Cheesy Cauliflower Bratwurst Soup
Cheesy Cauliflower Bratwurst Soup
The perfect comfort food is soup and Cheesy Cauliflower Bratwurst Soup is the answer. This soup is made with two Wisconsin favorites, bratwurst and cheese. Feel free to substitute ground pork, sausage or even ground beef for the bratwurst but here in Wisconsin, there is never a shortage of bratwurst so of course that’s what we used. In fact in Wisconsin, there is never a shortage of cheese either.
Velveeta Cheese?
Before you get mad and leave, hear me out, please. I know your probably thinking, she lives in Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland and she’s using Velveeta cheese?!? Well, I never! Besides using Velveeta, this recipe also calls for one can of condensed fiesta cheddar cheese soup. I can hear the screams and groans from here, she’s using processed cheese and a can of condensed soup?!? Outrageous!
Let Me Explain
The reason why I use Velveeta cheese in many recipes, is really a simple one, Velveeta cheese melts beautifully. When Velveeta is combined with condensed cheddar cheese soup and/or shredded cheddar cheese, the result is delicious and creamy. Shredded cheese alone, especially in a soup recipe, can become clumpy, greasy even and often separates. That’s why I use Velveeta cheese in combination with other cheeses in soup and dips.
UP NEXT: Spinach and Artichoke Tzatziki Stuffed Mushrooms
Looking for more soup recipes? Here are a few you might like to try. Smoky Gouda Cheese Soup and Northwoods Duck Gumbo
Cheesy Cauliflower Bratwurst Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds bratwurst, sliced
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2-4 quarts water
- 1 10-3/4 oz can fiesta cheddar cheese soup
- 1 14-1/2 oz can can diced tomatoes
- 2 14-1/2 oz cans chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- 2 to 4 teaspoons hot sauce
- 16 oz block Velveeta Cheese, cubed
- 1 head fresh cauliflower, steamed and broken into florets
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, add onion and garlic, saute for 5 minutes.
- Add sliced bratwurst, season with liquid smoke, salt and pepper.
- Saute' until browned on both sides, remove from heat and set aside.
- In large dutch oven or soup kettle add water, cheddar cheese soup, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, parsley, thyme, creole seasoning and hot sauce. With slotted spoon, transfer brat mixture into soup kettle.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add cubed Velvetta cheese and stir until melted.
- Add steamed cauliflower and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring gently.
- Cook until heated through.
