Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup (Printable Version)

Creamy vegetable soup with tender cauliflower, broccoli, and crispy homemade croutons. Ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll 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 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Liquids

08 - 5 cups vegetable stock
09 - 3/4 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon salt
14 - Pinch of nutmeg

→ Croutons

15 - 2 cups day-old bread, cut into cubes
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F for croutons.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add diced potato, cauliflower florets, and broccoli florets. Sauté for 3 minutes.
04 - Pour in vegetable stock. Add dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
05 - Toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
06 - Remove pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to blend soup until smooth, or blend in batches using a countertop blender.
07 - Stir in milk and gently reheat soup. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top generously with homemade croutons.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns random vegetables into something that tastes intentional and cozy.
  • The homemade croutons add a crunch that makes every spoonful feel complete.
  • You can blend it smooth or leave it chunky, depending on your mood.
  • It reheats beautifully, so leftovers actually get better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip the potato, it's what makes the soup creamy without needing heavy cream or a roux.
  • If you're blending hot soup in a countertop blender, remove the center cap and cover with a towel to let steam escape, otherwise it can explode out the top.
  • Day-old bread really does make better croutons, fresh bread can turn chewy instead of crisp.
03 -
  • Roast the cauliflower and broccoli for 15 minutes before adding them to the pot for a deeper, sweeter flavor.
  • A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving brightens the whole bowl and balances the creaminess.
  • If you want it extra velvety, strain the soup through a fine mesh sieve after blending, though I never bother.
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