Creamy Garlic Soup

Featured in Comforting Soups & Hearty Stews.

This rich, silky soup gets its smoothness from pureed cauliflower instead of cream. Roasted garlic and cheddar deliver bold flavor in a lighter dish.

A chef holding a plate of food.
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:06:09 GMT
Creamy soup bowl garnished with cauliflower, green herbs, and a dusting of spices. Pin it
Creamy soup bowl garnished with cauliflower, green herbs, and a dusting of spices. | linacooks.com

Ultra-Silky Cauliflower Soup With No Cream

I've spent ages tweaking this warm, cozy soup that combines oven-roasted cauliflower, an entire bulb of garlic, and tangy cheddar. What's fascinating is how smooth it turns out without any heavy cream or thickeners. It's total comfort in a bowl that's actually good for you.

Why You'll Love This Soup

The way garlic and cauliflower change after roasting is truly wonderful. Throw in some melting cheddar and you get this incredibly smooth texture. And guess what? You don't need any cream at all - the veggies handle everything.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Good Cauliflower: 1 whole head broken into florets
  • Aromatic Garlic: 1 whole head for oven-roasting
  • Flavorful Onion: 1 medium chopped finely
  • Tasty Broth: 4 cups vegetable stock
  • Tangy Cheddar: 1 cup freshly shredded
  • Quality Olive Oil: For cooking and roasting
  • Basic Seasonings: Salt and fresh black pepper
  • Lovely Garnishes: Green onions, additional cheese, croutons or crusty bread

Cooking Instructions

Roast Your Veggies
Place cauliflower on a tray, coat with oil, add salt and pepper. Wrap garlic in foil with a bit of oil. Roast everything at 400°F until golden brown, roughly 30-40 minutes.
Create Your Foundation
Sauté onions in olive oil until they're tender and fragrant.
Blend Everything
Mix your roasted vegetables with broth until completely smooth. Your regular blender or stick blender will work fine.
Introduce The Cheese
Warm it up and mix in the cheddar, letting it melt into a velvety mixture for about 10-15 minutes.
Add Final Touches
Pour into bowls and top with green onions, extra cheese and crunchy bread bits.
A bowl of creamy cauliflower soup topped with cauliflower florets and chopped chives. Pin it
A bowl of creamy cauliflower soup topped with cauliflower florets and chopped chives. | linacooks.com

Customize Your Bowl

  • More Veggies: Add in carrots, celery or leafy greens
  • Hot Kick: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes or add hot sauce
  • Vegan Based: Switch to non-dairy cheese to skip the dairy
  • Super Thick: Cut down on broth for a heartier texture

Storage Tips

  • Quick Storage: Keeps well for 3-4 days in sealed containers in your fridge
  • Later Meals: Can be frozen up to 2-3 months, just let it thaw before heating again

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the secret to smooth soup?

Blend everything completely, working in small amounts if needed. Add liquid gradually to get the thickness you want.

→ How do I make it vegan?

Leave out the cheese. Nutritional yeast makes a great substitute for a cheesy kick. The cauliflower still brings that creamy feel.

→ Why doesn't it need cream?

Blended roasted cauliflower creates natural creaminess all on its own. There's no need for heavy cream.

→ Will freezing ruin the soup?

You can freeze it, but dairy might separate a bit. After thawing, reheat gently and whisk to mix it back together.

→ How do I make it thicker?

Start with less broth and add more gradually until it’s the way you like it.

Garlic Cauliflower Soup

Smooth cauliflower blended with roasted garlic to create a rich soup, finished with tangy cheddar. A comforting bite, no cream added.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 bowls)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 medium onion, chopped small.
02 1 large head of cauliflower, broken into pieces.
03 1 full head of garlic.
04 4 cups of veggie stock.
05 3 tbs olive oil, split.
06 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar.
07 1/2 tsp salt, adjust as needed.
08 Black pepper, as much as you like.
09 Toppings: green onions.
10 More cheddar cheese.
11 Croutons or some toast.

Instructions

Step 01

Set the oven to 400°F. Cover a tray with parchment. Mix cauliflower with some oil. Drizzle garlic with oil, wrap in foil.

Step 02

Bake for 30-35 mins, turning things over halfway. Let garlic cool once done, and roast until the edges turn golden.

Step 03

Warm some oil in a big pot. Cook the onion for around 5-8 mins till soft.

Step 04

Mix the roasted veggies with the broth. Take the roasted garlic, squeeze it in, and blend until it’s totally smooth.

Step 05

Pour soup back into the pot. Stir in the cheese and simmer 10-15 mins. Top with garnish before serving.

Notes

  1. Doesn’t need cream.
  2. Adjust thickness if needed.
  3. Stores nicely in the freezer.
  4. Perfect for cold days.
  5. Creamy texture, no cream.
  6. Great for prepping ahead of time.

Tools You'll Need

  • Sheet tray.
  • Big soup pot.
  • A blender.
  • Foil wrap.
  • Sharp cutting knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Uses dairy (cheese).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 268
  • Total Fat: 21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 13 g
  • Protein: 10 g