Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe

Easy Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe

When winter’s chill demands a warm cheddar cauliflower soup, creamy comfort becomes your ultimate salvation.

Roasted garlic infuses deep, mellow notes into this velvety blend of wholesome ingredients.

Cauliflower’s subtle sweetness partners beautifully with sharp cheese undertones.

Humble vegetables merge into an extraordinary culinary experience that warms from within.

Each spoonful promises rich, smooth textures that dance across your palate.

Smooth and satisfying, this recipe transforms simple produce into pure deliciousness.

You’ll want to savor every luxurious bite of this soul-soothing creation.

Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup That Comforts

  • A soul-warming soup that transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious meal.
  • Roasting cauliflower and garlic simultaneously creates deep, rich flavors with minimal chopping and active cooking time.
  • Packed with nutritious cauliflower and heart-healthy olive oil, this recipe offers a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies without heaviness.
  • Using simple roasting technique elevates basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality soup that impresses with minimal culinary skills required.

Everything Needed for Cauliflower Garlic Soup

Vegetables:
  • Cauliflower Florets: The star of the soup, providing a creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor. Fresh, white cauliflower works best with no brown spots.
  • Garlic: Adds deep, roasted sweetness and complexity to the soup. Choose fresh, firm garlic heads with tight, unbroken skin.
Fats and Oils:
  • Olive Oil: Helps roast vegetables and adds smooth richness. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavor.
Seasoning:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of the cauliflower and garlic. Use kosher or sea salt for better taste.

Pro Tips for Smooth Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

  • Boost Roasting Flavor: Toss cauliflower with herbs like thyme or rosemary before roasting to add extra depth and aromatic notes to the soup.
  • Prevent Burning: Cover cauliflower with parchment paper during roasting to ensure even browning and prevent scorching at the edges.
  • Adjust Creaminess: Use different milk options like almond or coconut milk for a lighter version, or add heavy cream for an ultra-rich texture.
  • Enhance Texture: Blend soup until smooth for a silky consistency, or leave some chunks for a rustic, hearty feel that adds interesting mouthfeel.
  • Make It Vegan: Substitute dairy cheddar with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives to create a plant-based version of this comforting soup.

Keep Cauliflower Garlic Soup Fresh After Cooking

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
  • Transfer frozen or refrigerated soup to a pot. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore creamy consistency if needed. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.
  • Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature before serving to ensure soup is heated through.

What Goes Well with Cheddar Cauliflower Garlic Soup

  • Select a light, buttery Chardonnay that complements the creamy soup's rich texture and enhances the roasted garlic's subtle sweetness.
  • Slice a hearty sourdough to soak up the velvety soup, providing a tangy contrast and delightful textural crunch.
  • Add a side of tender roasted chicken seasoned with thyme and rosemary to create a balanced, satisfying meal that echoes the soup's earthy flavors.
  • Toss a light salad with bitter greens, toasted almonds, and a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness and provide a fresh counterpoint.

Flavor Twists for Cheddar Cauliflower & Garlic Soup

  • Vegan Cauliflower Soup: Replace cheddar cheese with nutritional yeast and use plant-based milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
  • Low-Carb Roasted Cauliflower Soup: Skip the milk and use heavy cream or coconut cream to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the soup rich and satisfying.
  • Spicy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper during roasting to create a warming, zesty version of the original recipe.
  • Herb-Infused Cauliflower Soup: Incorporate fresh thyme or rosemary during roasting to enhance the aromatic profile and add depth to the soup's flavor.

How to Make Creamy Cauliflower Garlic Soup at Home

Step 1: Prep Oven and Baking Sheet

Crank up your oven to a toasty 400°F. Grab a baking sheet and get ready for some flavor magic.

Step 2: Dress Cauliflower

Grab your cauliflower and break it into lovely florets. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Spread the florets evenly across the baking sheet.

Step 3: Garlic Transformation

Take a whole garlic head and slice off its top. Drizzle a touch of olive oil over the exposed cloves. Wrap the garlic securely in aluminum foil.

Step 4: Roasting Ritual

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Let the cauliflower and garlic roast together for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when:
  • Cauliflower turns golden brown
  • Edges get slightly crispy
  • Garlic becomes soft and caramelized

Remove from the oven and let the magical aromas fill your kitchen.

Print
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Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe

Creamy Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Silky “Cheddar Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup” delivers comfort in a bowl, promising rich flavors that dance between earthy and sharp. Smooth cheese and tender cauliflower create a luxurious experience you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish (Optional):

  • Croutons
  • Extra cheese
  • Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven for roasting by setting the temperature to 400F (200C), creating an ideal environment for caramelizing vegetables.
  2. Prepare cauliflower by breaking it into evenly sized florets, ensuring uniform cooking and optimal texture.
  3. Coat cauliflower florets with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper, which will enhance the natural flavors during roasting.
  4. Arrange the seasoned cauliflower on a baking sheet in a single layer, allowing each piece to receive direct heat and develop a golden-brown exterior.
  5. Prepare the garlic head by carefully slicing off the top, exposing the cloves and allowing for easier roasting and flavor development.
  6. Drizzle the exposed garlic head with a light layer of olive oil to promote even caramelization and prevent excessive drying.
  7. Wrap the prepared garlic head completely in aluminum foil, creating a protective packet that will steam and soften the cloves.
  8. Place the foil-wrapped garlic alongside the cauliflower on the same baking sheet to streamline the roasting process.
  9. Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring their progress to achieve a tender cauliflower with light browning and a soft, caramelized garlic head.

Notes

  • Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting the amount of vegetable or chicken broth for a personalized consistency.
  • Enhance the roasted flavors by toasting whole spices like cumin or coriander seeds before adding them to the soup for deeper, more complex notes.
  • Transform this dish into a vegan-friendly option by substituting dairy cheddar with nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese alternatives for similar rich, tangy flavor.
  • Elevate the soup’s texture and nutrition by garnishing with crispy roasted cauliflower florets, toasted pumpkin seeds, or fresh herbs like chives or parsley for added crunch and visual appeal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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