Pioneer Woman Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

This delicious and creamy Pioneer Woman Cheesy Cauliflower Soup is the perfect comfort food for any day. Quick and easy to make, it’s packed with flavor from crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a smooth, rich texture. You can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients for a truly satisfying meal!

Ingredients Needed

• 4 slices thin bacon, cut into small bits
• 1 whole white onion, finely diced
• 1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
• 1/2 tsp. Cajun spice, more to taste
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 quarts low sodium chicken broth (8 cups)
• 1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, more to taste
• 2 tbsp. minced parsley
• Salt, as needed

How To Make Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large pot, fry the bacon pieces over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon bits and drain on a paper towel. Discard the bacon grease, leaving the bacon bits to the side.
2. Cook the Onion and Cauliflower: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the cauliflower florets, Cajun spice, and black pepper. Stir and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the cauliflower starts turning golden brown.
3. Add the Chicken Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender.
4. Blend the Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup slightly or fully, depending on your preference. If using a regular blender, transfer the soup in batches (don’t overfill the blender).
5. Prepare the White Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to form a paste. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the half-and-half.
6. Combine the Sauce and Soup: Add the white sauce to the soup and bring it back to a boil over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sour cream and grated cheese until fully melted.
7. Finish and Serve: Stir in the minced parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional Cajun spice if needed. Serve with extra cheese, crispy bacon bits, and a sprinkle of parsley.

Recipe Tips

• Use Fresh Cauliflower: For the best flavor and texture, make sure to use fresh cauliflower. Frozen cauliflower can become mushy and watery when cooked.
• Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add more Cajun spice or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for an extra heat boost.
• Blend to Your Preference: For a chunkier soup, blend only half of the soup and leave some cauliflower pieces whole. If you like it smooth, blend it all.
• Melt Cheese Gradually: To avoid clumps, add the cheese in small handfuls, stirring constantly to ensure it melts evenly into the soup.
• Add Extra Creaminess: For an even richer soup, add a little extra half-and-half or a splash of heavy cream in place of some of the milk.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Put leftovers cheesy cauliflower soup in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze leftovers cheesy cauliflower soup in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or microwave until hot, adding a little milk if it gets too thick.
• Reheating: Reheat leftovers cheesy cauliflower soup on the stove over low heat for 5-10 minutes or microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway. Add milk if too thick.

Nutrition Fact

Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240 grams)

• Calories: 300
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 60mg
• Sodium: 800mg
• Potassium: 400mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 15g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 10g

More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Sausage, Potato, And Kale Soup
• Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
• Pioneer Woman Creamy Beef Taco Soup
• Pioneer Woman​ Meatball Soup
• Pioneer Woman Minestrone Soup​