Description
This Easy Roasted Garlic Soup is a comforting and creamy dish perfect for chilly days. Featuring roasted potatoes, shallots, and garlic cloves blended into a smooth soup, it offers rich flavors enhanced by herbs and a hint of cream. Garnished with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and fresh herbs, it pairs wonderfully with a warm baguette for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 medium waxy potatoes (about 1 kg), peeled and diced
- 2 shallots, peeled and halved
- 5 heads garlic, cut the tops off
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 3 cups (750 ml) chicken or vegetable broth (or more to desired consistency)
- 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream / double cream
For Garnish
- Crispy bacon or pancetta, crumbled
- Grated or shredded mild cheddar cheese
- Chopped parsley, dill, or chives
- Fresh baguette
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables: Place the diced potatoes, halved shallots, and garlic heads on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arranging them evenly.
- Season and Oil: Drizzle generously with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and rosemary to impart flavor during roasting.
- Roast Vegetables: Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, then cover the vegetables with kitchen foil and roast for an additional 15-25 minutes until potatoes are tender and garlic is soft and golden.
- Transfer and Squeeze Garlic: Move the roasted vegetables to a large pot, and carefully squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of their skins into the pot.
- Add Broth and Cream: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth along with the heavy cream or double cream, preparing for blending.
- Blend Soup: Using a hand blender, blend the hot vegetables and liquids until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, use a food processor or blender, then return the soup to the pot.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired to balance flavors.
- Warm Soup: Gently warm the blended soup on the stove over medium heat to ensure it’s served hot.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls, then garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, crumbled crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately with fresh baguette on the side for a complete and delicious meal.
Notes
- Use waxy potatoes such as Yukon Gold for the best texture.
- Roasting garlic mellows its flavor, giving the soup a sweet, rich taste.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit bacon.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
- The soup can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- Fresh herbs add brightness—try mixing parsley and chives for varied flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
