Description
This Creamy Vegetable Soup is a warm and nourishing dish loaded with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a velvety smooth texture. Topped with crispy croutons, this comforting soup is perfect for chilly nights or a wholesome lunch. Vegetarian, easy to make, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients
Units
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For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1/2 cup chopped cauliflower (or broccoli)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a vegan option)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Croutons:
- 2 cups bread cubes (day-old bread works best)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
For the Soup:
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened (~5 minutes).
- Add potatoes & cauliflower: Stir in potatoes, cauliflower, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Simmer: Pour in vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- Blend for creaminess: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches.
- Add cream & cheese: Stir in heavy cream (or coconut milk) and cheddar cheese (if using). Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot: Garnish with fresh parsley and croutons.
For the Croutons:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Bake on a lined baking sheet for 10–12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- To make it vegan, replace heavy cream with coconut milk and omit cheese.
- Add peas, zucchini, or spinach for extra nutrients.
- Use store-bought croutons if short on time!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (~1.5 cups)
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg