There a number of ways to make a creamy soup without using heavy cream . . .
or in the case of this cream of broccoli soup recipe, no cream at all!
Cream of Broccoli Soup with Bacon Bits
You could replace the cream with low fat sour cream like we did with this Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup . . .
Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup
Or you could use fat free evaporated milk like we did in this creamy cauliflower soup recipe.
Cauliflower, Leek and Cheddar Cheese Soup
You might even use potatoes to get that creamy texture like we did in this easy cream of broccoli soup.
Cream of Broccoli Soup
The key to making this a broccoli soup worth remembering is a fresh herb topping with just enough bacon bits to give the soup a smoky flavor without adding too many extra calories.
Fresh Herbs and Bacon Bits
See? It is completely possible to make creamy soup without all the extra calories and fat in heavy cream. Simply add a few potatoes to the mix.
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Happy, healthy cooking!
Ingredients
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cups russet potatoes, cubed
- 6 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup green onion, white part sliced
- 2 large bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup green onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup parsley, minced
- 4 tablespoons bacon bits, crumbled
Instructions
- Add vegetable stock, potatoes, broccoli, green onion tops, garlic, bay leaves and sage to a large pot over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium and gently simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
- Remove bay leaves and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine parsley, green onion ends in a bowl.
- Top soup with a sprinkle of parsley and onion and a tablespoon of bacon bits.
Notes
Calories: 124 Weight Watchers PointsPlus 3 Total Fat: 1.92g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 957mg Total Carbs: 21.91g Dietary Fiber: 4.13g Sugars: 4.29g Protein: 5.92g
If you’re looking for more healthy and low calorie Weight Watchers recipes, check out my Recipe page. You’ll find hundreds of recipes that include nutrition information and Weight Watchers points.
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Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to  me that I provide you with accurate information.
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
These all sound so amazing. Thanks for the recipes! I recently learned that my husband will eat soup if it’s more like a chowder (I never knew this, in the almost 7years we’ve been together!) so I’ll definitely try some of these.
You’ll have to let me know how he likes them. My husband’s favorite was the broccoli soup, but then add bacon to anything and he’ll eat it. Have a wonderful weekend.
Very creamy and soothing! Potatoes are a magic ingredient in soups.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Pumpkin Spelt Doughnuts
They really are. And I love the additional nutrients they add to the soup too.
Good soup. I really like the combo of bacon and broccoli. Of course I like bacon with anything! My favorite way to make a “creamy” soup without the cream is either use potato like you did, or use some pureed cooked rice.
kitchenriffs recently posted…Boeuf Bourguignon
That’s a good idea. I wonder if brown rice would work the same?
I love soup and was so glad to find this post with such a variety. The Chipotle sweet potato is calling me. Pinning it for later.. thanks
Hi Judee! Please let me know if you make it and how it turns out for you. I love to hear how other cooks adjust my recipes.
Kristi, I am craving soup just now as the weather has turned chilly. Love the brocolli and bacon, yum! Also love that chipotle sweet potato soup – what a beautiful autumnal colour.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen recently posted…Roasted Vegetable Tatin – lives up to its puff pastry potential…
Hi Hester! My husband’s favorite was the broccoli with bacon, but I’m partial to the chipotle sweet potato. I was surprised at how much we both liked the cauliflower. We rarely eat cauliflower, but this was a terrific use for it. Have a wonderful week!
Kristin, your Cream of Broccoli Soup looks wonderful – I love the addition of bacon bits. Smoky bacon really goes wonderfully with broccoli and using russet potatoes for thickeners is a great way to get the creamy texture for a cream style soup. Wonderful recipe and great presentation!
Andrea recently posted…A Visit to a Country Fair ("Tag der offenen Höfe")
Hi Andrea! I knew I could get my husband to eat broccoli soup if there were bacon bits on top! Have a wonderful week.
great links for healthy and flavorful soups
rebecca recently posted…Provencal Style Vegetable Soup
Wow, this looks delicious. It definitely looks very hearty without tons of calories. Love that!
ASHLEA recently posted…bun(s) in the oven.
Hi Ashlea! Thanks for visiting! Congratulations on the new baby!
All great suggestions and the recipe you have here is comforting. plain yogurt can also be used instead of cream.
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Apple Picking
Thank you Evelyne! Another terrific suggestion!
I agree there are many ways to make a soup creamy without the calories! They all look perfect!
Katerina recently posted…Pumpkin and Zucchini Kecap Manis Stir-fry
Thank you Katerina! Have a wonderful weekend.
Bookmarked this
I love creamy broccoli soups but tend to avoid them due to health reasons, and the one time I made one was…lol less than fantastic. I’ll be trying this soon!
Food Jaunts recently posted…Curried Honey Mustard Turkey and Potatoes
You’ll have to let me know if you like it. If you like a really creamy soup, you could add more potatoes. We’re watching our weight, so I kept the potatoes to a minimum. Have a good weekend.
I often use lentils to thicken up soups. Just break it down and mix it up. So tasty without the added fat
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted…Apples & Cardamom Tea Cakes
Great idea and I love the additional fiber too!
Amen, sister! I love creamy soups but don’t allow cream into this house. Lots of other ways… Your soups look amazing. I think I may have to make a big pot of soup this weekend now.
Anita at Hungry Couple recently posted…Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake
I totally agree. Besides I love the added nutrition potatoes give to the soup. Have a terrific weekend!