There’s something so soothing about a warm bowl of soup that hits all the right notes—comfort, flavor, and nourishment. This Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe is exactly that, with a cozy, roasted sweetness and that irresistible cheesy finish that makes it unforgettable.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I have to share how this soup won me over the first time I roasted those veggies and let their natural sugars caramelize—it just elevates every spoonful. Adding Parmesan melts right in, making it creamy without any cream, which is a dream for flavour and texture.
- Deep Roasted Flavors: Roasting veggies brings out a natural sweetness and caramelization you won’t believe.
- Simple Enough for Any Skill Level: Whether cooking for family or a cozy solo meal, it’s a straightforward recipe that shines.
- Creamy Without Cream: Parmesan adds richness and umami, so the soup feels indulgent but stays lighter.
- Flexible and Customizable: You can swap veggies or herbs to match what you have or prefer.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This soup’s ingredients combine freshness with depth. Roasting brings out sweetness and a little smoky edge, while spices and Parmesan add layers of cozy flavor. Picking quality veggies and fresh Parmesan makes a big difference here.
- Sweet Potato: Its natural sweetness deepens with roasting and adds body to the soup’s base.
- Red and Yellow Bell Peppers: They contribute bright color and a mild, fruity flavor that balances the earthier roots.
- Carrots: They roast nicely and boost the natural sweetness further.
- Garlic Cloves (in skin): Roasting mellow the garlic, giving a rich, sweet undertone without sharpness.
- Olive Oil: The roasting medium that helps caramelize the veggies and keeps them silky.
- Salt, Black Pepper, Cumin & Paprika: A simple spice combo that enhances warmth and earthiness.
- Red Onion: Adds a subtle bite and extra caramelized sweetness when roasted just right.
- Vegetable Stock: The liquid base, ideally homemade or a good quality bouillon to keep the flavor clear and clean.
- Grated Parmesan: This sneaky ingredient brings creaminess and umami without the need for cream.
- Fresh Thyme: A fragrant finishing touch that adds herbal brightness to the soup.
Make It Your Way
Once you have the basics down, I encourage you to tweak this soup a bit to make it your own. I often swap in whatever roasted veggies are in season or add a touch of heat with chili flakes. It keeps the recipe fresh and exciting.
- Variation: Try adding a handful of spinach leaves towards the end of cooking for extra greens—trust me, it blends beautifully and boosts the nutrition.
- Dairy-Free Option: If you want it dairy-free, omit the Parmesan or use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for that umami kick.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of smoked chili powder or cayenne can give it a lovely warming edge.
- Herb Swap: If fresh thyme is unavailable, rosemary or sage work splendidly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Roast the Vegetables
Start by preheating your oven to 200°C/400°F (fan). Toss your chopped sweet potato, red and yellow peppers, carrots, and whole garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika on a large baking tray. Using your hands to mix everything really helps coat them evenly—that's always my go-to trick! Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to get even caramelization.
Step 2: Add the Onions and Finish Roasting
After 20 minutes, add your red onion wedges to the tray. Give everything another good toss so the onions get coated in the flavorful oil and spices. Return to the oven for another 10-12 minutes until everything is tender, golden, and smells heavenly. This stage is crucial because those onions add a lovely depth and sweetness.
Step 3: Blend and Bring It All Together
Set aside a couple of spoonfuls of the roasted vegetables (these will garnish your soup). Put the rest into a large saucepan. Squeeze the softened garlic from its skins into the pan before adding in the vegetable stock. Bring it up to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for five minutes to marry the flavors. Then, blend smoothly with a hand blender. I love how quick this step is, and it creates that velvety texture we all crave in a good soup.
Step 4: Stir in Parmesan and Season
Now stir in the Parmesan cheese and give it a taste. You might want to add a little extra salt or pepper depending on your stock’s saltiness. The cheese melts into the soup, making it luxuriously creamy without needing cream.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the reserved roasted veggies, a sprinkle of fresh grated Parmesan, and a few sprigs of thyme. It’s the little garnishes that make this soup special and inviting.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours, I’ve learned that getting the roasting just right is the secret to this soup's success. Here's what helps me every single time:
- Even Veggie Size: Cut all your vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly and caramelize evenly.
- Hands-On Tossing: Don’t be shy—use your hands when tossing veggies with oil and spices; it’s faster and more thorough than a utensil.
- Reserve Garnishes: Always set aside some whole roasted pieces before blending—they’re perfect for adding texture and visual appeal.
- Blend Smoothly: Use a good hand blender or a high-speed blender for a silky finish; it makes a big difference.
How to Serve Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of using those reserved roasted vegetable chunks on top—they add texture and a pop of color. A little extra Parmesan over the top, and fresh thyme sprigs always brighten the plate. Sometimes, I add a drizzle of good quality olive oil or a swirl of crème fraîche for an extra touch of indulgence.
Side Dishes
I often serve this soup with crusty bread—sourdough pairs beautifully to soak up every last drop. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness, or for a heartier meal, garlic-rubbed toasted baguette slices make perfect dippers.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like to serve this soup in mini pumpkin bowls—roasted out and scooped, they add a festive flair. Another fun twist is layering the soup with a dollop of pesto or crispy pancetta bits for a crunchy surprise that guests adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover roasted vegetable soup keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to four days when stored in an airtight container. I find it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together, so it makes for an easy, delicious lunch the day after cooking.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, and it’ll be ready to reheat with almost no loss in flavor or texture.
Reheating
I usually reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it’s a bit thick after cooling, just add a splash of stock or water to loosen it up. Avoid boiling it again to keep the Parmesan from separating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can skip the Parmesan or replace it with nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese alternative to keep the creamy, umami-rich flavor without dairy.
Yes! This recipe is very flexible. You can swap in roasted zucchini, butternut squash, or even cauliflower. Just adjust the roasting time depending on how dense the veggies are.
Roasting garlic with the skins on tempers its sharpness and develops a beautiful sweetness and creaminess when squeezed out. It adds flavor without being overpowering.
Definitely! You can roast the vegetables a day ahead and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, blend them with warm stock and finish the soup, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal.
Final Thoughts
This Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe has become a staple in my household because it beautifully balances simple ingredients with maximum flavor. It’s cozy enough for a quiet night in, yet elegant enough to impress friends. I hope you find it just as comforting and satisfying as I do—and maybe it’ll become a go-to recipe for you, too. Don’t be afraid to make it yours and enjoy every delicious spoonful!
Print
Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This roasted vegetable soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring caramelized sweet potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, and garlic, blended with vegetable stock and finished with grated parmesan and fresh thyme for a creamy, savory touch.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large sweet potato (peeled and chopped into chunks)
- 1 red bell pepper (deseeded and chopped into chunks)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (deseeded and chopped into chunks)
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (left in the skin)
- 1 red onion (peeled and chopped into wedges)
Seasonings and Oils
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Liquids and Cheese
- 1 litre (4 ¼ cups) vegetable stock
- 35 g (⅓ cup) grated parmesan
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan (for topping)
Fresh Herbs
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200C/400F (fan) to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables for Roasting: Place chopped sweet potato, red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, and garlic cloves with skins on a large baking tray.
- Season and Toss: Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and paprika. Use your hands to toss everything together ensuring even coating.
- Initial Roast: Roast the vegetables in the oven for 20 minutes, turning everything over after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Add Onion and Continue Roasting: After 20 minutes, add the red onion wedges to the tray and toss all vegetables again so onion is coated in oil. Return to oven and roast for another 10-12 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Set Aside Some Vegetables: Remove the baking tray from the oven. Put a couple of tablespoons of roasted vegetables to one side for garnishing.
- Cook Soup Base: Place the remaining roasted vegetables into a large saucepan. Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins into the pan. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
- Simmer and Blend: Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes. Turn off heat and blend the soup using a hand blender until smooth.
- Finish Soup: Stir in 35 grams of grated parmesan. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with reserved roasted vegetables, sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.
Notes
- Roasting the vegetables until golden caramelized deeply enhances the soup’s flavor.
- Leaving garlic cloves in their skin during roasting mellows their flavor and makes them easy to squeeze out.
- Use vegetable bouillon to keep the soup gluten-free if necessary.
- Grated parmesan adds creaminess and a savory finish to the soup.
- You can substitute parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative if preparing a vegan version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 228 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1505 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
Leave a Reply