Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable Version)

Creamy vegetarian chowder with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and cheddar cheese. Ready 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 and 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

# Cooking Steps:

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 tastes indulgent but is surprisingly wholesome, with vegetables doing most of the heavy lifting.
  • You can make it dairy-free or keep it cheesy without losing that cozy, stick-to-your-ribs feeling.
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means comfort food on a weeknight is completely doable.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to settle in together.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking the flour with the butter, or your chowder might taste pasty and lack that smooth, velvety body.
  • Blend only part of the soup, not all of it, because the chunky vegetables are what make this feel like real chowder instead of just pureed soup.
  • Add the cheese off the heat or on very low heat so it melts gently without separating or turning grainy.
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly and you don't end up with mushy carrots and crunchy potatoes.
  • Taste the chowder before serving and adjust the seasoning, because vegetables can vary in sweetness and the broth in saltiness.
  • If the chowder feels too thick, thin it with a little more broth or milk until it reaches the consistency you love.
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