: Buttery, light, and addictive, these breadsticks can be made even better with the addition of garlic powder.
• 2-ingredient bread: This easy homemade bread or rolls are made with just two ingredients: Greek yoghurt and flour. No yeast required!
• Tortilla wraps: For something a little different, try rolling up your soup and bread into a wrap.
• Biscuits: Air fryer biscuits are a simple option, or you could try cheesy vegan almond flour biscuits, or cheesy jalapeño soda bread.

Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A classic grilled cheese sandwich is a perfect match for a cheesy soup. The melted cheese and toasted bread will add a crunchy texture to your meal. You can also add bacon bits to your sandwich for an extra flavour boost.

Grilled Caprese Panini

This sandwich is a fresh and bright combination of tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar. The flavours of this panini will perfectly complement your broccoli cheese soup and elevate your lunch to the next level.

Smoked Tofu Ciabatta Sandwich

This hearty sandwich combines the flavours of smoked tofu, peppery arugula, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado. The smokiness of the tofu and the freshness of the vegetables make it a delicious and satisfying option to pair with your soup.

Grilled Cheese Florentine

If you're looking for a more gourmet option, try this grilled cheese Florentine sandwich. It consists of a spinach salad placed between two slices of whole wheat bread and toasted in the oven until golden brown. It's a unique and tasty sandwich that will pair well with the soup.

Vegan Grilled Cheese

For a plant-based option, you can try this vegan grilled cheese sandwich. It uses vegan butter, vegan mayo, nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour, and two types of vegan cheese. The Herbes de Provence adds a unique flavour to this delicious sandwich.

These sandwich options will surely enhance your broccoli and cheese soup experience. You can also get creative and experiment with your favourite ingredients to make your own unique sandwich combinations.

Vegetables

Oven-Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a healthy and tasty addition to any meal. You can include a colourful mix of vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, onions, and asparagus. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and adds a nice crispy texture.

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be a great meat alternative. Grilled cauliflower steaks is a unique way to prepare this vegetable, adding a smoky flavour and a nice char. This dish will add a hearty and healthy element to your meal.

Mediterranean Couscous and Chickpeas

This dish is a great lighter option to pair with the soup. Juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers make this couscous salad tasty and refreshing. It's a good way to get your daily dose of vegetables while still enjoying your favourite soup.

Crispy Green Bean Fries

Green beans coated in a crispy batter and fried to perfection are a fun and unique side dish. They add a crunchy texture and a playful element to your meal. This side is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic side dish, and when mashed, they become a creamy and comforting addition to your meal. Roasting the garlic adds a sweet and nutty flavour to the potatoes. This dish is a great way to balance out the richness of the soup.

Grilled Butternut Squash with Miso Butter

Butternut squash is a tasty and nutritious vegetable that pairs well with the soup. Grilled squash adds a smoky flavour, and the miso butter takes it to the next level. This side dish is a delightful and unexpected combination that your guests will surely enjoy.

Meat

When it comes to serving a main dish with broccoli and cheese soup, meat is a great option to consider. Here are some ideas for meat dishes that would pair well with this soup:

Charcuterie boards are a delicious and easy way to serve a variety of meats and snacks. You can include an assortment of cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, or sopressata. Accompany these with cheeses, crackers, olives, pickles, and dips to create a well-rounded and satisfying dish.

Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are a classic comfort food that can be easily prepared in an air fryer. They make a great main dish alongside the soup, especially when served with a tangy dip or sauce.

Roast Chicken

For a heartier option, consider a roast chicken. The juicy, succulent meat pairs well with the creamy soup. You can season the chicken with herbs and spices to add extra flavour.

Grilled Chicken Strips

If you're looking for a lighter option, grilled chicken strips are a great choice. You can add them to a salad or sandwich, or serve them as a standalone dish with a dipping sauce.

Bacon

Bacon is a versatile meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. You can include it in a BLT salad, crumble it over a potato salad, or wrap it around cream cheese jalapeño poppers as an appetiser.

Turkey Panini

For a toasty, satisfying main dish, try a turkey panini. This sandwich features melted cheese and basil pesto, creating a flavourful combination that will enhance your dining experience.

These meat options provide a range of flavours and textures that will complement the broccoli and cheese soup, making your meal even more enjoyable.

Frequently asked questions