Description
This creamy garlic bread soup with homemade croutons is the ultimate comfort food, blending a smooth, garlicky base with crispy, buttery croutons. Made with day-old French bread, chicken broth, and rich cream, this soup is perfect for chilly evenings and sure to impress your family or guests. The homemade croutons add an irresistible crunch, making this dish both hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Bread Soup:
14 ounces day-old French bread, cubed
8 cups chicken broth (reduced-sodium)
1 medium-sized yellow onion, diced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
½ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Homemade Croutons:
2 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Homemade Croutons:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Toss the French bread cubes with melted butter, garlic, basil, and salt.
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Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
For the Garlic Bread Soup:
4. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour in the chicken broth, add bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the cubed French bread and cook for 5-7 minutes until it softens and breaks down, thickening the soup.
7. Remove bay leaves and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or a regular blender.
8. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer for another few minutes to heat through.
To Serve:
9. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with homemade croutons. Garnish with additional Parmesan or fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian option.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the soup for extra heat.
Herbed Croutons: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary for the croutons.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
