Nothing beats a hearty bowl of soup, and this broccoli and cauliflower soup is definitely a favorite in my house. I added cauliflower for extra creaminess and nutrition, and the base of carrots, celery and onion really layer on the flavor. This vegetarian soup recipe is so comforting because I serve it with a big slice of toast slathered in butter. These two just go together so well! Soup can also be made a bit ahead of company coming and left to simmer gently so it is ready when you are (making it the easiest vegetarian dinner idea…ever?). It always makes a lot and leftovers heat up so well, that I love making a big pot on the weekend to last me a few days. P.S. looking for more comfort to add to your vegetarian dinner soup ideas lineup? Try:
Nutritious mung bean soup for something new Nourishing avocado soup for something refreshing Slow cooker cauliflower soup for something easy
Ingredients for Broccoli Cauliflower Soup
The ingredient list might look a little long, but it’s all straightforward ingredients to make a big ‘ol batch of creamy broccoli soup.
Broccoli: The star ingredient! Broccoli is nutrient-packed and affordable, making it the perfect soup filler. Cauliflower: Broccoli and cauliflower are the perfect pair, and low calorie cauliflower adds creaminess when blended. Flavor Veggies: Mirepoix is a fancy French word for flavorful veggie base. Today, our mirepoix is diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic! Butter & Flour: These work together to thicken the soup. It’s basically a roux even though you won’t see that classic roux paste coming together. Veggie Broth: All soup needs liquid, and vegetable broth adds so much flavor. Shredded Cheese: What’s cheese soup without….cheese? Sharp cheddar is a great addition. Dijon Mustard: It may sound weird, but mustard just adds that little something to any sort of cheesy dish.
How to make Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup
Once you know how to make this soup, you will be prepared to make any sort of vegetarian soup you’d like! The steps for this 30-minute soup recipe are the same as far as how to turn fresh produce into a soup (creamy or not) so follow along with these easy steps! Step 1: Flavor BaseThis is how we set the stage for a really flavorful soup. Small chopped veggies are sauteed in a bit of fat (butter and/or olive oil) until they begin to soften and release their flavors. Step 2: SoupifyNext up, flour. Stir in the flour to coat these veggies first. The flour + fat from step one is what will thicken your soup. Then add the broccoli and cauliflower and cover with broth. Simmer until broccoli and cauliflower are tender. Step 3: BlendUse a slotted spoon to scoop out about half the veggies. These will make the soup visually interesting! The rest of the pot is what will be pureed. You can use an immersion blender or full size blender. After blending, put everything, puree and solids, back in the pot. Step 4: FinishFinally, let’s wrap it up by stirring in cheese and a taste of Dijon mustard. This is also where you can check for seasoning. You may find it needs some salt here, depending on how salty your broth is.
Recipe tips
Size Matters: Chop your broccoli and cauliflower to fit on a spoon. While some of the soup gets blended, the rest will remain whole so you don’t want them to be too large. Finely Milled: Gluten-free? Use your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour blend in the roux and you’ll still have great results. Other Allergens: Dairy-free or vegan? Feel free to use coconut oil and dairy-free shredded cheese in this recipe.
Comfort in a Bowl
Nothing beats a steaming bowl of soup, but the side dishes can really bring the meal together.
Vegan Garlic Bread can up the ante from just plain toast. Make Your Own Croutons to top the soup and add texture. Vegetarian Wedge Salad is the perfect cool beginning before warming up with soup.
