Description
A comforting and flavorful soup made with roasted garlic, crusty bread, and a creamy broth, topped with crispy homemade croutons for the perfect crunch.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Soup:
- 2 heads garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 3 cups crusty bread, torn into small pieces (like sourdough or baguette)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- For the Homemade Croutons:
- 2 cups bread cubes (any crusty bread, day-old works best)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make the Soup:
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the garlic heads, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30-35 minutes until soft and golden. Let cool, then squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the roasted garlic, broth, milk (or cream), and torn bread pieces. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender in batches) to puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Make the Croutons:
- While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss the bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crispy.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls, top with crispy croutons, and garnish with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- :
- For a thicker soup, add more bread. For a thinner consistency, add more broth.
- You can swap whole milk for a dairy-free option like coconut milk or almond milk.
- Try adding crispy bacon bits or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~380
- Sugar: ~5g
- Sodium: ~650mg
- Fat: ~20g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~9g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Protein: ~10g
- Cholesterol: ~35mg