Broccoli Scrap and Pea Soup with White Cheddar Croutons

Sam Muller

PUBLISHED May 4, 2026

A fellow soup-loving friend and I once discussed our favorites, and I joked that mine was “broccoli cheddar.” Now, I really mean it. This bright green soup is also one of the most efficient ways to clear out aging ingredients. Leftover stalks make for a nutty, slightly caramelized, and creamy base. And those little bits and crumbs of broccoli florets that often get left behind? Toss them in oil and salt and roast them until they’re charred for a garnish that adds texture and amplifies the flavors of the soup. If you’ve got in-season peas, wonderful, but if not, thaw frozen ones you might have forgotten about. You’ll be glad you have some stale bread on hand, too—once tossed with olive oil and salt and covered with shredded sharp white cheddar under the broiler, you’ll have everything you need for a delicious and warming meal.

 

The following may contain affiliate links for which we earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting us in this way!
Print

Broccoli Scrap and Pea Soup with White Cheddar Croutons

Prevent your screen from going dark


Makes
3 to 4 servings, plus leftovers 1x


Log in, or become a member today.

Join in: enjoy 7 days free, plus 40% off your first year with access to 1,000+ highly vetted recipes from the How To Cook Everything series and beyond, essays from Mark, and original pieces from our contributors.

GetBetterFasterHealthierSmarterTastier

in the Kitchen

Through our (more than a thousand, and growing) highly vetted recipes from the How to Cook Everything series, original food essays and reporting, thoughtful podcast conversations and introductions to new and responsible food products, we aim to showcase what’s possible, from farm to fork, and power a growing movement that encourages people to think about food not as a commodity, but as central to our health and happiness.

We hope you join us on this journey. We’d love to have you as a part of the Bittman community. As a member, you'll have access to:

  • New recipes every week
  • 1000s of recipes from How to Cook Everything and beyond
  • First access to in-person events with Mark and Kate
  • Exclusive discounts from our favorite brands
  • Q&As with Mark and the team

 

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Join over 105,000 passionate individuals who receive our weekly emails. It’s 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime. Plus, we’ll email you a sampling of what premium members receive on a weekly basis.