Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (2024)

  • Dinners
  • Dinners By Types
  • Soups
  • Creamy Soups

This smooth, creamy cauliflower soup with sharp cheddar cheese is absolutely what you want on a chilly day. It's ready in under an hour. Serve with some crusty bread and a side salad!

By

Elise Bauer

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated September 29, 2023

21 Ratings

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (2)

16 Creamy Soup Recipes for Soup SeasonFEATURED IN:

Every fall, when the days get shorter and the nights colder, at some point I reluctantly give up wearing shorts and flips flops. Did you know there are only two real seasons here in Sacramento? Flip flop and shorts season, and jeans and socks season.

It's when your feet tell you, "Hey, put on some socks!" that you know autumn has truly arrived. That's when the soup pot comes out and you look forward to filling it with something warm and comforting.

It's still flip-flop season here, at least during the day, but the chilly weather will be coming soon (if not already where you are). So we're cooking up new soup recipes.

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (3)

A Light and Creamy Soup

We made this cauliflower cheddar soup the other day, and wow! Okay, now I don't feel so bad about saying goodbye to summer. It's smooth and creamy without any cream. It's packed with cauliflower and uses just enough cheddar cheese to give it flavor, but not so much that you think you've swallowed a brick.

A teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce swirled in at the end helps intensify the cheese flavor.

How a Clever Cook Thickens Soup (or Stew) and Makes It CreamyREAD MORE:

Keep Your Cores

When you cut your cauliflower into pieces, don't discard the core! The core is just as delicious as the florets themselves and since we're pureeing this soup, no one will even know they're there.

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (4)

What to Serve With This Soup

This soup begs to be served with some crusty bread for dipping. Some garlic bread or garlic knots would also work well.

If you'd like to turn this soup into more of a meal, add a salad on the side. Try this Radicchio Salad with Chickpeas, Olives, and Parmesan or this simple Kale Caesar Salad.

How to Store and Freeze This Soup

Leftovers will keep refrigerated for up to five days, or can be frozen for up to three months.

To freeze, let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer containers or bags and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or reheat directly from the freezer over low heat on the stovetop. If the soup looks at all separated when you warm it up, just blend it in the blender again.

More Easy, Comforting Soup Recipes

  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Carrot Ginger Soup
  • Baked Potato Soup
  • Quick and Easy Hamburger Soup
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Soup

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (5)

Cauliflower Cheddar Soup

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time60 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 cups sliced onion

  • 1 1/2 cups sliced celery (about 2 to 3 ribs)

  • 1/2 cup sliced carrot (1 small carrot)

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic

  • 2 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced, about 1 1/2 to 2 cups

  • 6 cups chicken stock

  • 6 cups roughly chopped cauliflower (see How to Cut and Core Cauliflower)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Method

  1. Sauté the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic:

    Heat butter in a large 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven or thick bottomed pot on medium high heat. Add the onions, celery, and carrots.

    Cook for 5 to 8 minutes until the onions are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook a minute more.

    Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (6)

    Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (7)

  2. Add the potatoes, stock, cauliflower, bay leaves, thyme, salt and black pepper:

    Heat on high and bring the stock to a simmer. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Partially cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are completely tender.

    Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (8)

    Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (9)

  3. Purée until smooth:

    Remove from heat and remove the bay leaves. Either using an immersion blender or a standing blender, purée the soup mixture until completely smooth.

    Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (10)

    Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (11)

  4. Add the cheddar cheese and Worcestershire:

    Slowly add the grated cheddar cheese, continuing to purée the soup as you add the cheese, until completely blended. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.

    Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed.

  • Creamy Soups
  • Vegetables
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
289Calories
13g Fat
31g Carbs
14g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories289
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g16%
Saturated Fat 7g33%
Cholesterol 34mg11%
Sodium 619mg27%
Total Carbohydrate 31g11%
Dietary Fiber 5g16%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 43mg215%
Calcium 205mg16%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 829mg18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower soup tasteless? ›

Bland cauliflower soup is a result of a lack of seasoning. Here's how to ensure every bowl is packed with flavor. Season twice with salt and pepper: You'll start by seasoning the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper before roasting.

Why do you avoid simmering your soup after adding the cheese? ›

Cheese can curdle when added to soup due to the high temperatures and acidity in the soup. The proteins in cheese are sensitive to heat and acid, causing them to separate and form curds.

What is the name of the French soup made from cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower cream soup (Dubarry) | Recipe | Cream soup recipes, French food, Homemade soup recipe.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

How do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What kind of cheese melts best in soup? ›

Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

How does Gordon Ramsay make cauliflower soup? ›

Directions
  1. Place the cauliflower florets, potato, and onion in a saucepan with the butter and oil. ...
  2. Add the stock and bring to a boil, then pour in the milk and return gently to a boil. ...
  3. Pour in half the cream, then puree in a food processor or blender, or blend in the pan with an immersion blender.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

What is broccoli and cauliflower together called? ›

Romanesco, also known as broccoflower or Roman cauliflower, is a chartreuse, unique-looking vegetable prized for its appearance and mild flavor. It is sometimes assumed to be a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower but is botanically different (although related).

How do you thicken cauliflower soup? ›

Can you make this cauliflower soup thicker? We thicken cauliflower soup by cooking flour and butter together to make a roux, but the soup will have a brothy consistency. To create a thicker texture, puree 2 cups of soup. Then add the puree back to the pot and stir until well combined.

What is the mother soup? ›

Initially, Pickowicz posted an Instagram story inquiring if any of her followers also had a "mother soup," which she noted as something that "she had been continuously cooking and feeding with new ingredients." Her original "soup mother" IG story defines a soup mother process as such: "I eat all my soup except for 10% ...

Why is it called Creme du Barry? ›

Why is it Called Crème Dubarry? Known as Crème Dubarry or Velouté du Barry, Dubarry Cauliflower Cream Soup is a French classic. It was created for Madame du Barry, King Louis XV's last and favourite mistress, who adored cauliflower.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

How can I add flavor to tasteless soup? ›

Spicing Up My Bland Vegetable Soup
  1. Onions.
  2. Carrots.
  3. Celery.
  4. Cabbage.
  5. Potatoes.
  6. Chicken.
  7. Can of diced tomatoes.
  8. Chicken broth.
Nov 11, 2021

Why does my soup have no flavor? ›

Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper. Too little salt means your soup's flavours' will remain hidden. When you know your soup is salty enough, move on to other seasonings like herbs and spices.

What to add to flavorless vegetable soup? ›

Fresh ginger and garlic. Soy sauce or hoisin (common in Vietnamese soups) The juice of half a fresh lemon or full lime. Fresh, sliced hot peppers, fresh sliced green onion, bean sprouts.

References

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