Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable version)

Creamy chowder with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and cheddar cheese. Comforting and easy to make in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced

→ Dairy

07 - 2 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids

10 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjusted to taste

→ Thickener

15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

→ Garnish

16 - Chopped fresh parsley
17 - Extra grated cheese
18 - Crushed red pepper flakes

# How To Make:

01 - In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
03 - Gradually add the vegetable broth, whisking to avoid lumps.
04 - Add the potatoes and cauliflower florets. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
05 - Stir in the milk, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
06 - Using an immersion blender, blend part of the chowder for a creamier texture, leaving some vegetables chunky.
07 - Stir in the cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It uses simple vegetables you probably already have and turns them into something that tastes much fancier than the effort required.
  • The texture is creamy and rich without being heavy, and you can adjust the blending to your exact preference.
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can make it on a weeknight and still have time to sit down and enjoy it.
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of cooking the flour with the vegetables, or the soup will taste starchy and raw instead of smooth and rich.
  • Blend only part of the chowder unless you want it completely smooth, because the chunky vegetables give it the texture that makes it feel like a real chowder.
  • If you are using plant-based milk, choose one that is unsweetened and unflavored, or the soup will taste oddly sweet.
03 -
  • Cut the cauliflower and potatoes into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly and you do not end up with some vegetables turning to mush while others stay hard.
  • Taste the soup after you add the cheese, because cheddar can be salty and you might not need as much additional salt as you think.
  • If the chowder gets too thick, thin it out with a little extra broth or milk instead of water, which can make it taste diluted.
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