🥣✨ Ultimate Creamy Vegetable Soup

📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Vegetables

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 2–3 potatoes, diced (Yukon or russet)

• 1 cup broccoli florets

• 1 cup cauliflower florets

• 1 cup zucchini or green beans (optional)

• 1 cup corn or peas (fresh or frozen)

Broth & Seasoning

• 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

• 1 cup water (if needed)

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper to taste

Creamy Base

Choose one:

• 1 cup heavy cream, OR

• 1 cup half-and-half, OR

• 1 cup whole milk + 2 tbsp flour mixed into a slurry, OR

• 1 cup coconut milk (for dairy-free/vegan)

Optional flavor boosters

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• 1 bay leaf

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley

• 1 tsp turmeric (for color)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the aromatics

Heat oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.
Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.

2. Add potatoes and spices

Stir in potatoes, thyme, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cook 1–2 minutes to toast the spices.

3. Add broth & simmer

Pour in the vegetable broth.
Add broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini/beans.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
Simmer 15–20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

4. Add the creamy base

Stir in heavy cream, milk, or coconut milk.
Simmer gently (do NOT boil) for 5 minutes.

5. Blend to desired creaminess

Choose your texture:

• Fully creamy: Blend the entire soup with an immersion blender.

• Half creamy: Blend only half, leaving chunks.

• Chunky creamy: Don’t blend at all.

6. Add finishing touches

Stir in corn or peas.
Add Parmesan or parsley if using.
Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

🌟 Tips for the Perfect Creamy Vegetable Soup

• Potatoes + cauliflower = natural creaminess without much cream.

• Add a splash of lemon juice at the end to brighten flavors.

• For deeper flavor, roast some vegetables before adding!

• For extra thickness, stir in 2–3 tbsp flour with the onions.

🍽️ Variations

Vegan Version

• Use olive oil + coconut milk

• Add nutritional yeast for cheesiness

• Skip Parmesan

Cheesy Version

• Add 1 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère after blending.

Protein Add-ins

• Cooked chicken

• White beans

• Tofu cubes

• Lentils