Cozy Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Creamy cauliflower cheese soup brings comfort right to your kitchen on chilly evenings.

Warm and velvety textures mingle with sharp cheddar notes that dance across each spoonful.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly into a rich, satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Nutritious cauliflower provides a delicate base for this classic recipe, creating depth without heaviness.

Cheese adds a luxurious smoothness that makes every bite irresistible.

Simple techniques and minimal ingredients mean you can whip up this delightful soup faster than ordering takeout.

Let’s turn an ordinary weeknight into an extraordinary culinary experience that will make everyone at the table smile.

What You Need for Cauliflower Cheese Soup

• Cauliflower: A hearty vegetable that provides the base and texture for this creamy soup.
• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the overall flavor profile.
• Broth: Creates the liquid foundation for the soup's consistency.

• Butter: Helps create a rich and smooth roux for thickening the soup.
• Flour: Works with butter to create a classic thickening base.
• Milk: Provides creaminess and helps blend the soup's components.
• Cheese: Delivers a rich, tangy flavor and additional creaminess to the soup.

• Bouillon, Seasonings: Enhance the soup's overall taste and complexity.
• Bread, Parsley: Offer a complementary texture and fresh garnish when serving.

How to Prepare Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Step 1: Prepare Cauliflower Base

Chop fresh cauliflower into small, bite-sized florets. Dice onions into fine pieces. In a large pot, combine cauliflower, onions, vegetable broth, and chicken bouillon cubes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook until the cauliflower becomes tender and easily breaks apart, which typically takes about 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Create Creamy Roux

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Gradually sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth, lump-free paste. This technique helps prevent any unwanted clumps in your soup.

Step 3: Build Luxurious Sauce

Slowly pour milk into the butter-flour mixture, stirring constantly. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes velvety smooth. This process helps develop a rich, creamy texture that will make your soup incredibly satisfying.

Step 4: Blend Cheese and Seasonings

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Stir until the cheese melts completely and blends smoothly into the sauce.

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Pour the cheese sauce into the cauliflower base. Stir gently to incorporate all ingredients. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, which helps meld the flavors together.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top. Serve with crusty bread on the side for a comforting, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out.

Tips for Creamy Cauliflower Cheese Soup

• Boost Creaminess: Use full-fat milk or heavy cream for a richer, more luxurious soup texture.
• Prevent Lumps: Slowly whisk milk into the butter-flour mixture to create a smooth, silky base without clumps.
• Enhance Flavor: Roast cauliflower beforehand to add a deep, nutty taste that elevates the soup's overall profile.
• Control Thickness: Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth if too thick or simmering longer to reduce and thicken.
• Cheese Selection: Experiment with sharp cheddar, gruyère, or a blend of cheeses for complex, layered flavor dimensions.

Soup Variations: Cauliflower Cheese Edition

• Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace milk with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese, and swap butter for olive oil.
• Low-Carb Cheesy Solution: Substitute cauliflower with zucchini or broccoli, use heavy cream instead of milk, and add extra sharp cheddar.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Add diced green chiles, swap regular cheese with pepper jack, and sprinkle chili powder for extra kick.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Use cornstarch instead of flour, select gluten-free broth, and garnish with gluten-free croutons for crunch.

Pair It Well: Cauliflower Cheese Soup Matches

• Crusty Bread Companion: Grab a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the creamy, cheesy soup, adding delightful texture and a tangy contrast.
• Crisp White Wine Pairing: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness, offering a refreshing palate cleanse with its bright, acidic notes.
• Herb-Infused Green Salad: Toss a light mixed greens salad with lemon vinaigrette and fresh herbs like dill or chives to balance the soup's heavy, comforting profile.
• Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare a quick medley of roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots to complement the soup's creamy cauliflower base.

Keep Cauliflower Cheese Soup Fresh Longer

• Store soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Avoid adding cream or garnishes before freezing.
• Transfer soup to microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when soup reaches desired temperature.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add splash of milk if soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.

FAQ Guide for Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Soup

• What are the key ingredients for this Cauliflower Cheese Soup?

Fresh cauliflower, onions, chicken or vegetable broth, butter, flour, milk, and a blend of cheeses like cheddar are the essential ingredients that create this creamy and comforting soup.

• Is this soup gluten-free or can it be modified?

The traditional recipe contains flour, but you can easily make it gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend to maintain the soup’s thickness.

• How nutritious is Cauliflower Cheese Soup?

This soup is packed with nutrients from cauliflower, which is rich in vitamins C and K, provides antioxidants, and supports digestive health, while the cheese adds calcium and protein.

Why You’ll Crave Mary Berry Cauliflower Cheese Soup

• Quick Comfort Food: A soul-warming soup that delivers rich, cheesy goodness in every spoonful, perfect for satisfying hunger and warming chilly days.
• Minimal Kitchen Skills Required: Beginners can master this recipe with simple steps, using basic cooking techniques like simmering and whisking that don't demand advanced culinary expertise.
• Versatile Meal Option: Adaptable for different occasions from casual family dinners to cozy weekend lunches, offering a nutritious and delicious meal that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Budget-Friendly Cooking: Utilizes affordable ingredients like cauliflower, milk, and cheese, making it an economical dish that doesn't compromise on flavor or nutrition.

Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this creamy Cauliflower Cheese Soup, a luxurious blend of roasted cauliflower and sharp cheddar. Warm spices and smooth textures create a hearty bowl that welcomes you into a world of delicious satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 medium onion, chopped

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces/412 grams) chicken broth
• 1 chicken bouillon cube

Seasoning and Thickening Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• minced fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine cauliflower florets, diced onions, vegetable broth, and bouillon cube. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until vegetables become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, create a roux in a separate saucepan by melting butter over low heat and gradually whisking in flour until smooth and golden.
3. Slowly pour milk into the roux, continuously whisking to prevent lumps and create a creamy base. Cook until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to low and incorporate shredded cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated into the sauce. Add salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings for enhanced flavor.
5. Gently fold the cheese sauce into the cooked cauliflower mixture, ensuring even distribution and maintaining a consistent texture.
6. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together and reach a perfect serving temperature of 160°F.
7. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a side of crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.

Notes

• Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version that’s creamy and light.
• Roast cauliflower beforehand to enhance its nutty flavor and add depth to the soup’s overall taste profile.
• Use aged cheddar or a blend of cheeses like gruyère and sharp cheddar for a more complex, rich cheese flavor.
• For extra texture, sprinkle crispy bacon bits or toasted breadcrumbs on top just before serving to add a delightful crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg