Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Cheddar Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 03/03/2014

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Cauliflower soup is a perfect weeknight meal when you’re craving a bowl of creamy soup. The sharp cheddar adds great flavor and extra creaminess.

Take flavorful roasted cauliflower and blend it with sharp white cheddar to create this luxuriously smooth and creamy soup. I think you could call this a comfort food. Certainly you may call it a delicious soup!

And since I live in Michigan where spring IS NEVER COMING, we’ll be eating soup until the cows come home. It’s so cold all the time!

PS: If you love the cauliflower and cheese combination, try my Parmesan roasted cauliflower.

Cauliflower soup is souper easy to make (ha.ha.ha. — this is what being stuck inside does to me). And since it’s against my personal moral code to eat cauliflower without first roasting it, that is obviously a necessary step.

Actually, I felt like such a fraud writing that – it might be a bit of an exaggeration. I ate steamed/boiled frozen cauliflower tonight. I was tired. Sometimes a lady just has to dump a bag of frozen veggies into a pan of hot water and get dinner on the table as quickly and easily as possible. Today was one of those days.

But I much prefer cauliflower roasted, as I do most vegetables. I actually have a list of over 40 ways to roast vegetables. Check it out if you haven’t seen it yet. Have you tried roasting sweet potatoes, or roasted broccoli, or roasted carrots, just to name a few? So good!

Roasting the cauliflower before pureeing it into thesoup adds a great depth of flavor. While it isn’t completely required, it is very very very much required. I mean…recommended.

Curl up with a blanket and a mug of this cauliflower soup — it’s going to be winter forever.

And ever.

Searching for more soup recipes?

I’ll share some of our family favorites with you! Try:

  • Carrot Ginger Soup (vegan and Whole30)
  • Split Pea Soup (vegetarian/vegan option, too)
  • 15 Bean Soup with Ham (or without, if you prefer)
  • Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Instant Pot Tomato Soup
  • Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon
  • Red Lentil Soup (with surprise ingredient)
  • Copycat Panera Squash Soup (more healthy, though)

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Cheddar Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (4)

Recipe

Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Cheddar Cheese

4.60 from 5 votes

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

6 servings

Print Rate Recipe

Cauliflower soup is a perfect weeknight meal when you’re craving a bowl of creamy soup. The sharp cheddar adds great flavor and extra creaminess.

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower, [roasted]
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced small
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water (or more)
  • 6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Roast cauliflower.

  • Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until translucent or about 5 minutes.

  • Add the roasted cauliflower, chicken broth, and one cup of water. Bring to a boil and boil until cauliflower is very soft (about 10 minutes).

  • Carefully transfer this mixture to a blender in batches (should take 2-3 batches) and puree until smooth.

  • Return to saucepan, add cheese and cayenne and more water if necessary to thin out the soup. Heat over medium-low heat until cheese is melted and soup is heated through.

  • Serve immediately or cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Notes

  • Cook time includes roasting cauliflower.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1of 6, Calories: 203kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 299mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Kimberly says

    Can you freeze the Cauliflower soup and the copy Panera squash soup.?My family doesn’t eat it only me.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I think they would both definitely freeze well, thanks for asking!

      Reply

  2. Susan says

    This soup is delicious! I made it for the first time this evening and my husband and I both love it. I make soup frequently beginning this time of year, so this will be something I make regularly.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply

  3. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

    I agree with you about the roasted vegetables- something magical happens while they are in that oven! This soup looks great. It’s hard to resist anything with white cheddar in it!

    Reply

  4. Rachel @ Itty Bitty Ivie says

    Yummm that sounds perfect for the cold day here. An immersion blender is definitely on my lists of things to get.

    Reply

  5. ATasteOfMadness says

    This looks so good! I am loving the sound of roasted cauliflower, yum!

    Reply

  6. denise says

    sounds tasty and a reason to use my immersion blender

    Reply

  7. DessertForTwo says

    Seriously, when is the snow going to melt? We are only weeks away from spring, and I still don’t believe it’s ever coming. Until then, I’ll eat cheesy soup with you :)

    Reply

  8. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says

    I would love to warm up with this cauliflower soup. I ate way too much this past weekend and this would be a good detox recipe.

    Reply

  9. Paul D Noble says

    I disagree with your husband, I love this soup. My problem is I don’t like to use my blender just for me. I just must be getting lazy.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Do you have an immersion blender? I love mine!

      Reply

  10. Ali | Gimme Some Oven says

    Looks SOUPER delicious! :)

    Reply

  11. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    Roasted cauliflower = yum. Raw = yuck (unless I pile 2x my bodyweight in Ranch dressing on it.)
    I love cauliflower with cheddar, especially one big bowl o’ comfort! Pinned!

    Reply

  12. Kim | Just For Clicks says

    I am SO with you…. I will ONLY eat cauliflower if it’s roasted first….. And, umm since we are apparently in the winter that will never end, soup is SO needed. Pinning this one now! Have a great start to your week.

    Reply

Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Cheddar Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower soup tasteless? ›

How Do You Fix Bland Cauliflower Soup?
  • Season twice with salt and pepper: You'll start by seasoning the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper before roasting. Then, season again when the roasted florets are combined with broth on the stovetop. ...
  • Add lots of aromatics. ...
  • Finish with lemon.

Do I have to wash cauliflower before roasting? ›

NOTES
  1. Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. ...
  2. Cut the head of cauliflower into four quarters.
  3. Slice each quarter into 6-8 pieces. ...
  4. Give all the florets a thorough rinse in a colander. ...
  5. Spread the florets out in an even layer on the baking sheet.
Jan 4, 2020

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.

Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy? ›

Roasted Cauliflower Cooking Prep

First, grab a baking tray large enough for the cauliflower to sit in a single layer. Overcrowding the baking tray will result in mushy and not evenly cooked cauliflower. Choosing a proper cooking fat ensures roasted cauliflower goodness.

How do I increase the depth of flavor in 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 do you get the smell out of roasted cauliflower? ›

To avoid cauliflower smell while cooking, add a few drops of white vinegar - it kills the smell.

Can dogs eat cauliflower? ›

Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower in moderation, either raw or cooked. Cauliflower is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C for dogs. Some dogs may dislike the slightly bitter taste of cauliflower. Avoid cauliflower with seasonings or oils, as they can cause upset stomach.

What happens when you add lemon juice to water when cooking cauliflower? ›

Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

How to clean bugs off cauliflower? ›

First of all, separate the whole head and then divide it into individual florets. Next, cut away the center stem using a knife. Next, transfer the florets to a colander and place them under running water to wash off the dirt and bigger bugs.

Should you wash cauliflower with vinegar? ›

Produce with rough outer skin: Items such as broccoli, potatoes and cauliflower are a little harder to clean. Soak in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 1 minute. For heads of cabbage or lettuce, it's best to separate the leaves first.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy? ›

When your cauliflower is roasting, it will give off steam – if there isn't enough space for air flow, the steam will end up making your cauliflower mushy. Leaving enough space around each piece ensures they will caramelize and crisp up.

Why does my cauliflower soup taste bitter? ›

All the vegetables form the Brassica family have a bitter component to their flavour. Brassica is the family that includes cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You can actually remove quite a lot of it by leeching it out in to the water, or by using salt.

Why does cooked cauliflower hurt my stomach? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

How do I fix bland tasting 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.

Why does my soup taste flavorless? ›

If your broth tastes thin and bland, you may want to cook and let it evaporate for longer. That helps concentrate its flavors and gives you a better-tasting soup broth. Be sure to remove the lid to let the steam escape.

Is cauliflower flavorless? ›

Raw cauliflower has a subtly sweet, slightly nutty flavor. It is delicate and mild with a hint of pepperiness. Cauliflower's crisp texture yields a pleasing crunch when included in salads or used as a vessel for dips.

How to counteract cauliflower taste? ›

Don't overcook your cruciferous vegetables. Or cook them with flavors that will mask it better -- garlic, olive oil, salt, hot chilies, etc.

References

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