Name: Easy Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe: Shockingly Good
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 TBS butter; 1 large brown onion, peeled and chopped; 1 large cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets; 1 large potato, peeled and cut into chunks; 3 cups (720ml) vegetable stock; 1 3/4 cups (420ml) milk; fine sea salt and white pepper to taste; 2/3 cup (75g) mature cheddar cheese, grated; 1/3 cup (25g) mature cheddar cheese crumbled

Jump to Recipe

Okay, friends, let’s talk comfort food! There’s just nothing quite like a big bowl of creamy soup on a chilly day, right? And my absolute *favorite*? It’s gotta be this cauliflower cheese soup. It’s seriously the BEST. I’ve been tweaking this recipe for years, ever since I was a kiddo watching my grandma whip it up. It’s so simple, but trust me, the flavor is out of this world. This particular recipe is a favorite in my family and I hope it will be in yours too!

Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Seriously, you’re gonna be obsessed! This soup is like a warm hug in a bowl, and here’s why:

Comfort in a Bowl

Let’s be real, sometimes you just need something cozy. This cauliflower cheese soup? It’s pure comfort food. Every spoonful is like a warm blanket on a cold day. I love it!

Quick and Easy Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen? No problem! This soup is SO easy to whip up. It’s ready in under an hour, perfect for a weeknight meal. Score!

Flavorful and Cheesy

Okay, the flavor is where it’s at! The cauliflower is super mild, but the cheese? The cheese makes it sing! It’s creamy, rich, and totally satisfying. Yum!

Vegetarian-Friendly

Looking for a vegetarian option? This soup is perfect! Packed with veggies and cheesy goodness, it’s a win-win for everyone.

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Ingredients for Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need for the BEST cauliflower cheese soup EVER. Don’t worry if you don’t have *everything* – a little wiggle room is fine! Just make sure you grab a good head of cauliflower and some yummy cheddar, those are must-haves.

2 TBS butter
1 large brown onion, peeled and chopped
1 large cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
1 large potato, peeled and cut into chunks
3 cups (720ml) vegetable stock
1 3/4 cups (420ml) milk
fine sea salt and white pepper to taste
2/3 cup (75g) mature cheddar cheese, grated
1/3 cup (25g) mature cheddar cheese crumbled

Key Ingredients Spotlight

Okay, so a few ingredients are *super* important for this cauliflower cheese soup. Cauliflower, obviously! It gives the soup its body. And the cheddar? That’s where all the cheesy goodness comes from! They’re like the dynamic duo of this recipe.

The Perfect Cauliflower

You’ll want a nice, firm head of cauliflower. Look for one that’s creamy white, without any brown spots. Fresh is best, trust me!

Choosing the Right Cheddar

Okay, cheddar is key! I like using a mature cheddar for a really sharp, cheesy flavor. But honestly? Use whatever cheddar you like! Mild, medium, they all work great.

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How to Make Cauliflower Cheese Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to get cooking? Don’t worry, this cauliflower cheese soup is super simple! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a bowl of creamy goodness in no time. Seriously, it’s easier than ordering takeout!

Preparing the Base for Your Cauliflower Cheese Soup

First, melt that butter in a big saucepan over medium heat. Then, toss in your chopped onion and let it cook until it’s nice and soft – about 5 minutes should do it. You don’t want it to brown, just get tender. Next, add in your cauliflower florets and potato chunks. Almost there!

Simmering to Perfection for Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Now, pour in the vegetable stock and milk, and season with salt and pepper. Bring it all to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the cauliflower and potatoes are super soft. This is where the magic happens!

Achieving the Creamy Texture of Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Okay, time to make it creamy! You can use a food processor, a potato masher, or my favorite, a stick blender. Just blend it all up until it’s smooth and thick. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk to get it just right. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, it’ll still taste amazing!

Adding the Cheese for the Ultimate Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Warm the soup through again until it’s nice and hot. Then, stir in that grated cheddar cheese! Keep stirring until it’s all melted and gooey. Mmm, cheese!

Serving Your Delicious Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Ladle the soup into bowls or mugs, and sprinkle those cheddar cheese pieces on top. These can then be stirred through before eating. Serve it hot and enjoy! You deserve it!

Tips for the Best Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Want to take your cauliflower cheese soup from “good” to “OMG AMAZING”? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years. These tips make a HUGE difference, trust me!

Don’t Overcook the Cauliflower

Seriously, nobody wants mushy cauliflower! Cook it just until it’s tender, not falling apart. Overcooked cauliflower gets kinda gross, so keep an eye on it!

Use a Good Quality Cheddar

Cheap cheddar? It just won’t melt as nicely, and the flavor won’t be as good. Splurge a little on some good quality cheddar, you’ll taste the difference! My favorite part is how it all melts together!

Adjust the Consistency to Your Liking

Some people like their cauliflower cheese soup super thick, others like it a bit thinner. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk. Too thin? Simmer it a bit longer to let some of the liquid evaporate. Easy peasy!

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Variations

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic cauliflower cheese soup? Awesome! Now let’s get a little crazy! This recipe is super versatile, so you can totally tweak it to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Trust me, they’re all delicious!

Spicy Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Want to add a little kick? Toss in some chili flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce! It adds a nice warmth to the creamy soup. Careful, it splatters!

Smoky Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Smoked paprika is your friend! A little sprinkle adds a delicious smoky flavor. Or, if you’re feeling extra, crumble in some cooked bacon. Yum!

Herbed Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Fresh herbs? Always a good idea! Thyme or rosemary are amazing in this soup. Just chop them up and stir them in at the end. So fresh!

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Serving Suggestions for Your Cauliflower Cheese Soup

This cauliflower cheese soup is pretty amazing on its own, but you know what makes it even BETTER? The perfect side! Here are a couple of my go-to’s. They’re super simple, but they really complete the meal. I love a good pairing!

Bread for Dipping

Gotta have bread! Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up all that cheesy goodness. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, try garlic bread. So yummy!

Side Salad

Want something a little lighter? A simple green salad is perfect! It adds a little freshness to balance out the richness of the soup. I always add a bit of lemon to mine!

Storing and Reheating Your Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Okay, so you’ve made a big batch of this amazing cauliflower cheese soup, and you’ve got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to store and reheat it so it tastes just as good the next day. Or even the next week! It’s just as good reheated, trust me!

Storing Leftovers

Let the soup cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Easy peasy!

Reheating Instructions

You can reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave. Just heat it until it’s nice and hot. Watch out, it can bubble over!

Freezing Instructions

Want to freeze it? Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers. But! Freeze it *before* you add the cheese. Thaw, reheat, then stir in the cheese. Makes it so much better!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Got questions about making the perfect cauliflower cheese soup? I got you! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked. Hopefully, this covers everything, but feel free to ask more in the comments! I’m always happy to help!

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

Sure, you *can* use frozen cauliflower, but honestly? Fresh is best! Frozen cauliflower can sometimes be a little watery, which can affect the texture of the soup. But in a pinch, it’ll totally work!

Can I make this cauliflower cheese soup vegan?

Absolutely! Just swap the butter for olive oil or vegan butter, use plant-based milk, and find some good vegan cheddar. There are some AMAZING vegan cheeses out there now! It’s super easy to adapt!

How do I prevent the soup from being grainy?

Grainy soup? No thanks! Make sure you cook the cauliflower and potatoes until they’re *really* soft. And blend it well! A good blender is your best friend here. Also, don’t boil the soup after you add the cheese, that can make it grainy too!

Nutritional Information Disclaimer

Okay, a quick note! All nutritional info is just an estimate. It can vary based on brands and how you measure, so don’t take it as gospel, okay?

Ready to Make the Best Cauliflower Cheese Soup?

Alright, you’ve got all the secrets! Now go make this amazing cauliflower cheese soup! And hey, if you love it (and I *know* you will!), leave a comment below! Rate the recipe, share it with your friends! Let’s spread the cheesy goodness!