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Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

creamy cheddar cauliflower soup - featured image

A comforting and creamy soup featuring roasted garlic, sharp cheddar, and cauliflower, perfect for cozy dinners and easy to prepare in about 35 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, chopped into florets (about 4 cups)
  • 1 whole bulb of garlic, roasted until soft and caramelized
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cups (720 ml) vegetable or chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk or half-and-half (use dairy-free milk for vegan option)
  • 2 cups (200 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh chives or parsley, crusty bread or croutons

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the garlic bulb, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for about 30 minutes until soft.
  2. Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet and roast alongside the garlic for 20-25 minutes until golden and tender.
  3. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced onion and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
  4. Squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and add them to the pot along with the roasted cauliflower. Stir gently to combine with onions.
  5. Pour in broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes to marry flavors and soften cauliflower further.
  6. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until creamy and silky. If using a countertop blender, blend in batches carefully.
  7. Stir in milk or half-and-half and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook on low heat, stirring until cheese melts completely. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Avoid boiling after adding dairy.
  8. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped chives or parsley if desired. Serve warm with crusty bread or croutons.

Notes

Roasting garlic separately softens its flavor and adds sweetness. Blend soup until smooth but avoid over-blending to prevent watery texture. Melt cheese on low heat to avoid graininess. Add nutmeg for warmth but use sparingly. If soup is too thick, add broth or milk to loosen consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: cauliflower soup, cheddar soup, creamy soup, roasted garlic, easy soup recipe, comfort food, gluten-free soup, vegetarian soup