Smooth Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe

Creamy soups with a rich, velvety cheddar cauliflower and roasted garlic soup blend comfort and elegance in every spoonful.

This luxurious recipe combines robust flavors that dance on your palate with surprising depth.

Roasting garlic softens its sharp edges, creating a mellow undertone that complements the sharp cheddar perfectly.

Cauliflower provides a smooth, neutral base that absorbs the surrounding seasonings effortlessly.

Warm, hearty, and packed with nutrients, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish.

Each serving offers a sophisticated twist on classic comfort food.

Prepare to savor a bowl that promises pure culinary satisfaction and warmth.

FAQs

• Why roast cauliflower and garlic before making the soup?

Roasting intensifies the flavors by caramelizing the natural sugars in cauliflower and garlic, creating a deeper, richer taste profile that transforms an ordinary soup into an extraordinary one.

• Can I use pre-cut cauliflower florets?

Yes, but fresh whole cauliflower gives you more control over size and allows you to cut florets to a uniform size, which helps ensure even roasting and cooking.

• What type of cheddar works best for this soup?

Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar provides the most robust cheese flavor. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy.

• How do I know when the cauliflower is perfectly roasted?

Look for golden brown edges and a tender texture. The florets should be soft when pierced with a fork but not mushy, with slight caramelization for maximum flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup

• Cauliflower Florets: Fresh, white cauliflower adds a nutty base and creamy texture to the soup.
• Garlic Head: Whole garlic transforms into sweet, mellow flavor when roasted.
• Olive Oil: Helps vegetables caramelize and develop deeper flavors.
• Salt: Enhances the natural taste of roasted vegetables.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complements the roasted vegetable profile.

• Chicken Stock: Creates a rich, smooth liquid foundation for the soup.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, velvety consistency and adds richness.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, aged cheddar melts beautifully and adds tangy depth to the soup.
• Chives (Optional): Fresh, mild onion-like herb for bright garnish and color contrast.

Tools for Blending a Smooth and Cozy Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

• Large baking sheet: Perfect for roasting cauliflower and garlic evenly.
• Sharp knife: Essential for cutting cauliflower florets and slicing garlic top.
• Aluminum foil: Needed to wrap garlic for caramelizing.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Measuring tablespoon: Helps measure olive oil precisely.

How to Make This Soup Creamy Without Cream Overload

• Prep the Veggies

Grab your cauliflower and slice it into bite-sized florets. Unwrap a whole garlic head, ready to transform into somethingal.

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect roasting environment for your vegetables.

• Season and Drizzle

Tumble cauliflower florets with a splash of olive oil, sprinkling sea salt and black pepper. Slice the garlic’s top and give it a gentle olive oil shower.

• Roast to Perfection

Spread cauliflower across a baking sheet, nestle the garlic bundle wrapped in foil alongside. Slide into the hot oven and let the happen for 25-30 minutes.

• Check for Doneness

Pull out the tray when cauliflower turns golden brown and tender, and garlic becomes soft and caramelized. The kitchen will smell incredible, with roasted vegetables promising a delicious adventure ahead.

Roasted Garlic Tips and Extra Add-Ins to Explore

• Keep cauliflower pieces roughly similar in size for even cooking and beautiful caramelization.
• Squeeze roasted garlic cloves directly into the soup for intense, mellow flavor that transforms the entire dish.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to make the soup vegan-friendly and creamy without dairy.
• For extra smoothness, blend the soup twice – first with an immersion blender, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve for silky-smooth results.
• Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or crispy bacon bits just before serving to add protein and create a more substantial meal.

Serve With Croutons, Cheese, or Toasted Bread

• Garlic Bread Companion: Slice a crusty baguette and toast it with garlic butter, creating the perfect dipping partner for this rich, creamy soup.
• Cheese Crunch Topping: Sprinkle crispy, golden breadcrumbs mixed with extra sharp cheddar cheese over each bowl for a delightful textural contrast.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Chop fresh chives or parsley and scatter them on top, adding a bright, green pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor to the velvety soup.
• Protein Boost Option: Add crispy bacon bits or shredded rotisserie chicken for those wanting extra protein and a hearty meal enhancement.

Store Leftovers for a Quick Warm-Up Meal

• Prepare double the soup recipe and store portions in airtight containers. Refrigerated batches stay fresh for 4-5 days, making quick lunch or dinner options throughout the week.
• Cool the soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 3 months, leaving slight space for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and gently reheat on stovetop to maintain creamy texture.
• Keep roasted garlic and cauliflower separately if meal prepping. Store in sealed containers in refrigerator for 3-4 days. Combining ingredients just before serving ensures maximum taste and prevents soggy texture.
• Use silicone muffin trays or ice cube trays to freeze small soup portions. Pop out individual servings for quick reheating, perfect for single-person meals or quick lunch additions at work.

Silky Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Velvety Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup showcases rich, comforting flavors from roasted cauliflower and caramelized garlic. Cheese lovers will savor this elegant, warm soup that brings rustic charm to winter dining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 head garlic
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 tbsps olive oil (divided)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Croutons
• Extra cheese
• Fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C), positioning rack in the center for even heat distribution.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Separate cauliflower into uniform florets, ensuring consistent size for balanced roasting and removing any tough stem sections.
3. Seasoning Process: Toss cauliflower with olive oil, then generously sprinkle salt and pepper, massaging to coat each floret thoroughly for maximum flavor infusion.
4. Garlic Transformation: Slice garlic head’s top to expose cloves, drizzle with olive oil, then encase completely in aluminum foil to create a steamy roasting environment.
5. Roasting Stage: Spread cauliflower in a single layer on baking sheet, positioning foil-wrapped garlic alongside; roast for 25-30 minutes until cauliflower develops golden edges and garlic becomes meltingly soft, rotating sheet midway for uniform caramelization.

Notes

• Optimize Roasting Temperature: Keep oven precisely at 400F to guarantee perfect caramelization without burning vegetables.
• Maximize Floret Uniformity: Cut cauliflower into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Strategic Seasoning Technique: Apply olive oil and salt generously before roasting to enhance natural vegetable flavors and create golden-brown exterior.
• Garlic Roasting Precision: Completely seal garlic in foil packet to steam and soften cloves, preventing moisture loss and developing rich, mellow flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 278
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg