Description
Comforting creamy spinach artichoke soup delivers a luxurious blend of Mediterranean flavors with silky texture. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this soup a delightful choice for home cooks seeking nourishing warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 1 – 9 oz (255 g) frozen chopped spinach
- 1 – 14 oz (397 g) artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 – 1 ½ cups (240–360 ml) heavy cream
- 1 – 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (or ¾ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 3 tbsps flour (optional for gluten-free or keto-friendly soup)
Instructions
- Butter Infusion: Melt butter in a large pot until golden, creating a rich aromatic base for the soup.
- Onion Transformation: Sauté onions until translucent and soft, releasing their sweet essence into the buttery foundation.
- Garlic Awakening: Add minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning and infuse the base with intense flavor.
- Spinach and Artichoke Integration: Introduce frozen spinach and artichoke hearts, breaking apart clusters and allowing them to warm thoroughly while blending their earthy characteristics.
- Thickening Technique: Dust the mixture with flour, whisking carefully to create a smooth roux without lumps, then pour in chicken broth and let simmer to develop depth.
- Creamy Transformation: Reduce heat and gently fold in heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth, velvety consistency without curdling.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle parmesan cheese, stirring until completely dissolved, creating a luxurious and silky soup with complex flavor layers.
- Finishing Touch: Adjust seasonings to taste, garnish with additional parmesan shavings, and serve hot for a comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Butter Browning Technique: Gently melt butter until it reaches a golden shimmer, which develops a rich, nutty base flavor for the soup’s foundation.
- Onion Softening Secrets: Cook onions slowly for exactly 5 minutes to release natural sweetness without burning, creating a delicate aromatic background.
- Spinach Thawing Strategy: Break frozen spinach clusters methodically to ensure even heating and prevent cold spots in the soup’s texture.
- Cheese Melting Precision: Keep heat low when adding cream cheese and parmesan to prevent curdling, ensuring a smooth, silky soup consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg