Description
Comforting roasted garlic cheddar cauliflower soup delivers a creamy, rich experience with bold Wisconsin cheddar and caramelized garlic depths. Hearty spoonfuls promise warmth and satisfaction for anyone craving a luxurious winter meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 whole garlic bulb
Aromatics and Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Finishing and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare for roasting by preheating the oven to 400F (200C), creating an ideal environment for transforming garlic and cauliflower into caramelized, flavor-packed ingredients.
- Prepare garlic bulb by slicing off the top, then drizzle with olive oil and encase completely in aluminum foil to protect and concentrate its essence during roasting.
- Coat cauliflower florets with olive oil, seasoning generously with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors and promote even caramelization.
- Arrange garlic and cauliflower on a baking sheet, roasting for 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden and vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- While vegetables roast, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, sautéing diced onions until they become translucent and develop a soft, sweet character.
- Transfer roasted cauliflower into the pot, then squeeze softened garlic cloves directly into the mixture, releasing their rich, mellow flavor.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to marry the ingredients’ flavors.
- Use an immersion blender to transform the mixture into a silky, smooth consistency, breaking down the vegetables into a creamy base.
- Incorporate heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese melts completely and creates a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve perfect balance, then serve hot with optional fresh chive garnish.
Notes
- Roast garlic and cauliflower ahead of time to intensify their natural sweetness and develop deeper, richer flavors.
- Use high-quality aged cheddar for a more robust and complex cheese profile that elevates the soup’s overall taste.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Make this soup gluten-free and low-carb by ensuring vegetable broth is certified gluten-free and skipping any potential wheat-based thickeners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 70mg