Whether you’re craving something warm on a chilly day, or you’re looking for comfort food made healthy at home, our Roasted Veggie Soup with Cheese Croutons is just the recipe to whip up. Eating warm foods as the seasons change from summer to fall and then into winter is a healthy way to nourish your body and help it adjust to seasonal shifts, and a warm, homemade vegetable soup made with gut-healthy Lifeway Kefir is the perfect choice.
Our Roasted Vegetable Soup blends fiber-rich vegetables, which are packed with anti-inflammatory nutrients, with protein-rich Lifeway Kefir that supplies vitamins A, D, and key B vitamins that are important for optimal health. Our kefir transforms soups into a silky, smooth dream in place of heavy cream and is an easy way to add some protein to your meals in seconds.
This recipe also features crispy, cheesy homemade croutons that tastes like mini pieces of a grilled cheese sandwich in every bite of soup. The combination of textures and flavors is like a warm hug, and the nutrients this recipe provides will keep you feeling great hours after you eat it. So if you’re still deciding what soup you want to try first this season, look no further—this is the one!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 30-35 minutes Servings: 6-8Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, no salt added
- 2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- ½ cup Lifeway Lowfat Plain Kefir (stirred in after cooking)
- Optional garnishes: fresh thyme, rosemary, and/or parsley
For the Cheese Croutons:
- 4 slices whole-grain, sourdough, or gluten-free bread of choice
- 4 oz. cheddar (or mozzarella) cheese
- 1 tbsp. butter, softened
Directions
- Roast the Vegetables: Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic on a baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Blend the Soup: Transfer roasted veggies to a large pot. Add the can of fire-roasted tomatoes and the broth and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender in batches) to puree until smooth.
- Add Kefir: Once slightly cooled for 10-15 minutes (not piping hot), stir in Lifeway Lowfat Plain Kefir for creamy texture and to maintain some of the probiotic benefits. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper or all-purpose seasoning if needed.
- Make Grilled Cheese Croutons: Butter one side of each bread slice. Place cheese between two slices, butter side out. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden and melty. Let rest for 1–2 minutes, then cut into small bite-sized cubes.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with grilled cheese croutons, and garnish with fresh herbs.