Description
Comfort meets flavor in this roasted garlic cheddar cauliflower soup, blending creamy textures with rich, savory notes. Warm cheese and caramelized garlic create a soul-satisfying experience that warms palates and nourishes deeply.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Vegetables:
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 4–5 cups)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 head garlic
Liquid Base:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable broth (or chicken broth for added richness)
Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil, divided
- 1 heaping cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnishes:
- Sliced green onions
- Extra cheddar
- Croutons
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 400F (200C). Remove the top of the garlic bulb, drizzle with olive oil, and enclose in foil. Roast for 30-35 minutes until golden and tender, which intensifies the garlic’s natural sweetness and softens its sharp edge.
- Chop cauliflower into uniform florets. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature. Sauté chopped onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add cauliflower and allow to caramelize slightly, developing rich flavor profiles.
- Extract roasted garlic cloves from their papery skin and incorporate into the pot with cauliflower and onions. Pour vegetable or chicken broth into the mixture, bringing to a robust boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes until cauliflower becomes fork-tender.
- Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully transfer to a standard blender in manageable batches. Puree until completely smooth, adjusting consistency with additional broth if necessary.
- Introduce shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream, stirring continuously until cheese melts completely. Season with salt and pepper, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Adjust cream quantity for desired richness.
- Transfer soup into serving bowls. Optional: garnish with fresh herbs for visual appeal and additional flavor complexity. Accompany with crusty artisan bread or a crisp side salad to complete the dining experience.
Notes
- Roast garlic low and slow to enhance its sweet, mellow flavor without burning, creating a rich base for the soup.
- Use freshly grated cheddar for superior melting and deeper cheese flavor, avoiding pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.
- Experiment with alternative dairy options like coconut cream or cashew milk for a dairy-free version that maintains creamy texture.
- Control soup consistency by adjusting broth amount – less broth creates a thicker soup, more broth makes it lighter and more pourable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg