Silky Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Fragrant Roasted Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Chilly evenings call for a comforting bowl of roasted garlic cheddar cauliflower soup that warms you from the inside out.

This creamy blend combines robust flavors with velvety texture in every spoonful.

Roasting the garlic brings a deep, caramelized richness that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dish.

Sharp cheddar cheese adds a tangy punch that complements the mild cauliflower perfectly.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to create a symphony of savory notes that dance across your palate.

The soup delivers a luxurious experience without overwhelming complexity.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite for cozy nights and hearty meal cravings.

Dive into a bowl of pure comfort that promises to delight your senses and satisfy your hunger.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Total Time:

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Roasted Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup Ingredients

For Roasting and Base:
  • Cauliflower: Provides creamy texture and subtle nutty flavor, choose fresh white florets without brown spots or soft areas.
  • Garlic: Brings deep, mellow roasted sweetness, select firm heads with tight, unbroken skin for best flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Helps vegetables caramelize and adds rich undertones, choose extra virgin for maximum flavor.
For Soup Building:
  • Onion: Creates foundational flavor profile, pick firm yellow or white onions without soft spots.
  • Chicken Broth: Builds liquid base and enhances overall soup depth, low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control.
For Finishing and Flavor:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Delivers sharp, creamy richness, select sharp or extra-sharp for more intense cheese flavor.
  • Green Onions: Provides fresh, mild onion garnish with bright color contrast.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all ingredients' natural flavors.

Soup-Making Tool for Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower

  • Large Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting cauliflower and garlic evenly.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
  • Aluminum Foil: Needed to wrap and roast the garlic head.
  • Large Pot: Perfect for sautéing onions and simmering the final soup.
  • Blender: Crucial for creating a smooth, creamy soup texture.
  • Chef's Knife: Helps chop cauliflower, onions, and green onions with precision.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
  • Cheese Grater: Helps shred fresh cheddar cheese for melting into the soup.

Steps to Roast, Blend, and Simmer This Soup

  • Oven Preparation

Set oven to hot temperature and prepare baking surface with protective paper.

  • Cauliflower Transformation

Scatter florets across pan, drizzle with golden liquid, sprinkle with flavor enhancers, ensuring even coating.

  • Garlic Awakening

Carefully separate garlic’s delicate layers, exposing inner cloves by trimming top, wrap tenderly in metallic blanket with olive essence.

  • Roasting Magic

Allow cauliflower and garlic to dance in heated space, turning midway for perfect golden caramelization.

  • Onion Softening

Warm pan, introduce diced onion, coaxing translucent transformation through gentle heat.

  • Smooth Fusion

Transfer roasted treasures and sautéed companions into blending vessel, creating silky liquid landscape with broth and seasonings.

  • Cheese Embrace

Return mixture to warming zone, welcome shredded cheddar until melted completely, allowing flavors to harmonize.

  • Presentation

Crown soup with emerald green onion slivers and additional cheese sprinkles, accompany with crusty bread for delightful dipping experience.

Tips to Make Garlic Cheddar Soup Even Richer

  • Wrap whole garlic heads completely in foil to prevent burning and ensure even, creamy caramelization. The enclosed steam helps soften cloves perfectly.
  • Experiment with different cheddar strengths – sharp cheddar adds intense flavor, while mild provides subtle creaminess. Blend multiple cheese types for complex taste profiles.
  • Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth for thinner soup or reducing liquid for thicker texture. Use immersion blender for ultra-smooth results without transferring between containers.
  • Refrigerate soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Gently reheat on stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent cheese separation. Consider freezing without cheese, then add fresh cheese when reheating.
  • Enhance nutritional value by stirring in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or white beans. These additions create hearty meal variations while maintaining the soup's delicate roasted garlic essence.

Serving Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Toppings

  • Cozy Bread Companions: Pair this creamy soup with rustic sourdough, warm garlic bread, or crispy ciabatta slices for perfect dipping and texture contrast.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra sharp cheddar, crumbled blue cheese, or grated parmesan on top to enhance the rich, tangy flavor profile of the soup.
  • Hearty Soup Enhancers: Add crispy bacon bits, toasted pumpkin seeds, or fresh chopped chives as garnish to introduce delightful crunch and additional layers of taste.
  • Winter Wellness Bowl: Serve in a deep ceramic mug alongside a small green salad with light vinaigrette for a balanced, nourishing meal that warms from the inside out.

Soup Storage & Freezing Instructions That Work

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your delicious soup fresh and tasty in airtight glass containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Portion the soup into individual freezer-safe containers. It will maintain its creamy texture for 2-3 months when properly sealed. Perfect for quick meal prep!
  • Reheating Magic: Warm the soup slowly on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of extra broth if needed to restore the original smooth consistency. Microwave works in a pinch, but stovetop prevents potential separation.
  • Ingredient Separation Tip: Store cheese separately if planning to freeze. Add fresh cheese when reheating to maintain the best texture and prevent grainy consistency. Keeps the soup tasting like it was just made!
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Silky Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Silky Garlic Cheddar Cauliflower Soup


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4.5 from 31 reviews

  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Roasted garlic cheddar cauliflower soup blends creamy Wisconsin cheddar with perfectly caramelized cauliflower for a luxurious winter comfort dish. Sharp cheese and roasted garlic create a rich, velvety experience you’ll crave on chilly evenings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head cauliflower (about 45 cups)
  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 heaping cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 tbsps olive oil, divided
  • 0.5 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly ground salt
  • Sliced green onion
  • Extra cheddar cheese
  • Croutons or toasted sourdough bread (or bread of choice)

Instructions

  1. Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coating.
  2. Garlic Preparation: Trim the top of the garlic head, exposing cloves. Wrap in aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil, placing alongside cauliflower on the baking sheet.
  3. Vegetable Roasting: Roast cauliflower and garlic for 30-35 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden-brown coloration and develop deep, rich flavors.
  4. Onion Sautéing: In a pot, sauté diced onions in olive oil until translucent and aromatic.
  5. Blending Process: Transfer roasted cauliflower, softened garlic cloves, sautéed onions, broth, salt, and pepper to a blender. Puree until achieving a smooth, creamy texture.
  6. Cheese Integration: Return blended mixture to the pot, bringing to a gentle simmer. Gradually incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
  7. Flavor Melding: Simmer the soup for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  8. Serving: Ladle soup into warm bowls, garnish with sliced green onions and an extra sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Serve alongside crusty sourdough bread for a complete, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Roast Vegetables Strategically: Rotate cauliflower and garlic midway through roasting to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning, developing deeper flavor profiles.
  • Blend for Silky Texture: Use a high-powered blender and blend thoroughly to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without lumps or vegetable chunks.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheddar cheese gradually and stir continuously to prevent clumping and create a uniformly creamy soup base.
  • Temperature Control Matters: Simmer soup gently after adding cheese to maintain a velvety texture and prevent separation or grainy consistency.
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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