There’s something delightfully comforting about cozying up with a bowl of creamy zucchini soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, especially when topped with golden, toasty homemade croutons you’ve crisped to perfection.
I enjoy making mouthwatering meals that showcase straightforward ingredients, and my Easy Zucchini Soup is no exception. With an aromatic medley of onions and minced garlic, this creamy soup is packed with flavor, while the sliced zucchinis make for a quite healthy vehicle—most of us could stand to eat more vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables.
(And zucchini is technically a fruit, though you don’t need to tell it that.) Topped with homemade, buttery croutons for a delightful crunch, I find the soup to be quite satisfying as a main course.
Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe Ingredients
- Zucchinis: Rich in antioxidants, supports digestion with dietary fiber.
- Olive oil: Provides healthy fats, known for anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Onion: Adds a robust, savory flavor, contains vitamin C.
- Garlic: Boosts immune system, enhances flavor with a subtle spice.
- Vegetable broth: Low-calorie, enhances soup’s depth of flavor with nutrients.
- Heavy cream: Adds creaminess, provides calcium and rich texture.
- Bread cubes: Offer a crunchy texture, serve as carbs for energy.
Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups bread cubes
How to Make this Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe
1. Place olive oil into a large pot and heat over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion is completely tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. In the pot, add the sliced zucchinis and cook them for another 5 minutes, stirring them about occasionally. 5 minutes of cooking time for the zucchinis.
3. Add the vegetable broth and bring everything to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the zucchinis are soft.
4. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until it is smooth. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the soup to a blender in small batches and blend it until it is smooth.
5. Blend the heavy cream into the mixture, and then season it like you mean it. Add salt, pepper, and dried thyme to taste. For the next five minutes, let it be on low heat, warming it through as you carry on with whatever you’re doing in the kitchen.
6. At the same time, melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir in the bread cubes, and toast them, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and crispy.
7. Take the croutons out of the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra butter. Unlike the keto croutons that you can buy in stores, these have a delightfully crunchy, toasty texture that will hold up even in a hearty salad. The croutons are thick enough that they won’t become soggy the moment you dress your salad.
8. Sample the broth and adjust seasoning, if necessary, before serving.
9. Serve the soup piping hot and top it with the homemade croutons.
10. Relish the flavor and creaminess of the zucchini soup against the crunchy texture of the croutons. They add a much-needed texture contrast.
Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Large pot
2. Immersion blender or countertop blender
3. Frying pan
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Wooden spoon or spatula
7. Measuring cups and spoons
8. Paper towels
9. Plate
FAQ
- Can I use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth?Certainly, if you want to use a non-vegetarian broth, chicken broth can be used in place of vegetable broth.
- What type of bread works best for the croutons?Baguettes and sourdough bread are ideal for croutons, especially when they are a day old or when they are slightly stale.
- Is it possible to make this soup vegan?Definitely. Use cream that comes from plants or coconut milk, and substitute a vegan alternative for butter.
- Can I prepare the soup in advance?The soup can indeed be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, reheat it gently.
- How can I thicken the soup?For a thicker end result, you can add a peeled, diced potato to the cooking zucchini.
- Can I freeze the soup?You can freeze the soup without the cream; however, for best texture, add the cream after thawing and reheating.
Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe Substitutions and Variations
1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil instead of 2 tablespoons olive oil.
1 tsp garlic powder = 2 cloves garlic
In place of vegetable broth, use 4 cups chicken broth.
1 cup coconut cream in place of heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (chopped) in place of dried thyme
1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Pro Tips
1. Caramelize the Onions: Try cooking the onions over low heat for a longer time until they are golden brown and caramelized. This adds a depth of flavor and a hint of sweetness to the soup.
2. Enhance with Herbs: In addition to dried thyme, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a bay leaf while simmering to deepen the flavor profile. Remove the bay leaf before blending.
3. Zucchini Prep: To maximize flavor, sauté the zucchinis a little longer until they have some browned edges. This caramelization adds a subtle nutty flavor to the soup.
4. Crouton Variations: For extra flavor, toss the bread cubes in some garlic powder or grated Parmesan before toasting them in butter. This gives the croutons a savory kick.
5. Adjust Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter soup, substitute some of the heavy cream with milk or a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk, which will still provide creaminess with a twist.
Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe
My favorite Easy Zucchini Cream Soup With Croutons Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot
2. Immersion blender or countertop blender
3. Frying pan
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Wooden spoon or spatula
7. Measuring cups and spoons
8. Paper towels
9. Plate
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups bread cubes
Instructions:
1. Place olive oil into a large pot and heat over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion is completely tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. In the pot, add the sliced zucchinis and cook them for another 5 minutes, stirring them about occasionally. 5 minutes of cooking time for the zucchinis.
3. Add the vegetable broth and bring everything to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the zucchinis are soft.
4. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until it is smooth. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the soup to a blender in small batches and blend it until it is smooth.
5. Blend the heavy cream into the mixture, and then season it like you mean it. Add salt, pepper, and dried thyme to taste. For the next five minutes, let it be on low heat, warming it through as you carry on with whatever you’re doing in the kitchen.
6. At the same time, melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir in the bread cubes, and toast them, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and crispy.
7. Take the croutons out of the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any extra butter. Unlike the keto croutons that you can buy in stores, these have a delightfully crunchy, toasty texture that will hold up even in a hearty salad. The croutons are thick enough that they won’t become soggy the moment you dress your salad.
8. Sample the broth and adjust seasoning, if necessary, before serving.
9. Serve the soup piping hot and top it with the homemade croutons.
10. Relish the flavor and creaminess of the zucchini soup against the crunchy texture of the croutons. They add a much-needed texture contrast.
