Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup

Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup is a warm, comforting dish that combines the mild flavors of cauliflower and white beans with a rich, velvety texture. This soup is naturally creamy (without the need for heavy cream), thanks to pureed cauliflower and beans, creating a nutritious, satisfying bowl of goodness. It’s perfect for cozy nights, as a light lunch, or even as a starter for dinner. Plus, it’s packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins, making it a healthy choice for any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Creamy and satisfying: Despite being dairy-free, this soup is incredibly creamy and velvety, thanks to the cauliflower and white beans.

  • Nutritious and wholesome: Packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins, this soup is as healthy as it is comforting.

  • Easy to make: With minimal ingredients and a simple process, this soup comes together quickly and easily.

  • Perfect for meal prep: It keeps well in the fridge for several days, making it ideal for meal prepping.

  • Versatile: You can easily adjust the flavors, add extra veggies, or add toppings like fresh herbs, croutons, or a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into florets

  • 1 can (15 oz) white beans (such as cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any non-dairy milk, or regular milk if preferred)

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional for extra flavor)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.

  2. Cook the cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help develop the flavor of the cauliflower before adding the liquid.

  3. Add the liquids and seasonings: Pour in the vegetable broth and almond milk. Stir in the dried thyme, cumin (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

  4. Add the white beans: Stir in the white beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the beans to heat through.

  5. Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as-is for added texture.

  6. Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or thyme, as needed.

  7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or chives, and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: This recipe makes about 4 servings.

  • Preparation time: 10 minutes

  • Cook time: 25-30 minutes

  • Total time: 35-40 minutes

Variations

  • Add extra veggies: You can add other vegetables such as carrots, celery, or zucchini to the soup for added nutrition and flavor.

  • Add greens: Stir in spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes of cooking for a pop of color and extra vitamins.

  • For added richness: Drizzle with a little extra olive oil or swirl in a spoonful of tahini for extra creaminess.

  • Spicy version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño for a little heat.

  • Add a topping: Top with roasted chickpeas, croutons, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for an extra crunch and flavor.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It may thicken slightly as it sits, so you can add more broth or milk to reach your desired consistency when reheating.

  • Freezing: This soup freezes well! Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it on the stove.

Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup

FAQs

Can I use frozen cauliflower instead of fresh?

Yes! Frozen cauliflower works just as well in this recipe. There’s no need to thaw it first; just add it to the pot and cook as directed.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Sauté the onion and garlic first, then add everything else to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the cauliflower is tender. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup.

Can I make this soup with other beans?

Yes, you can swap out the white beans for other types of beans, such as chickpeas or navy beans, depending on your preference.

Is this soup vegan?

Yes, this soup is vegan if you use non-dairy milk and vegetable broth.

Can I use a regular blender instead of an immersion blender?

Absolutely! Just be careful when blending hot liquids. Let the soup cool slightly before transferring it in batches to the blender. Blend until smooth, then return the soup to the pot.

Conclusion

Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup is a comforting, creamy, and nutritious dish that’s perfect for warming up on chilly days. With its smooth texture, rich flavor, and healthy ingredients, this soup is the ideal choice for a light lunch or a cozy dinner. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, it’s as filling as it is satisfying. Whether you make it for a weeknight meal or serve it as a starter for a dinner party, this soup is sure to become a favorite!

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Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup

Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup

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Creamy Cauliflower White Bean Soup is a rich, velvety soup made from pureed cauliflower and white beans, offering a creamy texture without dairy. It’s a healthy, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or cozy dinner.

  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into florets

1 can (15 oz) white beans (such as cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any non-dairy milk, or regular milk)

1 teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  2. Add cauliflower florets to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Pour in vegetable broth and almond milk, stir in dried thyme, cumin (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until cauliflower is tender.
  4. Add white beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth and creamy. For a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with parsley or chives, and serve.

Notes

Add extra veggies like carrots, celery, or zucchini for more nutrition.

For added richness, swirl in a spoonful of tahini or drizzle with olive oil.

For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño.

Top with roasted chickpeas or croutons for extra texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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