Sausage and Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I just love Fall food. It is the time for soups and casseroles and hearty dishes, and that just makes me smile. I love making soups, but Parker is a guy and wants a decent amount of protein with every meal, so I can't usually make soups as a stand alone dinner. I was so intrigued when I found this recipe because it is the classic broccoli cheese soup that I love so much with sausage thrown in. Happy wife, happy husband. I altered it slightly from the original, and we both loved it!

Ingredients (serves 4):

1 lb Italian ground sausage

1/2 onion, chopped (a whole onion if you're an onion person)

1 Tbsp flour

3 cups 2% milk

4 cups chopped broccoli (fresh or frozen that has been thawed)

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, brown your sausage and drain excess fat. Add your onion and a pinch of salt and pepper and saute about 3-4 minutes. 

2. Sprinkle in your flour and immediately pour in your milk and whisk about a minute. 

3. Reduce heat to low and stir in your chopped broccoli. Add a pinch more of salt and pepper and continue to simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. 

4. Stir in your shredded cheese and continue stirring until all is fully combined and your cheese is fully melted.

Enjoy!