Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (2024)

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Cauliflower parmesan soup! Yum! It’s funny; I never considered myself much of a vegetable person before starting the keto diet. But cauliflower? That’s been on my radar since I was a kid.

Cauliflower always felt like a special occasion treat. Not necessarily because of the taste, but because of the party platters! Any family get-together or birthday party was sure to feature the classic party platter trifecta: celery, broccoli, and cauliflower. I would run around with olive fingers and demolish the cauliflower tray. Ah, the simple life. There’s just something about the veggie that makes me feel nostalgic.

Although I loved cauliflower, my consumption was limited to party trays with dip. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the innovative ways to incorporate cauliflower into your low carb diet. Cauliflower has since become a staple in my diet, and I’ve become particularly fond of making cauliflower soups.

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (1)

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (2)

How to make soup creamy without cream?

This creamy cauliflower parmesan soup is velvety and rich. It’s amazing how creamy the soup turns out considering there is no cream whatsoever. The trick to a creamy cauliflower soup without cream is adding in butter, or ghee if you're dairy-free, and using a blender to puree. You can use either a stand blender or immersion blender, what is most convenient for you. Voila! Creamy without the cream and added calories!

Reserving small cauliflower florets and cooking them in herbed brown butter add an additional layer of texture and flavor (a tip I picked up from America’s Test Kitchen – I just love that show!). Healthy and decadent! Whaaat?!

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (3)

The Cauliflower Parmesan Soup Recipe

You will need cauliflower, Parmesan, butter, leek, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper. I enjoy using bone broth or stock to simmer the cauliflower, but you can easily use water or vegetable stock for the fluid if you are vegetarian with equally delicious results. The leek and onion are sautéed in butter and salt, cauliflower is added with the broth/water and simmered until tender. Meanwhile, your florets are cooking in melted butter and thyme. Just blend the cauliflower mixture with parmesan, then garnish with golden florets and browned butter drizzled over the top.

It’s easy, looks fancy and tastes much more sophisticated than anything you’ll find on a vegetable party platter! Try the cauliflower parmesan soup when you're in the mood for something warm and hearty.

If you're looking for more recipes using this creamy cauliflower base, check out my dairy-free keto clam chowder!

📖 Recipe

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (4)

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe]

A decadent, creamy cauliflower soup without any cream at all!

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine: American

Special Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Servings: 6 Servings

Serving Size:

Net Carbs: 5g

Author: Tasha

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ onion sliced
  • ½ leek sliced
  • 1 head cauliflower chopped
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (1 bouillon cube per 2 cups)
  • 2-3 cups water depending on consistency
  • 2 tablespoons thyme chopped
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese fresh

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large pot.

  • Add salt, onion, and leek. Cook until onion becomes soft and translucent.

  • Add half of cauliflower, 4 tablespoons butter, 2 cups broth and 2 cups water to pot. Bring to simmer for 10-15 minutes, until cauliflower is tender and falling apart.

  • Add ¾ of remaining cauliflower to pot and continue to simmer.

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter with thyme and remaining cauliflower florets. Stir as the butter begins to bubble and brown.

  • Once the cauliflower in the pot is tender, remove from heat and place in blender. Add parmesan cheese.

  • Being careful to cover blender vent with towel, blend simmered cauliflower mixture until smooth. Add additional water to adjust consistency of soup if needed. Blend some more.

  • Transfer blended soup to bowl.

  • Garnish with golden florets and drizzled brown butter.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, omit Parmesan and butter. Consider using ghee, or clarified butter, as milk proteins are largely removed. If you have a dairy sensitivity or allergy, alternative fat of choice may be substituted--olive oil, tallow, etc.

5g net carbs per serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe]

Amount per Serving

Calories

240

% Daily Value*

Fat

20

g

31

%

Sodium

785

mg

34

%

Potassium

342

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

7

g

2

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

2

g

2

%

Protein

8

g

16

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @KETOGASM or tag #ketogasm!

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (5)

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (6)

Tasha

Hi, I'm Tasha–nutritionist, recipe developer, and multi-published cookbook author.

« Cauliflower: Your Low Carb Vegetable Hero

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (7)Gloria says

    Hi there!
    I have 2 questions to ask.
    1. Do you use the whole thing or just the florets for the soup?
    2. Is there some reason you add the cauliflower in two batches?

    Reply

  2. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (8)April says

    Oh my! Seriously some of the best soup I have ever had. I don't usually like leftovers but this soup...so good!! Thank you for the amazing recipe.

    Reply

  3. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (9)Terrig says

    Where's the Parmesan info? How much and when to add?

    Reply

    • Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (10)Tasha Metcalf says

      1 cup! Apologies, I imported all my recipes into a new plugin last week and had to correct some things that didn't merge properly. I totally missed this, thank you for the heads up!

      Reply

  4. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (11)Tom says

    Did I miss how much Parmesan cheese to add and when to add it?

    Reply

    • Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (12)Tasha Metcalf says

      It's 1 cup! Sorry, I totally missed this after imported all my recipes into a new plugin last week. I appreciate you letting me know and updated the ingredients and instruction above. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (13)Roosterhead says

    This looks great. Do you think it is possible to make this in a slow cooker?

    Reply

    • Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (14)Tasha Metcalf says

      Good question! I haven't tried it in a slow cooker, but I don't see why it wouldn't work well. You won't be able to make the brown butter portion in a crockpot, but the soup would likely fare well. If you try it, please let me know how it turned out in a slow cooker and any necessary tweaks. 🙂

      Reply

    • Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (15)Tasha Metcalf says

      Good question! I haven't tried it in a slow cooker, but I don't see why it wouldn't work well. You won't be able to make the brown butter portion in a crockpot, but the soup would likely fare well. If you try it, please let me know how it turned out in a slow cooker and any tweaks. 🙂

      Reply

  6. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (16)Dawn says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (17)
    Great soup! My husband loved it. I added some grated smoked gouda cheese!

    Reply

  7. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (18)Steph says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (19)
    Loved the soup, the buttered cauliflower was almost like croutons. Tasted even better the next day. Now just to master a cloud bread recipe and I'll try that with it next time!

    Reply

  8. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (20)Jane says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (21)
    Loving the recipies here!

    Reply

  9. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (22)Ruth says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (23)
    Just made this, delicious! Thanks!

    Reply

  10. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (24)Vicky Hopper says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (25)
    I made this tonight for my family. They loved it! I made a few variations. I added diced bacon, saute'd the leek and onion in the bacon grease, then blended it with some chicken broth. I saute'd all of the cauliflower in butter. I added shredded chicken. So good! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  11. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (26)Vicky Hopper says

    I also added cream! Can you add that to my original comment?

    Reply

  12. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (27)Peschool Stafford says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (28)
    A really fine looking thick soup. It's definitely packed full of flavor and could never be described as runny.

    Reply

  13. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (29)Jo says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (30)
    Yummy!

    Reply

  14. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (31)Diane says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (32)
    Ghee is not dairy free. It is clairified butter.

    Reply

  15. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (33)Phyllis says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (34)
    Creamy, tasty, excellent!

    Reply

  16. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (35)Michele says

    What is the serving size (to calculate calories)?

    Reply

  17. Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (36)PK says

    Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (37)
    Excellent!...and quick! 👍

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Cauliflower Parmesan Soup [Recipe] (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower soup tasteless? ›

How Do You Fix Bland Cauliflower Soup?
  • Season twice with salt and pepper: You'll start by seasoning the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper before roasting. Then, season again when the roasted florets are combined with broth on the stovetop. ...
  • Add lots of aromatics. ...
  • Finish with lemon.

What is the name of the French soup made from cauliflower? ›

Crème du Barry: Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Called Crème du Barry in France, its name lies in history, like many good French recipes. This easy, rich and creamy soup was named after Madame Jeanne Bécu, comtesse du Barry, a famous French beauty who was the last official mistress of the ill-fated king, Louis XV.

Does Parmesan cheese thicken soup? ›

Lastly, depending on your type of soup, a parmesan rind can offer a slight bit of creamy thickness if added towards the beginning of the cooking process to simmer for a while. Add dairy ingredients when the soup is simmering on low to reduce the chance of curdling.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

This is true of any vegetable — boiling it will give you a flavor closer to the raw flavor, which means more bitterness and more astringency. Caramelizing it will bring out its hidden sweetness. This light, vibrant roasted cauliflower salad is a recipe I developed for the fall menu at Duo.

How do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How do you thicken cauliflower soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

What is the national soup of Italy? ›

Minestrone Soup - National Soup of Italy.

What are the benefits of cauliflower soup? ›

The fiber found in cauliflower helps keep you feeling full and satisfied, maintains healthy digestion, supports gut health, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. At over 2 grams per cup, cauliflower is a good source of fiber, especially insoluble fiber, which helps keep things moving in your digestive system.

Why do you avoid simmering your soup after adding the cheese? ›

Cheese can curdle when added to soup due to the high temperatures and acidity in the soup. The proteins in cheese are sensitive to heat and acid, causing them to separate and form curds.

What happens when you put a Parmesan rind in soup? ›

Throw them in with a sauce, a soup, a stew, or stock and they'll melt (not disintegrate!) releasing just a little extra cheesy, salty flavor into your dish. After the rinds are soft and gooey, their work is done and you can simply toss in the trash knowing that you made the most of them!

Is it safe to put Parmesan rind in soup? ›

Parmesan rind is a protective layer that forms on the cheese as it ages. While it's safe to eat, its commonly discarded because it's hard and difficult to chew. That doesn't mean it isn't full of flavor though! The rinds can be simmered in sauces, soups, and broths, imparting its flavor as it slowly breaks down.

How does Gordon Ramsay make cauliflower soup? ›

Directions
  1. Place the cauliflower florets, potato, and onion in a saucepan with the butter and oil. ...
  2. Add the stock and bring to a boil, then pour in the milk and return gently to a boil. ...
  3. Pour in half the cream, then puree in a food processor or blender, or blend in the pan with an immersion blender.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

What is broccoli and cauliflower together called? ›

Romanesco, also known as broccoflower or Roman cauliflower, is a chartreuse, unique-looking vegetable prized for its appearance and mild flavor. It is sometimes assumed to be a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower but is botanically different (although related).

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

Why does my soup have no flavor? ›

Let the Broth Evaporate and Cook Longer

If your broth tastes thin and bland, you may want to cook and let it evaporate for longer. That helps concentrate its flavors and gives you a better-tasting soup broth. Be sure to remove the lid to let the steam escape.

Why doesn't my soup have flavor? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Start with the basics. Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper.

What to add to flavorless vegetable soup? ›

When I think of vegetable soup, I think of a thin, flat-tasting soup with no fat — aka, no flavor! Here's how we fix that in this Vegetable Soup recipe: Adding a parmesan cheese rind to the simmering soup infuses it with salty, umami flavor. This is SUCH an easy way to add tons of flavor to soup.

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