Adding cheese to soup can transform a simple bowl of broth into a rich, creamy, and delicious meal. Cheese brings a velvety texture and savory flavor that complements and enhances many soups. While you can put cheese in almost any soup, there are some best practices to follow. The type of cheese, how you incorporate it, and when you add it to the soup can impact the finished result. With the right technique, cheese can take your soups from basic to gourmet.
Can All Types of Cheese Be Added to Soup?
Most types of cheese can be successfully added to soup. However, some work better than others. Here are some guidelines for choosing a cheese variety:
- Soft fresh cheeses like goat cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone will melt into the soup, adding creaminess.
- Soft ripe cheeses like brie and camembert add creaminess when melted.
- Semi-soft cheeses like havarti, gouda, and gruyere melt well and add flavor.
- Hard cheeses like parmesan, asiago, and pecorino romano can be grated and stirred into soup or served as a garnish.
- Blue cheeses like gorgonzola, roquefort, and stilton add strong flavor in small amounts.
- Processed cheeses melt uniformly into soups.
- Cheddar, swiss, monterey jack, and other good melting cheeses work well in many soups.
Not all cheeses are ideal candidates for soup. Dry, crumbly cheeses like feta don’t melt well. Very soft cheeses like cottage cheese or ricotta can curdle if boiled. But most cheeses can be incorporated successfully into soup recipes with the proper technique.
When Should You Add Cheese to Soup?
The timing of when you add cheese to soup depends on how you want it to melt and incorporate. Here are some guidelines:
- Add shredded cheese at the very end after removing the pot from heat to retain distinct pieces of melted cheese.
- Add cheese in thick slices or chunks at the end to melt just enough to soften but still retain shape.
- Stir in grated cheese towards the end of cooking so it melts into the broth.
- Make a cheese base by melting cheese into hot cream or milk, then stirring the creamy cheese mixture into the soup.
- Mix a cheese sauce separately first before combining with the hot soup.
- Sprinkle cheese over individual soup bowls so it melts from the heat of the soup.
The optimal time to add cheese depends on the type of cheese and your desired texture. Experiment to see what method of adding cheese suits your soup recipe best.
What Are the Best Soups for Adding Cheese?
While you can add cheese to almost any soup, some soups are particularly well suited to cheese flavors and textures. Some of the best soups to mix with cheese include:
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and cheddar cheese soup
- French onion soup with gruyere cheese croutons
- Creamy tomato soup with parmesan cheese
- Potato soup with bacon and cheddar
- Baked french onion soup gratin??e
- Beer and cheese soup with swiss and lager
- Creamy mushroom soup with brie
- Broccoli cheese soup with aged cheddar
- Cauliflower and Stilton soup
- Pumpkin bisque with goat cheese
Thick pur??ed vegetable soups, cream soups, cheese fondues, and chowders all lend themselves well to cheese additions. The flavor and creaminess pairs perfectly with heartier soup styles.
What Are Some Tips for Adding Cheese?
Here are some top tips for successfully incorporating cheese into soups:
- Grate hard cheeses and cut softer cheeses into smaller cubes for even melting.
- Stir cheese continuously as it melts to avoid clumping.
- Add a little cream or milk when melting cheese to make a smooth sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheeses over individual bowls instead of the whole pot to retain texture.
- Use sodium citrate when making nacho cheese sauce from harder cheeses to keep the sauce creamy and emulsified.
- Prevent grainy cheese sauces by first creating a roux with butter and flour before adding milk and cheese.
- Mix in mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, or hot sauce to sharpen cheese flavors.
With the right techniques, it’s easy to incorporate any type of cheese into soup successfully. Melting cheese into soup can take it to the next level in terms of flavor, creaminess, and overall enjoyment.
What Are Some Common Pitfalls When Adding Cheese to Soup?
Adding too much cheese or using the wrong techniques can lead to disappointing results. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Adding cheese to very acidic, hot liquid can cause it to clump or become stringy.
- Boiling crumbly or dry cheeses can make them seize up or become rubbery.
- Not melting cheeses thoroughly can leave globs of unmelted cheese.
- High fat cheeses added too early can separate from the broth.
- Shredding instead of grating Parmesan and other hard cheeses makes them melt poorly.
- Cottage cheese and cream cheese tend to curdle instead of melting smoothly when boiled.
- Processed cheese products can become artificially orange and greasy when melted.
Avoid these issues by choosing cheeses wisely, grating or cutting into small pieces, stirring continuously as it melts, and removing soup from direct heat when nearing the finish. Pay attention to cheeses as they melt to prevent any undesirable changes in texture.
What Are Some Ideas for Garnishing Soups with Cheese?
For an attractive presentation and added flavor, garnishing soup with cheese is a great finishing touch. Some creative ideas include:
- Baked Parmesan crisps
- Panko fried cheese cubes
- Swiss cheese croutons
- Grating hard aged cheeses like Parmesan or Romano
- Dollops of soft ricotta or goat cheese
- Floating baked brie rounds or wheel
- Crispy cheesy breadsticks
- Bacon lardons or bits
- Sliced, shredded, or crumbled cheese
- Cheese crisps or crackers on the side
Aim for contrasting colors and textures when garnishing. Combine baked crispy garnishes with soft dollops or sprinkled shreds of different cheese varieties to finish soup with flair.
Conclusion
Adding cheese transforms simple soup into rich, flavorful comfort food. Experiment with different varieties, quantities, and techniques to make cheese work perfectly in your favorite soups. Follow a few guidelines to end up with smooth, creamy cheese flavor instead of clumps or greasy pools. With so many cheeses to choose from, the possibilities for delicious cheesy soups are endless. A sprinkle or swirl of cheese can be the final flourish your soup needs to go from great to spectacular.