Creamy Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Soup

Super Creamy Vegan Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Comforting vegan creamy soups are an obsession of mine. My favorites are creamy pumpkin soup, vegan broccoli cheese soup, German potato soup, and this vegan cauliflower soup! Through roasting with just a little oil and salt, humble cauliflower is lightly caramelized, nutty, and delicious. Combine that with thickening, creamy white beans and buttery cashews (optional) for the most delicious, velvety, moreish roasted cauliflower soup! Honestly, this healthy cauliflower soup tastes so wonderfully creamy and indulgent; it’s hard to believe that it’s 100% dairy-free and made with just a few simple, wholesome plant-based ingredients. In fact, the addition of beans and cashews means we pack this soup with plant-based protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats! Perfect for keeping you satisfied until your next meal. Whether you’re feeling poorly, craving comfort food, or want a soup to impress at dinner parties or during the holiday (like Christmas and New Year’s), this cauliflower white bean soup fits the bill! Plus, with just 10 simple pantry-friendly ingredients, you can enjoy this year-round. Best of all, it freezes well, too, so you can make a large batch and freeze some for later! Looking for more ways to enjoy cauliflower this fall/winter? You might enjoy this curried cauliflower casserole, cauliflower patties, kung pao cauliflower, or air fryer buffalo cauliflower wings!

Cauliflower Soup Ingredients

Cauliflower: You can use fresh or frozen (thawed) cauliflower for this creamy cauliflower soup. Cashews: Soaked cashews (raw unsalted) help make this ‘cream of cauliflower soup’ so creamy. For a nut-free version, use hemp seeds or soaked sunflower seeds instead. You could also omit them entirely, but the soup won’t be as creamy. Cannellini beans: White beans will help make this cauliflower soup thicker for a super hearty soup. Broth: You’ll need vegetable broth. Use low-sodium, if preferred. Milk: Use the plant-based milk of your choice. For the creamiest dairy-free cauliflower soup, use full-fat coconut milk, but any (cashew milk, oat milk, etc.) will work. Garlic: Adjust the amount to taste. You can also use roasted garlic (use an entire head. Cut off the top, drizzle with oil, wrap in foil, and roast along with the cauliflower). Seasonings: You’ll need paprika, ground oregano (or thyme), and salt and black pepper to season this healthy cauliflower soup. Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil. Lemon: Lemon or lime juice would work (a small amount of lemon zest to garnish would also be amazing!). If you don’t have any, try subbing it with vinegar, like white wine vinegar/ apple cider vinegar. Parsley: To garnish (optional). Alternatively, scallions or chives would work.

Optional add-ins and recipe variations:

Spice: To add a bit of spice to the vegan creamy cauliflower soup, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne/chili powder. Nutmeg: Just like I always add a pinch of nutmeg to my creamy mashed potato, it also helps to add a subtle but noticeable ‘something special to this vegan cauliflower soup. Cumin: Just a pinch for added depth and earthy flavor. Nutritional yeast: Add nutritional yeast (to taste) for a slightly cheesy flavor. Onion: To add extra depth to the healthy cauliflower soup, roast a sliced onion with the cauliflower (or simmer it on the stovetop to caramelize, if preferred). Butter: To add a subtle richness and silkiness, add a small amount of vegan butter to the soup before serving. Potato: Instead of beans, you could bake a potato (or sweet potato) to help thicken the soup. The latter will add a subtle sweetness too, which tastes fantastic with nutritional yeast. Carrot/parsnip: For a more pronounced subtle sweetness, roast a carrot/parsnip (or two) alongside the cauliflower. Herbs: You can experiment with rosemary, oregano, or sage within this vegan cream of cauliflower soup. Dijon mustard: Just a small amount for extra depth. Curry powder: For a curried cauliflower soup, add some curry powder or garam masala (start with 1 tsp and increase to taste).

Soup Toppings

Along with those already mentioned, there are several other toppings you could choose from to garnish this cauliflower white bean soup, including:

Croutons Crispy chickpeas Crispy Brussel sprouts Kale chips Coconut ‘bacon’ Sautéed/ roasted mushrooms Cooked asparagus A dollop of vegan yogurt or sour cream Vegan Parmesan cheese Lightly toasted cashews or pine nuts Olive oil swirl (or melted vegan butter)—use truffle oil for a decadent twist

Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.

How to Make Vegan Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Before starting the recipe, make sure the cashews are soaked. You can do this either in hot water for a couple of hours OR boil them for 15 minutes until tender (this makes them easy to blend into a smooth, creamy consistency).

First, preheat the oven to 400F/200C. Then, separate the cauliflower into small florets and spread it across a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with a tablespoon of oil, a sprinkle of salt, and toss to coat. Then roast for 30-35 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.

Make sure to set aside some of the roasted cauliflower florets to garnish the vegan cauliflower soup.

Next, add all the ingredients (in batches if necessary) to a blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, add the ingredients to a large saucepan and use an immersion blender (the latter won’t get it as silky smooth, though).

If your cauliflower is very hot, leave the chute open for steam to escape, OR manually open the lid occasionally and hold it down with a clean tea towel while blending. It may be helpful to add the broth and milk bit by bit.

Taste the roasted cauliflower soup and adjust any of the seasonings to taste. If the soup is too thick (it will become thicker as it sits and chills), add a splash of extra broth or milk to your desired consistency. Finally, transfer the cauliflower soup to a saucepan on the stove-top. Heat over medium until warmed through. Serve the soup in a warm bowl, garnished with the reserved cauliflower and some fresh parsley—enjoy!

How to Serve?

As with most soup recipes, this vegan cauliflower soup pairs well with all the classic soup sides, including:

Bread: A few slices of crusty bread or baguette, or even a flatbread like naan, potato flatbread, or pita. Sandwich: A vegan grilled cheese or regular sandwich of your choice. Salad: Serve this as an appetizer/side with a leafy green salad. Veggies: This vegan roasted cauliflower soup pairs well with many cooked veggies: asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale/spinach, etc.

You can also serve this creamy cauliflower soup as a small appetizer for Thanksgiving and Christmas, followed by all your favorite holiday dishes!

How to Store?

Make ahead: I highly recommend preparing this soup a day in advance. The flavors will meld and develop and taste even better on day two! Store: Allow the cauliflower soup to cool before transferring to an airtight container and storing in the fridge for 3-4 days. Freeze: Transfer the cooled soup to either airtight containers (with headspace) or Ziplock bags (excess air removed) to the freezer to store for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat: You can reheat the cauliflower cashew soup gently on the stovetop or in the microwave (for 2-3 minutes).

Can I substitute the cannellini beans?

You should be able to use other neutral beans like butter beans. Chickpeas may also work, but have a more pronounced flavor and won’t be quite as creamy.

Can I Air Fry the cauliflower?

Absolutely. Make sure to cook it in a single layer, with space in-between (so that it caramelizes/browns, rather than steams). I recommend cooking it at 400F/200C for 9-12 minutes, tossing/flipping every 3-4 minutes.

Can I boil/steam the cauliflower instead of roasting?

The roasted cauliflower provides lots of flavor in this simple soup, so I wouldn’t recommend it. However, if you try, I recommend sautéing the garlic AND an onion on the stovetop until browned. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend.

Is cauliflower soup healthy?

Definitely, this vegan cauliflower soup recipe is packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats, as well as several vitamins and minerals. It’s also fairly low-carb (if that’s your thing), gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, and Whole30 (as far as I’m aware).

Recipe Notes and Tips

For a thicker/thinner soup: You can adjust the amount of vegetable stock and/or milk you add to the soup. For a chunkier soup: Leave some of the cauliflower un-blended or only lightly mashed if you prefer some texture in the vegan cauliflower soup. Don’t skip the lemon: It adds that ‘something special to finish off the soup before serving. In fact, lemon juice is one of my top secrets for rescuing any bland soup, too. Don’t under roast the cauliflower: It should be tender and well caramelized for the deepest flavor. The smaller the florets, the quicker they’ll caramelize.

More Vegan Soup Recipes

Creamy lasagna soup Vegan carrot ginger soup Vegan white bean soup with potatoes Creamy corn chowder Easy vegan tortilla soup One-pot lentil soup Creamy pasta soup

If you try this creamy vegan cauliflower soup recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.