Creamy Cheesy One Pot Cauliflower Soup with Croutons

Cheese and Cauliflower are a match made in heaven, and this Cheesy Cauliflower Soup is set to become one of your new favourites. Cosy and creamy, topped with crispy parmesan croutons, fresh parsley and olive oil, it's just the thing you need to warm up at the end of a cold day.

One of the best things about the cold days of Autumn is that it's officially soup season! A hot bowl of soup can't be beaten for comfort, and homemade soup is the best way to fill your home with beautiful and delicious smells.

This is a hearty soup yet it's still low carb per serve, even lower carb if you skip the croutons.

This is one of my favourite soup recipes, but I'd also recommend you try my Chicken and Corn Soup or my Roast Pumpkin Soup with Sage if you're looking for another winter warmer.

Ingredients Needed to make this Cheesy Cauliflower Soup recipe

To make this delicious and wholesome soup you'll need:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 shallot
• 2 carrots
• 1 cauliflower
• 50 g butter salted
• 3 tbsp flour
• 4 cups chicken stock (or use vegetable stock)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ½ bunch parsley
• ½ cup thickened pouring cream (heavy cream) or sour cream
• 125 g cheddar and mozzarella pre-shredded cheese mix, or grate sharp cheddar cheese.
• 30 g parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt and pepper

Substitutions and add-ins

Gluten-free - use gluten-free bread, or swap the bread for bacon pieces. Use gluten-free flour.

Dairy-free - use a dairy-free shredded parmesan and dairy-free cooking cream, as well as dairy-free butter like Nuttelex, or use olive oil.

Cheese - I've suggested cheddar and mozzarella, to get that mix of sharp and oozy cheese, but you can also use grated cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or White cheddar cheese.

You can also swap cauliflower out for broccoli to make it a Broccoli cheese soup or potato.

Option to top with Green onions.

How to make Cauliflower Cheese Soup

1. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, or you can even make this in a crock pot.
2. Add the minced garlic, diced shallot, and finely diced carrots. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they soften.
3. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously until the mixture turns a golden brown.
4. Gradually pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) while whisking. Let the mixture thicken as you whisk.
5. Add in the cauliflower florets, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender.
6. While the soup simmers, preheat your oven's grill. Line a baking tray (baking sheet) with parchment paper.
7. Place the bread pieces on the tray and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the bread.
8. Grill the bread under medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until the croutons turn golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
9. Blend the soup until smooth using a regular blender or immersion blender. If using a regular blender, make sure to blend hot soup in batches.
10. Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream and grated cheese until the cheese melts and the soup becomes creamy.
11. Serve the soup in bowls, topped with a drizzle of olive oil, a handful of cheesy croutons, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and additional salt and black pepper to taste.

Indulge in the rich creaminess of this cauliflower soup, complemented by the delightful crunch of cheesy croutons. It's a heartwarming treat that's easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether you're using a large saucepan, pot, or crock pot, this recipe is your ticket to a bowlful of comfort.

Kid-Friendly Variations

• For kids skip the cracked black pepper and the parsley.

Storage and leftovers

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge to heat up for lunch the next day, or in the freezer for a few weeks.

Equipment

You will need a large pot or casserole dish, a stovetop, an oven grill, a baking tray, a blender or stick blender.

More Soup Recipes you'll love

Soup, glorious soup. Here are some more creamy soups the whole family will love.

My Easy Tomato Soup with Pasta Recipe - aka Healthy Heinz Spaghetti is a healthier, homemade take on the classic Heinz Spaghetti - Spaghetti in tomato and sweet potato soup. It's just as comforting as the original!

This Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup is a rich and decadent soup with tortellini topped with crispy prosciutto - you have to try it.

Recipe