This roasted cauliflower leek soup with cheddar is rich in savoury flavour and super creamy (without using cream). Plus, it’s hearty enough to be substantial for lunch or dinner. Don’t forget those buttery croutons on top!
It’s been crazy cold here lately. Like, freeze your buns off.
Bundle up in the warmest jacket.
Throw the hugest scarf around your neck.
Consume what seems like a thousand cups of hot tea. Feel me?
Naturally, I’ve been making and enjoying a lot of soup. Soup is one of my favourite things to make.
This cauliflower leek soup has some pretty simple ingredients, nothing complicated at all, but tastes absolutely amazing!
What gives it an awesome flavour? Well, there’s cheese, of course (if you read this blog, you pretty much know that cheese is my middle name). Leeks are pretty awesome too.
Then there’s roasted cauliflower. I mean, sure, you can go ahead and just boil the cauliflower, but it wouldn’t taste the same. Roasting gives it another element of flavour and when you are working with so few ingredients you want them to shine.
How To Chop and Clean Leeks
Leeks are part of the onion family and have a mild onion flavour.
Though they add a lovely flavour to recipes, leeks can be oh-so-dirty. Lots of times as they grow, dirt/soil gets in between all those layers. Obviously, that needs to go before using a leek in any recipe.
How do you chop and clean leeks? It’s easy!
Firstly, place the leek on a cutting board.
Secondly, carefully cut down the centre of the leek with a knife.
Cut the root part off (at the bottom) and the tough (super green) top part (about an inch or so). Then thinly slice the leek.
Place chopped leek in a strainer to thoroughly wash/drain and then use in the recipe.
Tips for Making This Cauliflower Leek Soup
- You can either use parchment paper on your sheet pan when roasting the cauliflower or not. Keep in mind, though, that parchment paper will make cleanup a little easier. Though, I didn’t use it here. You do you!
- For an even richer taste, you can add half-and-half or heavy cream to this soup instead of whole milk. Whole milk Greek yogurt is lovely too.
- Ensure that the cauliflower florets are spaced out enough on your sheet pan so they roast and not steam (which they will do if the pan is too full). If you need to, use a couple of sheet pans to roast the cauliflower.
- The cheddar cheese is stirred into the soup with a spoon, not blended with an immersion blender.
Garnish Ideas
To garnish or not to garnish, it’s totally up to you! Here are some toppings I enjoy:
- Chives or green onion
- Homemade croutons
- Crisped crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Crumbled goat cheese
- Drizzle of olive oil (garlic flavoured would be lovely)
More Easy Soup Recipes
- Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Soup
- Red Pepper Tomato Soup With Fennel
- Asparagus Soup With Spinach and Lemon
- Homemade Chicken Soup With Spinach and Dill
If you make this creamy cauliflower leek soup, be sure to leave a comment below!
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Leek Soup with Cheddar
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets (approximately 1.5 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 leeks, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thinly into half moons (white, light green and tender darker green parts only, not the tougher dark green part). Rinse well and drain before using as leek can contain debris/dirt between the layers.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth, or low sodium chicken broth if you don't need this to be vegetarian
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Croutons
- Chopped chives
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss cauliflower florets with 1 tablespoon oil, ¼ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper (or you can toss the florets with the oil, salt and black pepper directly on the sheet pan).
- Spread cauliflower florets out onto a sheet pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway. Carefully remove from the oven and set aside for use shortly.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add leeks and remaining ¾ teaspoon of salt and remaining ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook, stirring every so often, for about 10 minutes.
- Add garlic and thyme to leeks, stirring in, and cook 1 minute.
- To leek mixture, add roasted cauliflower florets and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat (to about medium-low heat) to a simmer. Cover ajar and cook 15 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.
- Pour in milk. Blend again. If you want a looser or thinner soup, you can add a little more broth and heat through.
- Stir in cheddar cheese (slowly, in batches) with a spoon until distributed throughout the soup.
- To serve, divide the soup into bowls and garnish (as desired) with any of the garnish ideas. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Holly
This soup is just what I need as I look out onto the snow that fell yesterday. Nothing like a warm and hearty soup to get through these cold winter days!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thanks Holly! Stay warm 🙂
mimi rippee
This is really lovely. Typical one chooses potatoes and leeks, but cauliflower and leeks sound downright perfect! Lovely photos.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much Mimi 🙂 It’s a yummy combo.
Vanessa | Zest & Simmer
I could eat a whole pot of this soup! Cauliflower soup is one I really love, and the addition of leek to this is perfect. Can’t wait to try it!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Vanessa! Hope you love it 🙂
Kevin
Now if this soup doesn’t warm a person up, not sure what would!?! This soup looks so warm and cozy just like your serving bowls!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much Kevin!
Chef Sous Chef
I love the additional flavour you get from roasting the cauliflower. A perfect soup for winter days!
Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks guys 🙂
[email protected]
I am a bonified soup crazy person and I cannot wait to try your Super Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Leek Soup, Dawn. I make soup all year around – I cannot help myself! This looks so delicious! I cannot wait to try it.
Girl Heart Food
I do too! Love soup! Thank you Denise 🙂 Hope you love it!
Marissa
We’re flying home tomorrow and have snow in the forecast for a week! We clearly need to make this comforting soup. All of the flavors have my mouth watering!!
Girl Heart Food
You sure do 😉 Thanks Marissa!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Snow is headed our way tomorrow Dawn, so this soup would totally fit the bill! And cauliflower is one of my faves! On the menu here soon! Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
It sure would! Thanks Mary Ann!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
January and February haven’t been too bad here, but it’s been extremely cold for the last couple of days too. Besides low temperatures, we’ve got strong winds and some kind of humidity in the air – things that make any cold weather basically unbearable. Decision? Soup. Correction: A lot of soup! This delicious vegetable soup with the addition of cheddar is what the doctor ordered!
Girl Heart Food
I hear ya about the wind and damp air. Ugh! Thanks Ben! Stay warm 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Aaah SO cold right!? I’ve basically been living in my blanket scarf these days. You and I are on the same wavelength with cozy soups! I LOVE cauliflower, and I don’t use leeks enough. I’m definitely going to try this one!! Have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
I know, I know!! Hope you love it! Thanks Katherine 🙂 You too!
Haylie Abele
I love using leeks! They’re so packed with flavor! This soup looks SO super creamy. I’d love a big bowl of this while I’m snuggled up under a blanket. It’s been chilly here as well…although last week we had 75 degree weather. Ugh, only in the South. Cheers to Spring!
Girl Heart Food
They sure are! Thank you Haylie. Hope you’re having a great week so far 🙂
Elaine
Smooth and creamy–this soup is pure velvet! Love that you suggest roasting the cauliflower first. It really does make a difference to the flavour, doesn’t it! Thanks for a great recipe.
Girl Heart Food
It really does! Thank you Elaine! Happy you like it 🙂
Laura
Dawn – what a lovely soup! I love anything with cauliflower, and so agree, it is way better roasted than boiled! Totally different veggie. This soups looks and sounds amazing and so warming. Perfect given we have about 10” snow today!
Girl Heart Food
I love it too! Thank you Laura! This soup will surely warm ya up 🙂
[email protected]
Syracuse has had its fair share of snow this year, however, we’re in 3rd place (not the typical 1st place for the US behind Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA!)… But with 71 inches of snow, still, soup is at the top of our list for cozy dining! This recipe’s a keeper, my friend! Happy Monday, dear! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! Stay warm, my friend. XOXO
Kelly | Foodtasia
Dawn, such a lovely soup! I love the cheese – Yay! Roasting really brings out the flavor, doesn’t it? Soups are so cozy this time of year – and they’re so yummy. Your warm and cozy bowls are so cute! Have a great week, my friend!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thank you so much, Kelly! You too 🙂
David @ Spiced
So we just finished the move this past weekend, and cold is an understatement! If I ever have the genius idea to move in the middle of the winter again, remind me not to. As in, shake me, punch me, kidnap me until summer. 🙂 They’re calling for 12″+ snow tomorrow, so I’m thinking a pot of soup is in order. First job, though: find the soup pot. I swear it’s in the kitchen somewhere! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
I hear ya! We moved one year in December right before Christmas! Eeeeeek! Hope you get all settled in your new home soon, David. Thanks so much 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
That is a beautiful bowl of comfort! Love that you roasted the cauliflower too, for extra flavour. Just what I need right now 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jennifer! Roasted really adds a nice element of flavour 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
We are on the same page with the soup today Dawn! It’s been so cold and windy here these past few days, I just want to wrap myself in a blanket and eat soup until April! This one looks particularly cozy. Love the flavour that leeks add to soup, and cauliflower is just the best. So creamy! Happy Monday Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thank you Leanne! Same to you 🙂
Valentina
“Warm & Cozy” is right! Sounds so delicious and comforting. Love the helpful tips for working with leeks, and the photos of them are so pretty. Simple beauty.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Valentina!! Appreciate that!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I’m definitely going to try this! I LOVE cauliflower and leeks both, and I love a good bowl of soup. I have a feeling this will become a new favorite :). Have a great week, Dawn! And stay warm!
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Hope you love it as much as we do! Thanks Kelsie…have a great week and stay warm too 🙂
Milena
Would love a bowl of this creamy goodness infused with the flavor or roasted cauliflower! BTW I love how you spell ‘savoury flavour’ – I learned British spelling first and it was hard to adjust to American. When I read Canadians’ writing it always feels classier:) As to the cold – same here – after an almost spring like January we finally got cold weather and it has been haaard to survive! Cauliflower leek soup is rightfully in order!
Girl Heart Food
Lol…thanks! There are a lot of words the Canadians spell like that – favourite, colour, etc. Hope you stay warm, my friend. Thanks for the kind comment!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
We’ve had a fairly mild winter until this week! The cold temps and wind finally hit. It’s nothing compared to what you’ve been getting, but enough to make me crave warm cozy foods! This soup is just what I’m needing! Stay warm!!!
Girl Heart Food
It’s a good one! Thank you Kathy! Hope you’re having a great weekend.