Description
Garlic bread soup brings Italian comfort to your table with layers of rich, aromatic flavors. Homemade croutons crown this silky blend, inviting you to savor each spoonful of pure culinary warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 14 ounces (397 grams) day-old French bread, cubed
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) reduced-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Crouton Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 grams) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal toasting environment for the bread cubes.
- Transform the French bread into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring consistent size for even crisping.
- Gently melt butter and infuse it with aromatic minced garlic, creating a flavor-packed coating for the bread.
- Delicately drizzle the garlic-infused butter over the bread cubes, then sprinkle with fragrant basil and a touch of salt, gently tossing to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Spread the seasoned cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet, allowing each piece maximum exposure to heat.
- Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, midway through rotating the cubes to ensure uniform golden-brown crispness.
- Set the croutons aside, allowing them to cool and crisp up further.
Garlic Bread Soup:
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Introduce chopped onions, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper, allowing the ingredients to caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors for 7-8 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, stirring briefly to release its intense aroma without burning.
- Pour in chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bay leaves, eliminating any potential bitter undertones.
- Incorporate the prepared bread cubes and luxurious heavy whipping cream, letting the mixture simmer and allow the bread to absorb the liquid’s essence.
- Use an immersion blender to transform the soup into a silky, smooth consistency.
- Finish by whisking in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, adding a final layer of rich, savory depth.
- Serve the soup piping hot, garnishing with the crispy homemade croutons for a delightful textural contrast.
Notes
- Transforming classic garlic bread into a luxurious, velvety soup that comforts and delights with every spoonful.
- Homemade croutons elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary, adding crispy texture and intense garlic flavor.
- Choose day-old French bread for the best crouton results, ensuring maximum crunch and ability to soak up rich soup base.
- Blending the soup creates a silky smooth consistency that highlights the deep, aromatic garlic and herb undertones.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty complexity that perfectly complements the creamy soup profile.
- Quick cooking time of under 40 minutes makes this gourmet-style soup an achievable weeknight dinner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg