Loaded Cauliflower Soup Recipe (2024)

Of all our cauliflower recipes, this is the best soup to combine the rich flavors of cauliflower, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon for a savory wholesome meal.

Don’t get us wrong, we love a good potato soup. We also know that not everyone does, and we create new recipes to fit everyone’s tastes. So we created this cauliflower twist on our favorite Creamy Ham and Potato Soup that non-potato lovers and low carb eaters can enjoy.

Let’s talk about cauliflower! Cauliflower is a nutritional powerhouse, offering a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin K, as well as folate and various antioxidants. It’s a nutritious veggie with many health benefits.

How well does cauliflower substitute for potatoes? Fresh cauliflower, when cooked to tender perfection, achieves a creamy consistency akin to potatoes. It imparts a lusciously smooth and velvety texture to the soup. We leave some of the soup unblended so that you get chunky bits of cauliflower in every bite.

Cauliflower’s subtle earthy notes complement the richness of the sharp cheddar cheese, creating a harmony that makes every spoonful a delicious experience.

Don’t have a head of cauliflower? Check your veggies for broccoli. The result is a yummy loaded cheddar broccoli soup with a similar prep time. Delish! If opting for broccoli, keep a closer eye as it cooks to make sure it doesn’t overcook and lose its vibrant color.

Frozen cauliflower can also be used in this recipe. You will need to reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid overcooking. We recommend checking the cauliflower at around 10 minutes and adding time as needed to reach a soft texture.

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Servings: Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons cooking fat of choice (olive oil, avocado oil, butter or ghee)
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced small
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 very large head cauliflower (or 2 small-medium heads), broken into small florets (about 7 cups or 24 ounces)
• 3 cups chicken broth (or homemade bone broth)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, lightly crushed between your fingers)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups kale, torn into small pieces
• 3 slices crisp cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives (optional; may use 1 teaspoon dried chives and add with other dried herbs
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional; may use 1 teaspoon dried parsley and add with other dried herbs)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place a large pot with lid (a 5- or 6-quart Dutch oven works well) over medium-high heat.
2. Add cooking fat of choice to the pot. When hot, add the onions.
3. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until the onions soften.
4. Add garlic and cook, stirring, an additional 30-60 seconds on medium heat until garlic is fragrant.
5. Add cauliflower florets, broth, thyme, and rosemary.
6. Stir and increase heat slightly to bring the liquid to a low boil.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a lid.
8. Allow the cauliflower to cook for 20-25 minutes or until very tender (but not mushy).
9. Remove lid from pot and reduce heat to low.
10. Carefully remove ½ of the cauliflower and broth to a blender pitcher or food processor and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender right in the pot and blend until some chunks remain.
11. Transfer blended soup back to pot, stir in milk, cheese, and kale.
12. Heat over low heat for 3-5 minutes or until the kale is wilted.
13. Remove soup from heat, stir in bacon, fresh chives, and parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving.
14. Garnish as you would a loaded potato with sour cream, bacon bits, chives, and shredded cheese. Caramelized yellow onion and croutons make a yummy garnish as well.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1¼ cups
• Calories: 375
• Fat: 24 g
• (Sat Fat: 12 g)
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Carbohydrate: 17 g
• (Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 9 g)
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 76 mg

Egg-FreeGluten-freeGrain-FreeNut-free

© The Real Food Dietitians