Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable)

Creamy cauliflower chowder with potatoes, carrots, and cheddar cheese. Ready in 45 minutes. Comforting and satisfying.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced

→ Dairy

07 - 2 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids

10 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste

→ Thickener

15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh chopped parsley
17 - Extra grated cheese
18 - Crushed red pepper flakes

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent lumping.
03 - Gradually add the vegetable broth, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
04 - Add the potatoes and cauliflower florets. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
05 - Stir in the milk, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
06 - Using an immersion blender, blend part of the chowder for a creamier texture while leaving some vegetables chunky.
07 - Stir in the cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley, extra cheese, or red pepper flakes as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like someone spent hours fussing over you, but the whole thing comes together in less time than a TV drama episode.
  • The texture walks that perfect line between creamy and chunky, so every spoonful feels different.
  • You can make it vegan, gluten-free, or loaded with cheese without changing the soul of the dish.
02 -
  • Don't skip the flour step or your chowder will be thin and watery instead of hugging the spoon the way it should.
  • If you blend too much, you'll end up with baby food instead of chowder, so leave at least half of it chunky.
  • Add the milk after the vegetables are fully cooked or it might curdle if the heat is too high.
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables to roughly the same size so they cook evenly and you're not biting into raw potato while the cauliflower dissolves.
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts smoother and doesn't have that weird coating that keeps it from clumping.
  • If you like smoky flavor, try adding a pinch of chipotle powder or a few dashes of liquid smoke along with the paprika.
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