Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe

If you’ve ever wished for a soup that feels like a warm, comforting hug in a bowl with a gourmet twist, then you’re absolutely going to fall in love with this Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe. It’s a velvety, cheesy, and aromatic soup that highlights the natural sweetness of roasted cauliflower and garlic, enriched by the sharp, nutty depth of Asiago cheese. Whether you’re cozying up on a chilly evening or looking to wow guests with something special yet simple, this soup delivers every time with layers of flavor that are both comforting and sophisticated.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients for this soup is wonderfully straightforward. Each item plays a crucial role in building the depth, texture, and color that make this recipe shine. From the creamy cauliflower base to the melt-in-your-mouth Asiago and the subtle citrus lifts, these essentials come together beautifully.

  • Cauliflower florets: The star vegetable that creates a creamy, hearty texture once roasted and pureed.
  • Olive oil: Used for roasting and sautéing to bring out a rich, golden flavor in the veggies.
  • Garlic heads: Roasting whole garlic softens its punch to a sweet, mellow delight that infuses the soup.
  • Onion (diced): Builds savory depth with every sautéed bite.
  • Fresh thyme: A fragrant herb that adds an earthy brightness.
  • Vegetable or chicken broth: The liquid foundation that carries all the flavors together.
  • White miso paste (optional): Adds a subtle umami boost for an even richer mouthfeel.
  • Asiago cheese (grated): Provides a gorgeous, sharp creaminess that melts perfectly into the soup.
  • Lemon juice and zest: The citrus notes brighten and balance the richness.
  • Quinoa (raw): For a little added texture and nutrition.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: The base for a crunchy topping that adds delightful contrast.
  • White and black sesame seeds: Toasted to nutty perfection for texture and visual appeal.
  • Chia seeds: A fun, healthy crunch in the crunchy topping mix.
  • Fresh parsley: Chopped to bring a lightly fresh, herbal finish.
  • Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance all the natural flavors.

How to Make Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Cauliflower and Garlic

First things first, tossing the cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper helps them caramelize beautifully in the oven. Roasting garlic whole wrapped in foil gives you those soft, sweet cloves that will melt effortlessly into the soup. Baking them together on one sheet ensures their flavors mingle, and the cauliflower takes on a tender, lightly golden finish that’s full of character.

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Thyme

While the cauliflower and garlic are roasting, gently sauté diced onion in olive oil until translucent and fragrant. Adding fresh thyme at this stage infuses the base with an herbaceous warmth that hints at the layers of flavor to come. This simple step creates a savory backbone for your soup.

Step 3: Combine and Simmer

Pour in your choice of vegetable or chicken broth, then add the roasted cauliflower and garlic. Bringing this mixture to a boil breaks down the vegetables further, helping to meld all flavors during a gentle simmer. This step softens every bite into a cohesive, delicious whole in just about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Puree the Soup

Once simmered to perfection, blend the mixture using a stick blender or transfer to a regular blender in batches. The goal is a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture with no lumps or chunks interrupting that velvety mouthfeel. This is where your soup transforms into something really special.

Step 5: Finish with Asiago, Miso, and Lemon

Stir in the miso paste if you’re using it – this little ingredient deepens the umami. Then add grated Asiago cheese and lemon juice, heating gently until the cheese melts completely and the soup transforms into a creamy, tangy delight full of savory richness balanced by bright acidity.

Step 6: Prepare the Crunchy Topping

Mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Asiago, lemon zest, parsley, and your seeds for a topping that adds texture and pops of flavor. This topping contrasts perfectly with the silky soup, making every spoonful exciting and layered.

How to Serve Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Fresh parsley and lemon zest sprinkled on top not only brighten the soup visually but also add a fresh zip that keeps the flavors lively from first sip to last drop. A final dusting of Asiago can also heighten the cheesiness just before serving.

Side Dishes

Serve this soup alongside crusty artisan bread to soak up every last drop or a simple mixed green salad for a balanced meal. Roasted vegetable sides or even a light quinoa pilaf echo the hearty textures and flavors perfectly without overpowering.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this soup in rustic bread bowls for an eye-catching centerpiece, or drizzle with a little high-quality olive oil and a few toasted seeds for a gourmet touch. Layering in the crunchy topping tableside lets guests customize their experience, making each bowl feel personal and pampering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually intensify overnight, so it’s perfect for cooking ahead on busy days.

Freezing

If you want to store soup longer, freeze it in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Notice that the creamy texture remains smooth when thawed properly, so it’s a fantastic make-ahead option to enjoy anytime.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent cheese from separating. You can also microwave leftovers in short bursts, stirring in between to keep that rich creaminess intact.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought roasted garlic instead of roasting whole heads?

While you can substitute with pre-roasted garlic cloves or garlic paste, roasting whole cloves yourself really brings out the mellow sweetness and depth that makes this soup so incredible. It’s worth the little extra effort.

Is the white miso paste necessary for the recipe?

Miso paste is optional but highly recommended if you want that extra umami complexity. Without it, the soup is still delicious but will be a bit lighter in flavor.

Can I make this soup vegan?

Absolutely! Skip the Asiago cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese alternative. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor, and the soup maintains its creamy texture without dairy.

What if I don’t have fresh thyme?

Dried thyme works well too—just reduce the amount by half as it’s more concentrated. Thyme’s earthy aroma adds a lovely herbal note, but if you’re out, rosemary or sage can be interesting substitutions.

Can I use other cheeses instead of Asiago?

Asiago has a unique sharpness and nuttiness, but Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano can work as substitutes. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will shift slightly, but the creamy cheese element remains.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend trying this Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe enough—it’s one of those rare dishes that feels fancy yet totally doable on any weeknight. The rich, creamy texture combined with roasted sweetness and that irresistible cheesy finish makes it a new classic in my kitchen. Give it a go and watch it become a fast favorite in yours too!

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Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe

Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 34 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender roasted cauliflower and caramelized garlic with tangy Asiago cheese. Enhanced by fresh thyme, lemon juice, and a crunchy seed and breadcrumb topping, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures in under 45 minutes. Ideal for a cozy meal, this soup is both nourishing and elegantly simple.


Ingredients

Soup

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 24 heads garlic
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil (for roasting garlic)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon white miso paste (optional)
  • ½ cup Asiago cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Crunchy Topping

  • 1 tablespoon quinoa (raw)
  • 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tablespoon white sesame seeds
  • ½ tablespoon black sesame seeds
  • ½ tablespoon chia seeds
  • ¼ cup Asiago cheese, grated
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped


Instructions

  1. Roast the Cauliflower and Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cauliflower florets in 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Cut the top quarter off garlic heads, drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil, wrap in foil, and place alongside cauliflower on the baking sheet. Roast for 20-30 minutes until cauliflower is tender and golden, stirring halfway through. Cool garlic slightly, then squeeze roasted cloves from skins.
  2. Sauté Onion and Thyme: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in fresh thyme and cook another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add Broth and Roasted Ingredients: Pour in 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth. Add roasted cauliflower and roasted garlic cloves to the pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  4. Puree the Soup: Using an immersion stick blender or transferring carefully to a regular blender, puree soup until smooth and creamy.
  5. Finish the Soup: Stir in optional white miso paste, grated Asiago cheese, and lemon juice. Heat gently, stirring until cheese fully melts and soup is creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Prepare the Crunchy Topping: In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast raw quinoa until lightly puffed and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and combine with panko breadcrumbs, white and black sesame seeds, chia seeds, grated Asiago, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls. Optionally, garnish with extra parsley and lemon zest for brightness. Sprinkle the crunchy seed mixture on top for added texture and flavor. Enjoy warm.

Notes

  • Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and adds sweetness to the soup.
  • Using a stick blender inside the pot makes pureeing easier and less messy.
  • White miso paste is optional but adds an umami depth to the soup.
  • The crunchy topping provides a delightful contrast to the creamy soup.
  • This soup can be made vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth and omitting the cheese or using vegan cheese alternatives.
  • Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently on stovetop.

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