Are you looking for a meal that delivers a comforting, warm embrace in a bowl? When a cold evening sets in, and you crave something deeply nourishing, finding the right recipe can be a challenge. You’re after something that’s full of flavour, simple to make, and provides that quintessential cosy feeling. Your search ends here. We have crafted the ultimate Creamy Vegetable Soup, a velvety smooth concoction that’s brimming with wholesome ingredients and is surprisingly straightforward to prepare.

This is far more than your average vegetable soup; it’s a rich, luxurious, and profoundly satisfying dish destined to become a firm favourite in your home. It stands out as one of those brilliant vegetarian dinner recipes that will win over even the most committed carnivores. Say goodbye to thin, uninspiring soups. We are about to create a culinary delight that celebrates the pure, vibrant flavours of fresh vegetables, all brought together with a gloriously creamy finish. Let’s pop on our aprons and cook up some comfort!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Bowl of Pure Comfort: With its silky texture and deep, savoury taste, this soup is the very definition of rich comfort food. It’s our top choice for warming up on a chilly day.
• Brimming with Goodness: We pack this soup with an assortment of vegetables, offering a delightful and effortless way to get your daily intake. It’s a health-conscious choice that never compromises on flavour.
• Wonderfully Adaptable: Think of this recipe as your perfect starting point. You can easily substitute vegetables based on seasonality or what you have on hand. We’ll even guide you on transforming it into a wonderfully cheesy soup!
• Simple and Speedy: Taking less than an hour from start to finish, this is one of our go-to easy soup ideas for hectic weeknights. It involves minimal fuss for a truly spectacular outcome.
• Ideal for Meal Prepping: This soup develops even more flavour overnight. It keeps perfectly in the fridge and freezes beautifully, making it an excellent choice for lunches or dinners prepared in advance.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 medium potatoes (about 400g), peeled and cubed
• 1.2 litres vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 150ml double cream (or full-fat coconut milk for a vegan alternative)
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)

Mastering the Perfect Creamy Vegetable Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this soup is a simple and gratifying experience. We’ve laid out the process in easy-to-follow steps to guarantee a perfectly smooth and flavourful result every single time. Let’s cook together!

Step 1: Sauté the Base Vegetables

The secret to any exceptional soup lies in its flavour foundation. We build ours by gently sautéing the aromatic vegetables to release their natural sweetness.

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over a medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are tender and the onion looks translucent. Avoid letting them brown.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant. This ensures the garlic infuses the oil without burning.

Step 2: Simmer to Perfection

It’s now time to combine all the ingredients and allow the flavours to mingle and deepen. This is where the real transformation begins.

1. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot, then pour in the vegetable stock, making sure the vegetables are completely covered.
2. Tuck in the bay leaf and sprinkle over the dried thyme, giving everything a thorough stir.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately lower the heat, cover with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 20–25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready for the next stage when the potatoes and carrots are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork.

Step 3: Blend to a Silky Smooth Finish

This is the essential step for achieving that signature velvety consistency. You have a couple of methods to choose from, so pick the one that suits you best.

1. First and foremost, find and discard the bay leaf. You certainly don’t want that in your finished soup!
2. Using an Immersion Blender: This is the most straightforward option. Place your stick blender directly into the pot and blend until the soup is flawlessly smooth.
3. Using a Standard Blender: When using a countertop blender, it’s vital to work in batches. Important: Let the soup cool for a few minutes first, as hot liquids can expand and create dangerous pressure in a sealed container. Fill the blender no more than halfway, secure the lid firmly, and place a tea towel over the vent. Blend each portion until smooth, then transfer it to a clean pot.

Step 4: The Creamy Finale

With your soup now beautifully blended, it’s time for the final touches that elevate it to a new level of luxury.

1. Return the pureed soup to the pot on a low heat (if you used a countertop blender).
2. Pour in the double cream, stirring gently until it is seamlessly combined. Let the soup warm through, but don’t allow it to boil, as this can cause the cream to split.
3. Season with a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Have a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Often, a little more salt is all that’s needed to make the flavours sing.
4. Ladle the finished soup into bowls, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives, and serve straight away.

Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations

Although our classic recipe is delightful as it is, we always encourage you to experiment! Here are a few of our favourite ways to customise this creamy vegetable soup.

How to Make a Cheesy Vegetable Soup

For an extra layer of decadence, you can easily turn this into a rich cheesy vegetable soup. After incorporating the cream in the final step, take the pot off the heat. Stir in 100g of grated mature cheddar or Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted. The residual warmth of the soup is all you need to create a gooey, savoury masterpiece.

Vegetable Swaps and Additions

Don’t hesitate to play around with different vegetables. This soup is an excellent way to use up any produce you have in the fridge. Why not try adding:

• Leeks: Use in place of the onion for a gentler, sweeter base flavour.
• Cauliflower or Broccoli: Add florets at the same time as the potatoes for a unique taste.
• Butternut Squash or Sweet Potato: Swap these for the white potatoes to create a sweeter, earthier soup with a beautiful orange colour.
• Peas: Add a cup of frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of simmering for a burst of sweetness and vibrant green.

Making It Vegan

This recipe can be effortlessly adapted for a vegan diet. Simply substitute the double cream with a high-quality, full-fat coconut milk or another plant-based cream alternative. Also, double-check that your vegetable stock is vegan-certified. The result is every bit as creamy and satisfying.

If you’re searching for more comforting meal inspiration, our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves With Creamy Sauce provide another delicious way to enjoy a rich, satisfying dinner. For a hearty, family-pleasing bake, you simply can’t beat this amazing Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe.

Serving and Storing Your Soup

To turn your soup into a more substantial meal, we recommend serving it with a thick slice of warm, crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for dipping. Other fantastic toppings include homemade croutons, an extra swirl of cream, a scattering of toasted seeds, or a drizzle of chilli oil.

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the hob over a low heat, stirring from time to time. This soup also freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. For the best texture, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. You can discover more tips for perfecting your soup-making from trusted resources like BBC Good Food.

FAQ

A Bowl of Comfort You’ll Make Again and Again

So there you have it—a straightforward, elegant, and utterly delicious creamy vegetable soup that offers comfort and flavour with every spoonful. This recipe is a testament to how simple, humble ingredients can be transformed into something truly special. We’re passionate about making cooking an enjoyable and accessible experience, and this soup is a perfect example of a rewarding meal that anyone can create.

The next time you’re in need of a wholesome and satisfying dinner, we hope this recipe comes to mind. Give it a go, add your own personal touches, and be sure to share how it went in the comments below. We always love to hear about your culinary creations!

Recipe Card

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 medium potatoes (about 400g), peeled and cubed
• 1.2 litres vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 150ml double cream
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 8-10 minutes until tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add the potatoes, vegetable stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are fork-tender.
3. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender (or a standard blender in batches), blend the soup until perfectly smooth.
4. Return the soup to low heat. Stir in the double cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Heat through gently without boiling. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 348 kcal, Carbs: 28 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 25 g

`);win.document.close();win.focus();win.print()})})})