Carrot and cheese soup is a creamy and flavorful soup that is perfect for a chilly evening or a comforting lunch. This soup combines the sweetness of carrots with the creaminess of cheese to create a dish that is both nutritious and delicious.
How To Make:
To make carrot and cheese soup, you will need a few simple ingredients such as carrots, onion, garlic, chicken or vegetable broth, and cheese. You can use any type of cheese that you like, but cheddar, Gouda, or Parmesan are great choices for this recipe.
To start, sauté some chopped onions and garlic in a large pot until they are soft and translucent. Add the chopped carrots and cook them for a few minutes until they start to soften. Bring the mixture to a boil after adding the chicken or veggie broth. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes until the carrots are tender.
Once the carrots are cooked, use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender and puree it until it is smooth and creamy. Return the soup to the pot and add the cheese, stirring until it is melted and well combined. If the soup is too thick, you can add some milk or cream to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and serve it hot, garnished with some chopped parsley or chives. You can also add some croutons or bread on the side for a satisfying meal.
Tips and Variations:
Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: When making soup, it's always best to use fresh ingredients that are in season. This will ensure that the flavors are more vibrant and the soup is more nutritious.
Add more vegetables: You can add other vegetables to the soup, such as celery or potatoes, to increase the nutritional value and add more flavor. Just sauté them along with the onions and garlic before adding the carrots.
Use different types of cheese: While cheddar, Gouda, or Parmesan are great choices, you can also use other types of cheese, such as blue cheese or goat cheese, for a different flavor.
Make it spicy: Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the soup to give it a little kick.
Top it off: Garnish the soup with some croutons, sour creams, or chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, for extra texture and flavor.
Make it vegan: You can make this soup vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and using a vegan cheese substitute.
Use a slow cooker: You can also make this soup in a slow cooker by sautéing the onions and garlic in a pan, then transfer them along with the chopped carrots and broth to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, then add the cheese and blend until smooth.
Freeze for later: This soup is freezer-friendly and can be stored in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and reheat when ready to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or chives, croutons or bread
Instructions:
In a sizable pot set over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and garlic and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the chopped carrots to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes until the carrots are tender.
Once the carrots are cooked, use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender and puree it until it is smooth and creamy.
After adding the shredded cheddar cheese and re-entering the soup into the saucepan, stir until everything is well combined and melted.
If the soup is too thick, you can add some milk or cream to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the soup hot, garnished with some chopped parsley or chives, and with some croutons or bread on the side if desired.
That's it! You now have a delicious and comforting bowl of carrot and cheese soup ready to enjoy.