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Secret To AMAZING Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup Recipe

4.7 from 88 reviews

This Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup is a creamy, flavorful dish combining the sweetness of roasted red peppers with the rich, smoky taste of aged Gouda cheese. Perfect for cozy dinners, this soup balances fresh ingredients and slow simmering to develop deep, harmonious flavors, garnished with fresh basil for an aromatic finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 4 large red bell peppers (or 2 16-oz jars roasted red peppers, drained)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids & Dairy

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Cheese

  • 2 cups (8 oz) aged Gouda cheese, grated

Seasonings & Garnishes

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare peppers: Set oven rack in middle position and preheat to 450°F (232°C). Wash red bell peppers, pat dry, cut in half, remove stems, seeds, and ribs. Line a baking sheet with foil, place peppers cut-side down with skin up, leaving space between them. Roast 15-20 minutes until skin blackens and blisters.
  2. Cool and peel peppers: Remove peppers from oven with mitts, let cool 10-15 minutes on baking sheet. Gently peel off the blackened skin without rinsing to preserve flavor. Coarsely chop peeled peppers.
  3. Prepare other ingredients: Chop onion into ¼-inch pieces, mince garlic finely, and grate Gouda cheese using large holes of a box grater. Measure 2 cups grated cheese and let it come to room temperature.
  4. Cook onion and aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add chopped onions, cook 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring every minute. Add minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to release flavors and avoid burning.
  5. Add roasted peppers and broth: Stir in chopped roasted peppers and pour in 4 cups vegetable broth. Increase heat to medium-high until small bubbles (simmer) appear, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
  6. Blend the soup: Option A (immersion blender): Turn off heat, blend soup directly in the pot until smooth (2-3 minutes). Option B (regular blender): Cool soup 5 minutes, blend in batches halfway full with lid vent covered by towel, then return blended soup to pot.
  7. Add cream and cheese: Set pot over medium-low heat. Slowly stir in 1 cup heavy cream. Add grated Gouda gradually, one handful at a time, stirring until fully melted between additions to prevent clumping.
  8. Season and finish: Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper starting with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
  9. Serve and garnish: Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish as desired with extra Gouda, fresh basil leaves, a swirl of cream, or croutons. Pair with crusty bread, a green salad, or a grilled cheese sandwich for a heartier meal.

Notes

  • Peppers should be peeled carefully without rinsing to avoid flavor loss.
  • Adding cheese gradually prevents grainy texture or clumping.
  • Simmer soup gently to allow flavors to meld and prevent burning.
  • Use caution blending hot soup to avoid splattering; immerse blender head completely or cool soup before blending in a jug.
  • For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Gouda with vegan cheese.
  • Soup is naturally gluten-free and can be adapted to different dietary needs.
  • Store soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freezing is not recommended due to dairy content but can be done with texture changes.
  • Reheat gently on stovetop, stirring frequently; avoid high heat microwave reheating to prevent curdling.

Keywords: roasted red pepper soup, gouda soup, creamy roasted pepper soup, vegetarian soup, gluten-free soup, comfort food soup