Description
A creamy and flavorful leftover veggies soup made with cauliflower, broccoli, leeks, and smoked sausage, enriched with Asiago cheese and heavy cream. This comforting soup combines sautéed aromatics, blended vegetables, and savory sausage for a hearty meal that’s perfect for using up leftover vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 cups Cauliflower
- 2 cups Broccoli
- 2 stalks Leek
- 1 Onion
Liquids and Fats
- 3 tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
- 5 cups Chicken Stock (divided)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
Flavorings and Seasonings
- Garlic Paste, to taste
- Dried Oregano, to taste
- 3 Fresh Basil Leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Cayenne Pepper, to taste
Dairy
- 3 tablespoons Asiago Cheese (divided)
Protein
- 6 ounces Smoked Sausage
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes transparent and soft.
- Add Leek: Add the sliced leek stalks to the onions and sauté for an additional 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Simmer Leek and Onion: Pour in 2 cups of chicken stock and simmer gently until the leek is soft but not mushy, about 5 minutes.
- Blend Vegetables: In a blender or with a stick blender, combine the remaining 3 cups of chicken stock with the cauliflower and broccoli. Blend until the mixture is very smooth.
- Season the Puree: Transfer the blended vegetable mixture to a pot. Season with garlic paste, dried oregano, fresh basil leaves, salt, and cayenne pepper according to your taste. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add Asiago Cheese: Stir in 2 tablespoons of Asiago cheese and continue to simmer for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly to melt the cheese evenly into the soup.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the sautéed leek and onion mixture, along with its cooking liquid, into the blended vegetable soup pot and stir to combine.
- Add Smoked Sausage: Slice or chop the smoked sausage and add it to the soup. Simmer for another 2 minutes to heat through and develop flavor.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, mixing well to create a rich and creamy texture.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls or soup plates. Sprinkle each bowl with about 1/2 tablespoon of Asiago cheese and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil before serving. Enjoy your hearty leftover veggies soup!
Notes
- You can substitute smoked sausage with any smoked or cooked sausage variety of your choice.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your spice preference or omit for a milder soup.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken stock and sausage with vegetable stock and omit the sausage.
- Use a blender or immersion stick blender for best texture in the soup.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: leftover veggies soup, creamy vegetable soup, cauliflower soup, broccoli soup, smoked sausage soup, hearty soup, easy soup recipe
