Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Sauté aromatics
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté the onion for 4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring so it becomes fragrant.
Cook chicken (optional) and thicken
- If using diced chicken breast, add it to the pot and cook for 4 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture looks smooth and slightly golden.
Simmer into creamy soup
- Gradually add the chicken broth and cream, stirring until smooth, then mix in the garlic powder and Dijon mustard.
- Bring the soup to a simmer, then add the broken lasagna noodles and stir to submerge them.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the noodles are almost tender, then add the broccoli florets.
- Cook for 3-4 more minutes until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly.
Finish and serve
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheddar until fully melted and glossy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve topped with the remaining cheddar.
Notes
Pro tip: for the creamiest texture, add the cheddar off the heat so it melts smoothly without separating. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; rewarm gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth or cream if it thickens. Freezing: no—cream and pasta can break down after thawing. Dietary swap: use a lactose-free cream or a non-dairy cooking cream and a meltable lactose-free cheddar-style cheese to keep it dairy-forward while reducing lactose.
