Comforting, creamy, cheesy soup to cheer you up and warm you up. Made with cauliflower, ham, and white cheddar cheese, this soup is filling but light.
Cauliflower Soup
I am so tired of the yo-yo weather! It’s two days of cold, four days of hot, two days of freezing, four days of hot. My air conditioner tells me to make up my mind already and the plants are going crazy. It’s the second year in the row where temperatures are that crazy.
I mean, we never get an early winter here, in FL, but we at least get steady cooler temperature by Christmas. This hot/cold weather tantrum is really messing with my head and health.
‘Tis surely is the season… for colds. Between most of the country dealing with snow storms and this crazy weather pattern in FL, it’s officially time for some cozy hot cocoa and soup. Half the family has been having colds non-stop for weeks and I was really hoping that I could avoid it but it found me, and it found me hard. All I want is some hot tea and soup.
Although, to be honest, what I really want is some ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese but I can’t have that because gluten-free pasta is just not the same and I don’t like it. But, you know what?
This creamy, cheesy soup has been satisfying my craving beautifully. I love the great flavors that come together in this simple soup and I love that it’s hearty enough without having any pasta or potatoes packed in it. It’s just what the doctor ordered!
MORE LEFTOVER HAM RECIPES:
One Pot Bean Ham and Tortellini Soup from Carlsbad Cravings
Ham Mac and Cheese Soup from The Food Charlatan
Ham and White Cheddar Beer Cheese Soup from With Salt and Whit
Chicken Meatball and Orzo Soup
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Creamy Cauliflower Ham and Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil for cooking
- 1 small yellow onion
- .75 lb ham
- 2 garlic cloves pressed
- 2 lb head of cauliflower
- 1 1/2 Tbsp flour
- 1 tsp dry sage
- Salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 3-4 cups chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
- Dice onion and set aside. Dice ham into small pieces and set aside. Cut cauliflower florets off, discard the stem, and chop florets onto small pieces. Set it aside as well.
- Preheat a medium pot over medium heat with some oil. Add diced onion and saute until transparent. Add ham and cook for a few minutes. Add pressed garlic, mix, and cook until fragrant.
- Add prepared cauliflower, mix well and cook for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over veggies and ham and mix well.
- Pour in chicken stock, while slowly stirring. Enough chicken stock to just covers the cauliflower mixture.
- Add bay leaf, salt, pepper, and sage. Stir and cover with a lid, leaving a crack for steam to escape. Cook for 20-25 minutes.
- Stir in heavy whipping cream and grated white cheddar cheese. Cook for a few more minutes and serve.
- **To make this soup gluten-free, substitute flour with either gluten-free flour or 1 tbsp of corn starch.**
Video
Nutrition
Geri says
My husband said this soups like crack! Cant sop eating it! And it’s so easy to make, so win, win!
LyubaB says
haha well I am so happy to hear he likes it so much!
Jeannette says
The first time I made this I used 2 (16 oz.) bags of frozen cauliflower but did not double anything. It was nice and creamy. Today I made it with only 1(16 oz.) bag of frozen cauliflower and no ham. I did not double anything. It was not creamy. Is there anything I can do to make this creamy? It’s easier to swallow that way; I have a hard time swallowing “thin” soups.
Thank you for the recipe. It is very good.; I just like it better’ creamy.
Deb Duquette says
OMG!!!! Added carrots and celery and some smoked gouda and it was absolutely, insanely delicious!!
LyubaB says
Yum! So glad you liked it!
Geri says
I love this recipe,make it quite often. It’s the sage that makes it so delicious and unique!
david says
Excellent recipe. Followed mostly, adapting for slow cooking on instant pot (2 hrs), but added thyme, oregano, and smoked paprika instead of the sage for savory and a bit of a bite. Would work well if you wanted to add crab or shrimp (along with the ham). Will make again!
LyubaB says
Glad you liked it, David!
Sarah says
This is wonderful soup! I only added a 1/2 more cheese and used the four cups of broth
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked it, Sarah!
Ellisyn says
I didn’t see it mentioned, but would it change it too much if I used frozen cauliflower? I’m on a very strict budget and it would be cheaper where I’m from. I really wanna try this!
Deb Duquette says
I used frozen and it was perfect!!
LyubaB says
Glad you liked it!
Robin says
Making keto by using olive or avocado oil instead of vegetable oil. Flour can be omitted or use a pinch of xantham gum for thickener.
LyubaB says
Thanks, Robin! I am not very familiar with keto so this will be very helpful for those who are on that diet.
Robin says
What else can be substituted for flour. Not allowed on keto.
LyubaB says
You can leave the flour out, it just won’t be as thick.
Sarah says
This was perfect!! I subbed xanthan gum for flour, (to make it keto friendly) added 3 oz of cream cheese, and puréed about 2 cups of the broth/veggies and then added the ham at the end. Topped with green onions, bacon and cheese!
LyubaB says
Yum! Glad you could make it your own and that you liked it 🙂
Robbi says
I blended the cauliflower slightly with the chicken broth. Easy. I also added mustard as the sage seasoning didn’t do it for me. Quite delicious in the end. Thanks!
LyubaB says
Glad you liked it, Robbie!
Joeleen says
This soup was delicious! Definitely a keeper!
LyubaB says
Thanks, Joeleen! 🙂