There’s something so cozy about a bowl of warm soup that’s packed with flavor and texture. This Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe takes simple ingredients, roasts them to caramelized perfection, and blends everything into a luscious, creamy delight. It’s one of those soups that feels gourmet but is incredibly easy to pull off.
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 first made this roasted vegetable soup when I wanted something healthy, comforting, and a bit different from the usual cream-based soups. The roasting step really ups the game by bringing out a deep, almost caramelized sweetness in the veggies that makes the whole soup sing — plus that Parmesan finish is the magic touch.
- Depth of Flavor: Roasting the veggies before blending adds a wonderful caramelized complexity you don’t get from just boiling them.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have almost everything in your kitchen, making it an easy go-to for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
- Velvety Texture: The Parmesan stirred in at the end gives the soup a creamy richness without needing cream or dairy overload.
- Customizable: You can swap or add veggies, adjust spices, or make it dairy-free — it’s a flexible base that's friendly to your kitchen mood.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This soup is all about letting each ingredient shine through roasting, then coming together in the bowl beautifully. The sweetness of the sweet potato balances the dry spices, and the Parmesan finishes with an umami kick. When shopping, try to pick firm, fresh vegetables for the best roast and flavor.
- Sweet Potato: Its natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully when roasted, giving body and depth.
- Red & Yellow Bell Peppers: Add colorful sweetness and a subtle tang, roasting softens their flavor beautifully.
- Carrots: Bring earthiness with a hint of natural sugar that roasts to tender perfection.
- Garlic Cloves (in skin): Roasting garlic in its skin mellows the sharpness and infuses the soup with gentle sweetness.
- Olive Oil: Helps veggies roast evenly and adds a smooth, rich mouthfeel.
- Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Paprika: These seasonings highlight the veggies’ flavor and add warmth and depth.
- Red Onion: Added partway through roasting to keep those wedges tender but still with some bite and extra sweetness.
- Vegetable Stock: The broth base that ties all those roasted veggies together.
- Parmesan: Stirred in at the end, this brings creaminess and an irresistible umami layer.
- Fresh Thyme: Garnishes and adds a fresh herbal note to finish.
Make It Your Way
I often switch up the veggies depending on what’s in season or what I have on hand. Once, I added a roasted eggplant for an even smokier, richer flavor. Feel free to make it your own — that’s part of the cooking fun! I also love swapping Parmesan for a vegan alternative when friends come over.
- Variation: Try adding a pinch of chili flakes before blending if you like a bit of heat — it gives the soup an exciting kick.
- Dietary Swap: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan if you want a dairy-free soup that still feels cheesy.
- Seasonal Twist: Swap the sweet potato for butternut squash in fall — it roasts just as well and tastes fantastic.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Rainbow of Veggies
Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F fan). Toss the sweet potato chunks, red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, and garlic cloves (keep those skins on!) with olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika on a large baking tray. Use your hands to coat everything evenly — this step is fun and messy in the best way.
Pop it in the oven for 20 minutes, and halfway through, about 10 minutes in, flip everything over to ensure even caramelization. Around this point, your kitchen will start smelling incredible — that roasting smell is addictive.
Step 2: Add Red Onion and Finish Roasting
After the first 20 minutes, add the chopped red onion wedges to the tray, toss again so they get a nice olive oil coating, and roast for another 10-12 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn golden and the veggies to feel tender when poked with a fork. Don’t worry if the garlic looks extra soft; that’s exactly what you want!
Step 3: Blend into Comfort
Save a couple of tablespoons of those beautiful roasted vegetables for garnish. Squeeze the garlic out of its skin and add it to the rest of the veggies in a large saucepan. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring everything to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for five minutes to marry the flavors, then turn off the heat.
Using a hand blender, pulse everything right in the pot until smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a hand blender, carefully transfer to a countertop blender in batches.
Step 4: Stir in Parmesan and Season
Once blended, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. It melts into the hot soup, adding a lovely creamy texture and that classic nutty flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little more salt or pepper if needed. That finishing touch of Parmesan really pulls the whole soup together.
Step 5: Serve with Style
Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with the reserved roasted vegetables, a little extra grated Parmesan, and fresh thyme sprigs for a beautiful presentation. Serve warm and enjoy every spoonful of comfort!
Top Tip
I’ve found that roasting the vegetables really makes or breaks this recipe — it’s the secret to that rich, savory flavor you’re after. Here are some things I learned along the way that make my version stand out every time.
- Prep Evenly: Cut your vegetables into roughly the same-sized chunks so they roast evenly and finish cooking at the same time.
- Don’t Skip the Garlic Skins: Roasting garlic in its skin softens it perfectly so it blends smoothly and mellows the flavor — just squeeze it out when ready.
- Use a Large Baking Tray: Crowding the veggies can cause steaming instead of roasting, so spread them out for better caramelization.
- Adjust Thickness: If your soup feels too thick after blending, add a splash more stock or water to reach your preferred consistency.
How to Serve Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
I always use some of the roasted vegetables reserved before blending—they add great texture and bursts of flavor. A sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan on top is non-negotiable for me, plus a few sprigs of fresh thyme add a lovely herbal fragrance. Sometimes, I’ll drizzle a little good-quality olive oil around the rim for a glossy finish.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread—like a warm baguette or sourdough—perfect for dipping. I’ve also served it alongside a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette for a light, balanced meal. For heartier occasions, garlic bread or cheesy toasties work wonders.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, try serving the soup in mini bread bowls or rustic ceramic cups. You can also swirl in a dollop of crème fraîche or coconut yogurt for a pretty finish if you want. Adding a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds or crushed nuts provides a nice crunch and makes the presentation pop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavor actually deepens overnight, so this soup is perfect to make ahead. Just give it a good stir before reheating to recombine any settled ingredients.
Freezing
I freeze this soup regularly in individual portions. Because it’s vegetable-based and doesn’t contain cream, it freezes well without any change in texture. Make sure it’s cooled completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. Adding a splash of water or stock helps loosen it up if it’s thickened during storage or freezing. Avoid boiling once reheated to maintain that silky texture and fresh flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just swap out the Parmesan for a vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast to maintain that cheesy, savory taste without dairy.
No worries! You can use a regular blender in batches — just be careful with hot liquids. Blend halfway, let steam escape, then finish. A food processor can also work in a pinch, though the texture might be slightly chunkier.
Fresh veggies work best because roasting them caramelizes the sugars nicely, enhancing flavor. Frozen vegetables tend to release more water and won’t caramelize as well, which may affect texture and taste.
It stays fresh and delicious for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Beyond that, the flavor and texture might start to degrade, so freezing is a great option for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
This Roasted Vegetable Soup with Parmesan Recipe truly feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I love how the roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables while the Parmesan adds that creamy luxury without the heaviness. It’s become my go-to for chilly evenings, and I’m sure once you try it, it'll be one of yours too — simple, satisfying, and endlessly comforting.
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: Roasting
- 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 parmesan cheese and fresh thyme for a creamy and aromatic experience.
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 Dairy
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 35 g (⅓ cup) grated parmesan
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan (for topping)
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme
Liquids
- 1 litre (4 ¼ cups) vegetable stock (use vegetable bouillon for gluten-free)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200C/400F (fan-assisted) to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables: Place the sweet potato chunks, red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, and garlic cloves with skins on a large baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, cumin, and paprika. Toss well using your hands to coat all the vegetables evenly.
- Initial Roasting: Roast the vegetables in the oven for 20 minutes, turning everything over after 10 minutes for even cooking and caramelization.
- Add Onion: After 20 minutes, add the red onion wedges to the tray, toss everything again so the onion is coated in oil and spices, then return the tray to the oven.
- Final Roasting: Roast for an additional 10-12 minutes until all vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. Remove the tray from the oven once done.
- Reserve Vegetables: Set aside a couple of tablespoons of the roasted vegetables for garnish. Place the remaining vegetables and squeezed garlic into a large saucepan.
- Cook Soup Base: Pour the vegetable stock into the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Blend Soup: Turn off the heat and use a hand blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Add Parmesan and Season: Stir the grated parmesan into the hot soup for creaminess and flavor. Adjust seasoning to taste with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, topping each with the reserved roasted vegetables, extra grated parmesan, and a few fresh thyme sprigs for garnish and aroma.
Notes
- Roasting the vegetables until golden and caramelized enhances the soup’s depth of flavor significantly.
- If you prefer a vegan option, omit the parmesan or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Using vegetable bouillon ensures the soup remains gluten-free.
- For a smoother texture, strain the soup after blending if desired.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with rosemary or oregano based on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 228 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1505 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
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