Easy Creamy Garlic Bread Soup with Crispy Croutons Recipe

Garlic bread delight soup crafts ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Rich, velvety textures promise comfort with every spoonful.

Aromatic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a sensory journey that awakens taste buds.

Warm, inviting flavors dance between creamy smoothness and crunchy crouton accents.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe speaks to both novice and experienced home cooks.

Hearty and satisfying, the soup represents pure culinary creativity.

Each ingredient contributes a unique note to the symphony of taste.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Garlic Bread Soup

• Craft Comfort in a Bowl: This soup transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, heartwarming experience that wraps you in cozy, garlicky goodness.
• Texture Triumph: The velvety smooth soup base perfectly contrasts with the crispy, golden homemade croutons, creating an exciting play of soft and crunchy textures in every spoonful.
• Flavor Explosion: Loaded with rich Parmesan, roasted garlic, and aromatic herbs, this recipe delivers an intense depth of flavor that elevates classic bread soup to a gourmet-level dish without complex techniques.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: From start to finish, this recipe comes together in under 45 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal for home cooks seeking delicious comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients That Bring Creamy Garlic Bread Soup to Life

• French Bread: Soft, slightly stale bread perfect for creating rich, creamy texture in the soup and making crispy croutons.
• Homemade Croutons: Adds crunch and extra garlic flavor to the soup.

• Butter: Provides rich, smooth flavor and helps coat croutons.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety soup consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth and helps thicken the soup.

• Garlic, Minced Garlic: Delivers intense, warm flavor throughout the recipe.
• Onions: Provides sweet, foundational flavor base for the soup.
• Thyme: Offers earthy, subtle herbal notes.
• Bay Leaves: Contributes deep, complex background flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances and balances overall taste.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the foundational liquid for the soup.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding subtle richness.

Instructions for Garlic Bread Soup with Croutons

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Equipment

Preheat oven to 350°F. Gather baking sheet, cutting board, and knife.

Step 2: Create Crispy Crouton Cubes

Cut French bread into 1″ cubes carefully and evenly.

Step 3: Craft Garlic Butter Coating

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Dried basil
• Salt

Step 4: Season and Spread Croutons

Drizzle garlic butter over bread cubes, tossing gently to ensure even coating. Spread croutons in a single layer on baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake Croutons to Perfection

Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove when golden and crispy. Set aside.

Step 6: Build Soup Base

• Diced onions
• Thyme
• Bay leaves
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook 7-8 minutes until onions brown slightly.

Step 7: Enhance Aromatic Flavors

Add minced garlic, cooking 30-60 seconds until fragrant.

Step 8: Develop Broth Foundation

Pour in chicken broth, bringing to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Step 9: Incorporate Bread and Cream

Whisk cubed French bread and heavy whipping cream into broth. Simmer 5 minutes, allowing bread to absorb liquid.

Step 10: Blend Soup Smooth

Use immersion blender to puree soup, creating silky texture with onion and bread cubes.

Step 11: Finish with Cheesy Richness

Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated.

Step 12: Serve and Garnish

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top generously with crispy homemade croutons. Enjoy immediately.

Tips for Crispy Croutons and Creamy Soup

• Select Quality Bread: Choose day-old French bread for maximum flavor absorption and perfect texture in the soup.
• Control Garlic Intensity: Adjust the amount of minced garlic to match your personal taste preference, from mild to bold.
• Achieve Crispy Croutons: Spread bread cubes in a single layer and stir halfway through baking to ensure even golden-brown crunchiness.
• Smooth Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender slowly and carefully to create a velvety soup without lumps or splashing.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Add Parmesan cheese off the heat and whisk gently to prevent separation and create a silky, creamy consistency.

How to Store and Reheat Garlic Bread Soup

• Refrigeration: Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal the container tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freezing: Carefully pour the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing the croutons separately, as they will lose their crispy texture.
• Reheating: Warm the soup slowly in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore the creamy consistency if needed. Crisp up fresh croutons just before serving to maintain their crunch and restore the soup's delightful texture.

What Pairs Well with Garlic Bread Soup

• Elevate with Wine Companion: Pair this creamy garlic bread soup with a crisp, medium-bodied Chardonnay that balances the richness of the dish, cutting through its creamy texture while complementing the garlic's robust flavor.
• Cheese Board Sidekick: Serve alongside a small plate of aged Gruyère and sharp cheddar chunks, which echo the Parmesan in the soup and provide delightful textural contrast with the smooth soup and crispy croutons.
• Fresh Herb Salad Match: Add a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to bring a bright, peppery freshness that cuts through the soup's decadence and provides a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
• Rustic Bread Platter Partner: Offer a selection of artisan bread slices – sourdough, whole grain, and rye – to allow guests to dip and explore additional texture and flavor dimensions alongside the garlic bread soup.

Versions of Garlic Bread Soup You’ll Want to Try

• Rustic Garlic Cheese Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. Add extra sharp cheddar cheese instead of Parmesan for a more robust flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Soup: Incorporate roasted red peppers and swap thyme with oregano. Use rosemary-infused olive oil for additional depth and regional character.
• Spicy Garlic Bread Soup: Introduce red pepper flakes and diced jalapeños during onion cooking stage. Mix in pepper jack cheese for a fiery kick that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Gluten-Free Bread Soup: Substitute French bread with gluten-free bread cubes. Use cornstarch instead of bread for thickening and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Creamy Garlic Bread Delight Soup With Crispy Croutons Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Garlic Bread Delight Soup combines comfort and elegance in one irresistible bowl. Rich Italian-inspired flavors mingle with crispy croutons, promising a delightful culinary journey that warms your soul and satisfies your deepest hunger.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 14 ounces (397 grams) day-old French bread, cubed
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth, reduced-sodium
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated parmesan

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon basil
• Dash of pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Crouton Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) French bread, cut into 1″ cubes
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for preparing the homemade croutons.
2. Transform the French bread into uniform 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) cubes using a sharp knife.
3. Melt butter with finely chopped garlic in a small saucepan, creating an aromatic infusion.
4. Cascade the garlic-butter mixture over bread cubes, then generously dust with dried basil and kosher salt. Gently toss to ensure even coating.
5. Distribute the seasoned cubes across a baking sheet in a single, uncrowded layer to promote optimal crispness.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, midway pausing to rotate cubes for consistent golden browning. Remove and reserve once crisp and golden.
7. In a substantial cooking pot, warm olive oil over medium temperature.
8. Introduce diced onions, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, salt, and ground black pepper. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until onions develop a rich caramelized edge.
9. Incorporate minced garlic and cook briefly until releasing its fragrant essence, approximately 30-60 seconds.
10. Stream chicken broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil. Reduce heat and allow gentle simmering for 15 minutes, then discard bay leaves.
11. Introduce cubed French bread and heavy whipping cream, letting the bread luxuriously absorb the liquid while simmering for 5 minutes.
12. Utilize an immersion blender to transform the soup into a velvety, uniform consistency, thoroughly incorporating bread and onion elements.
13. Integrate grated Parmesan cheese, whisking until completely melted and harmoniously blended.
14. Serve immediately in warm bowls, elegantly garnishing with the crisp homemade croutons.

Notes

• Master the art of homemade croutons by ensuring even coating with garlic butter and spreading them in a single layer for maximum crispiness.
• Caramelize onions slowly to develop rich, deep flavor that serves as the soup’s flavor foundation before adding other ingredients.
• Toast bread cubes inside the soup allows them to absorb liquid and create an incredibly silky, luxurious texture.
• Use an immersion blender directly in the pot for smooth, hassle-free blending without transferring hot liquid between containers.
• Select high-quality Parmesan cheese for a sharp, nutty finish that elevates the entire soup’s complexity.
• Allow soup to simmer gently after adding cream and bread to help ingredients meld and develop robust, harmonious flavors.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer.
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 298 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 642 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg