Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable Version)

Creamy chowder with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and melted cheese. Comforting and ready in 45 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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, plus more to taste

→ Thickener

15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

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 continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
04 - Add the potatoes and cauliflower florets. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–18 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 for textural contrast.
07 - Stir in the cheese until completely melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish as desired with parsley, additional cheese, or red pepper flakes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour, leaving you with the kind of cozy dinner that tastes like it took all day.
  • The partial blending creates this dreamy creaminess without heavy cream, so you feel good about what you're eating.
  • Cauliflower becomes genuinely delicious here instead of just playing a supporting role.
02 -
  • Whisking the broth in gradually is non-negotiable—I learned this the hard way when lumps turned my elegant soup into something that looked unfortunate, and no amount of straining fixes it.
  • Don't skip the partial blending step; it's what transforms this from basic vegetable soup into something creamy and luxurious without needing heavy cream.
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables roughly the same size so they finish cooking at the same moment—this small detail changes everything about the final texture.
  • Taste before serving and adjust salt aggressively; seasoning is the difference between good soup and soup people ask you to make again.
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