Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup (Printable)

Creamy vegetable soup with cauliflower, broccoli, herbs, and golden croutons. Comfort in a bowl for chilly days.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, diced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 cup milk or unsweetened plant-based milk

→ Spices and Seasoning

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Croutons

13 - 2 cups cubed crusty bread
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
16 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Toppings

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
18 - Grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crisp. Set aside.
02 - In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried oregano; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in cauliflower and broccoli florets; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 to 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to blend soup until smooth and creamy, or blend in batches using a stand blender.
07 - Stir in milk and season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently reheat if needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with croutons, fresh parsley, and cheese if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely creamy without cream: The natural starch from the vegetables does most of the heavy lifting, so you get silky richness without the heaviness.
  • Ready in under an hour: Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something nourishing but don't have all evening.
  • Endlessly adaptable: Vegetarian base means you can customize it for any dietary preference at the table.
02 -
  • Don't skip blending: The soup needs that complete blending to develop its silky texture; partial blending leaves it grainy and less satisfying.
  • Taste before you serve: Vegetable broth varies wildly in salt content, so always adjust your seasoning at the end rather than early in cooking.
  • Cold bread makes better croutons: Day-old or slightly stale bread will crisp up properly instead of staying chewy in the middle.
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables evenly: They'll cook at the same rate, ensuring nothing gets mushy while other pieces are still firm.
  • Don't rush the sauté: Those first 5 minutes of cooking your onion, celery, and carrots develop flavors that the entire soup depends on.
  • Taste and adjust: Seasoning is personal; trust your palate more than any recipe instruction.
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