This Cheesy Cauliflower Soup recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the delicious combination of cauliflower and cheddar cheese. With cooler days ahead, there is nothing more comforting than a steamy, nourishing bowl of homemade soup.
What is cauliflower?
Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, which also includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Although we think of cauliflower as a white vegetable, there are also coloured varieties -- orange, purple, and green or Romanesco! The colours don't affect the flavour of the cauliflower at all, so it's totally personal preference. That being said, the different coloured cauliflowers each provide different nutritional benefits. For example, orange cauliflower, like the one I used for making this Cauliflower Casserole, is higher in Vitamin A, whereas the purple and green varieties are higher in phytochemicals and carotenoids.
Here's Why You'll Love this Cheesy Cauliflower Soup Recipe
The creamy texture is amazing
This cauliflower soup is velvety, smooth, and extra creamy. And all of that delicious texture is actually cream-free AND gluten-free. Yep, you read that right: there is no cream in the recipe. The creaminess simply comes from the natural textures of the cauliflower and potatoes.
Customize the flavours
The cauliflower is definitely the star of this soup recipe, but bacon, cheese and chives are flavourful additions. My personal favourite topping is a handful of Spiced Lemon Roasted Chickpeas; they're crunchy, salty, and the perfect compliment to the cheesy cauliflower soup. Keep it vegetarian, keep it low carb, or pile in all your favorite add-ons -- this soup is fully customizable.
It's super easy to make
Cheesy cauliflower soup is easy to make, and it's a delicious meal in itself. Ready in just half an hour, it's likely you already have most of the ingredients for this recipe in your pantry. It really is the perfect winter meal for any day of the week!
Cauliflower is healthy
Cauliflower packs a powerful nutrition punch. It's high in Vitamin C and a good source of protein, niacin, thiamine, potassium, manganese, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, and folate -- just to name a few. Plus, the antioxidants in cruciferous veggies like cauliflower help protect your body from cancer and heart disease. For more info on the benefits of eating cauliflower, check out Cauliflower Health Benefits.
Here's What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Low sodium vegetable stock: Even using no or low sodium vegetable stock, the cheese and bacon in this soup add plenty of saltiness, so no extra salt is added to the recipe.
- Potatoes, peeled and chopped: I prefer to use Yukon gold potatoes for soups, but you can definitely use russet or red potatoes, as well. Go with whatever is already in your pantry!
- Cauliflower cut into florets: It's super easy! First, remove the leaves from the cauliflower and cut the cauliflower in half, then into quarters. Next, angle the knife to cut out the cores, then break or cut into florets.
- Bacon: You'll cook your bacon to a tender crisp, then chop it up! You can definitely leave out the bacon to make this soup vegetarian, and it is still just as delicious.
- Extra flavours: Throughout the recipe you'll need a few extras to fine-tune the taste, including freshly squeed lemon juice, black pepper, and fresh chives. I also like to have some grated sharp cheddar cheese to garnish at the end.
How to Make this Cheesy Cauliflower Soup, Step By Step
- In a large pot, bring stock to a boil
- Add potatoes and cauliflower, cooking until tender, about 15 minutes
- Remove from heat, and use an immersion blender to semi puree the vegetables (Its best to leave it a little bit chunky for texture). If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender to puree the soup. Just be sure to do it in small batches so that you don't end up with hot soup exploding from the top of the blender.
- Stir in lemon juice and pepper
- Add the cheese to the pot, stirring until melted and blended.
- Stir in bacon and chives.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese, if desired.
Note: The core of the cauliflower is perfectly edible and can also be used in the soup, or cooked along with the florets in other recipes, like this Turkey Cauliflower Meatloaf.
How to Store Cauliflower Soup
In the Fridge
Cheesy cauliflower soup will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. Allow it to cool completely, then store in airtight containers. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop.
In the Freezer
Because it isn't a cream-based soup, this recipe freezes well. After it has cooled completely, pack into freezer-safe, airtight containers. Thaw the soup overnight in the fridge, then reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop until heated through.
Want more delicious recipes with cauliflower? Try Cauliflower Fried Rice, General Tso Cauliflower & Mushrooms, Cauliflower Casserole or Roasted Cauliflower Lentil Curry.
Cheesy Cauliflower Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups vegetable stock low sodium
- 6 medium potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup sharp cheddar grated
- 5 slices bacon cooked to tender crisp and chopped
- ¼ cup fresh chives chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring stock to a boil
- Add potatoes and cauliflower, cooking until tender, about 15 minutes
- Remove from heat, and use an immersion blender to semi puree the vegetables. (Its best to leave it a little bit chunky for texture)
- Stir in lemon juice and pepper
- Add the cheese to the pot, stirring until melted and blended.
- Stir in bacon and chives.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese, if desired.
Yvonne Langen
Such a hearty and delicious fall meal! Plus, bacon makes everything better.
Colleen
Hi Yvonne, Yes, bacon makes everything better, but this soup would be delicious even with out it. 🙂
Elaine
Love the flavours you have combined in this creamy soup! I'm like you--LOVE making soup in the fall!
Colleen
Elaine, soup is just my favourite fall food!
Jessica from Cooking in my Genes
This looks so warm and comforting! Perfect for this time of year as our evenings get cooler - PLUS cheese and cauliflower I'm sold, everytime!
Colleen
Jessica, I' also sold on anything cheese & cauliflower! Such a yummy combo.
Diana
This soup looks so comforting and warming, I need to try it and definitely add lots of cheese! Yum!
Colleen
Hi Diana, you can never go wrong with lots of cheese, right? 🙂
Jen
Cauliflower is one of my most favorite foods ever! This soup looks delicious!
Colleen
Hi Jen! Cauliflower is one of my faves, too! This soup is indeed delicious. 🙂
Sandi
I really need to make this for myself and the kids. We are looking for more ways to eat cauliflower and this looks yummy!
Colleen
Sandi, Cauliflower is so versatile, plus kid friendly, too. I know your kiddos will love this!
Natalie
I love cauliflower but never tried making cauliflower soup before! Looks so delicious and creamy!
Colleen
Hi Natalie! If you have never tried making soup with cauliflower, then this one is your best start. It's so delicious.
Tisha
Such a great soup for fall and up coming chilly weather! Can't wait to try it 🙂
Colleen
I think you'll love it, Tisha! It's so delicious!
Dina
Colleen, you did it again making me want to run to the kitchen and cook. I am definitely making this one, love your recipes.
Colleen
Hi Dina, thanks so much for stopping by!. I think you'll love this soup, minus the bacon. So glad to inspire you!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
With Autumn fast approaching, this is just the dish I need to warm me up. Cheese and cauliflower? Sounds perfect to me!
Colleen
Hi Bintu. You can never go wrong with cauliflower + cheese!
Amy | The Cook Report
This looks like the perfect comforting autumn meal! Anything cheesy is a winner for me
Colleen
Hi Amy, and you can make this soup as cheesy as you like 🙂
Kristi
Yum! A perfect fall recipe and I make more soups after school starts. This looks delicious!
Colleen
Hi Kristi. This soup really is delicious and perfect for fall!
Danielle
That looks so comforting and a great way to use cauliflower. Cheese makes everything better!
Colleen
I agree Danielle. Cheese does make everything better!
Claire
This looks so rich and comforting.
Nothing like a big bowl of soup when the weather is cold!
I am sat by the fire with socks on today as Western Australia has hit a cold spell......send soup 😉
Colleen
Hi Claire, I would love to send soup to you but I'm in Canada, so you are a long ways away. Stay warm 🙂