This Country French Garlic Soup is a simple yet elegant dish packed with rich, mellow garlic flavor. Simmered to perfection with herbs and a touch of cream, this rustic soup is both comforting and full of depth. Serve it with crispy baguette slices or melted cheese toasts for a truly satisfying meal!
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Why You’ll Love This Soup
✔ Rich & Comforting – A smooth, velvety broth with deep garlic flavor.
✔ Healthy & Immune-Boosting – Garlic is packed with antioxidants and benefits digestion.
✔ Simple Ingredients – Made with pantry staples, yet tastes gourmet!
✔ Pairs Well with Everything – Perfect as a starter or light meal with crusty bread.
Ingredients for Country French Garlic Soup
For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 10-12 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (about 1 head of garlic)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 small bay leaf
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice (for brightness)
For Serving:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for richness)
- Crusty French bread or baguette slices
- Fresh parsley or thyme, for garnish
Tools You’ll Need
✔ Large soup pot or Dutch oven
✔ Wooden spoon
✔ Immersion blender (or regular blender)
✔ Ladle
How to Make Country French Garlic Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic & Onion
- In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and onion, cooking until soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes). Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Step 2: Simmer the Soup
- Add thyme, salt, black pepper, broth, and bay leaf.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
- Remove the bay leaf, then use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
- If using a regular blender, blend in batches, then return to the pot.
Step 4: Finish the Soup
- Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice, cooking for 2-3 more minutes on low heat.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese (if using).
- Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme.
- Serve with toasted baguette slices or a grilled cheese sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
🥖 Classic Pairing: Serve with a warm, crusty baguette or garlic toast.
🧀 Cheesy Option: Add melted Gruyère or Swiss cheese toasts on top!
🥗 Light Meal: Pair with a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
Tips for the Best Garlic Soup
✔ Use Fresh Garlic – Fresh cloves give the best depth of flavor.
✔ Don’t Burn the Garlic – Cook on low heat to avoid bitterness.
✔ For a Thicker Soup – Add a small diced potato while simmering, then blend.
✔ Make It Vegan – Use coconut cream or oat milk instead of heavy cream.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Freeze: Not recommended due to the dairy, but you can freeze without the cream and add it when reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I roast the garlic instead of sautéing?
A: Yes! Roasting garlic gives a sweeter, caramelized flavor. Roast a whole head of garlic at 375°F (190°C) for 30-40 minutes, then squeeze the cloves into the soup.
Q2: What’s the best bread for serving?
A: A French baguette, sourdough, or ciabatta pairs perfectly with this soup.
Q3: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The flavors deepen as it sits. Just store in the fridge and reheat when ready to serve.
A Rustic, Flavorful French Classic!
This Country French Garlic Soup is cozy, creamy, and bursting with delicious garlic flavor. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or a light meal, it’s guaranteed to be a warm and satisfying dish.
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🕒 Preparation Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 25 minutes
🌍 Cuisine: French
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
Enjoy this rich and cozy garlic soup, and bon appétit!
Print
Country French Garlic Soup
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
This Country French Garlic Soup is a simple yet elegant dish packed with rich, mellow garlic flavor. Simmered to perfection with herbs and a touch of cream, this rustic soup is both comforting and full of depth. Serve it with crispy baguette slices or melted cheese toasts for a truly satisfying meal!
Subscribe to our newsletter for more classic French recipes straight to your inbox!
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz fettuccine, linguine, or penne
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. This helps loosen the sauce if needed.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp
- In a bowl, season shrimp with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir, letting it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently mix everything together.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Plate the creamy shrimp Alfredo pasta and garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this restaurant-quality dish at home!
Notes
✔ Use Fresh Parmesan – It melts better than pre-packaged cheese.
✔ Don’t Overcook Shrimp – They cook quickly and should be tender, not rubbery.
✔ Adjust Sauce Consistency – Use pasta water to loosen or simmer longer to thicken.
✔ Make It Healthier – Swap half-and-half for heavy cream and use whole wheat pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian-American
