Keto cauliflower soup with crispy pancetta

Keto cauliflower soup with crispy pancetta

No time? No problem. This soup proves that keto food can be just as quick and easy as it is deeply satisfying. A silky, creamy soup topped with the salty crunch of fried pancetta, cauliflower, and nuts. Who knew fast food could be so luxurious?

Keto cauliflower soup with crispy pancetta

No time? No problem. This soup proves that keto food can be just as quick and easy as it is deeply satisfying. A silky, creamy soup topped with the salty crunch of fried pancetta, cauliflower, and nuts. Who knew fast food could be so luxurious?
USMetric
6 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 450 g cauliflower, cut into small florets, divided
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp butter
  • 7 oz. 200 g pancetta, diced or bacon
  • 3 oz. 85 g pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp paprika powder or smoked chili powder
  • 4 cups 950 ml chicken broth or vegetable stock
  • 7 oz. (45 cup) 200 g (210 ml) cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 oz. (½ cup) 110 g (120 ml) unsalted butter
  • ¾ tsp ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ½ tsp pepper
This recipe has been added to the shopping list.

Instructions

Instructions are for 6 servings. Please modify as needed.

  1. Chop a handful of the cauliflower florets, into ¼ inch (0.5 cm) pieces.
  2. Melt the butter in a medium-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped cauliflower pieces and pancetta. Sauté for about 8-10 minutes or until the pancetta becomes crispy. During the last few minutes, stir in the pecans and paprika. Set aside.
  3. Add the broth and the rest of the cauliflower florets to a medium-sized pot. Cover and bring to a boil for a couple of minutes over high heat.
  4. Reduce the temperature to medium, and add the cream cheese, mustard, butter, salt, and pepper. Using an immersion blender, combine the ingredients to the desired consistency; blending the mixture for a longer time will produce a creamier soup.
  5. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with the pancetta-pecan mixture.

Tip!

Like variety? Then swap out the pecans for your favorite blend of nuts and seeds. And if you are running low on stock, no worries. Just replace it with lightly salted water.

Recommended special equipment

  • Immersion blender

You might also like

DD+ MEMBERSHIP
Healthy meal plans
Meal plans that work

Want to lose weight and improve your health? Try a ketogenic (keto), low-carb, or high-protein diet. Stay on track by following our nutritionally reviewed meal plans.

Low-carb recipes
1,333 💙 Low-carb recipes

Whether you’re looking for high-protein, strict keto, or liberal low-carb recipes, here you’ll find tons of tasty recipes to choose from. Discover our wide range of healthy recipes.

The Diet Doctor food policy
Our food policy

There are many thoughts and ideas about what foods are and aren’t part of a healthy diet. Learn more about what foods you can expect from our recipes.


💬 Have you tried this recipe?

What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
1 2

54 comments

  1. Dana
    I made Cauliflower Soup with Bacon instead of pancetta, it did not turn out looking the same but boy was it really good. I enjoyed the taste of the Dijon Mustard in the creamy soup, a little went a long way in adding great flavor. Pretty simple, I used an immersion blender in my pot. It filled me up so much at lunch; I forgot to eat dinner.
  2. Deemel
    very pleasant soup - I think the Dijon gives a lovely kick
  3. Zoe
    Just made this for lunch. Really enjoyed the soup but wasn't so keen on the pancetta topping. Will definitely make this again but will probably just crumble some cheese on top.
  4. 1 comment removed
  5. Veronica
    Is this total carb or Net carb?
    Reply: #6
  6. Peter Biörck Team Diet Doctor
    Hi Veronica!

    We use : Net carbs = Total carbs - Fiber

    Is this total carb or Net carb?

  7. Tracy
    Anyone wondering a Ib is approx 1/2 a cauliflower.
    Yummy! Love this recipe!
  8. Devon
    I made this last night, and I found that the soup didn't thicken up at all, and it had a very cream cheese taste to it, instead of cauliflower. I did enjoy the bacon crumble.
  9. 1 comment removed
  10. AmberK
    Such a fast, delicious meal! My husband & kids loved it. I also sliced up one green onion to put a little on top. Really nice flavors and textures. Served it with the garlic & rosemary focaccia. Great weeknight meal.
  11. Stephanie Greene
    LOVE this. I used uncured bacon instead of pancetta. SOOO good.
  12. 1 comment removed
  13. Leigh
    I made a large pan of this. Glad I did it's delicious. The topping certainly adds something to it. I put the fat out the pan on the top too and it was really tasty.
  14. Brooke
    Very thick and cream cheese-y. My husband loved it, especially the bacon and cauliflower crumbles. Agree with other poster above, there is no mention of what to do with the extra fat in the pan, so I poured a tablespoon on each serving. Very filling and delicious.
  15. 1 comment removed
  16. Justina
    My husband who is definitely not a soup eater loved it! Pecan nuts and bacon give some much extra flavour! I will be definitely making this soup for our friends and family in the near future.
  17. 2 comments removed
  18. Mathilde
    What a scrumptious soup! I crumbled blue vein cheese on top, yum!
  19. Sharon
    This was easy and delicious! Just perfect for a cold winters day.
  20. Patricia Anderson
    Amazing soup! I used a head of cauliflower and a whole 8 oz package of cream cheese. I added a teaspoon of turmeric, too. Freezing 3 small portions for lunch and serving the rest with dinner.
  21. 1 comment removed
  22. Lori
    Tasty tasty!! I swapped the bacon out for ham. So delicious !
    Reply: #62
  23. Anna
    One of my favourites so far :)
    Made the soup as directed & it was perfect. I cubed up a Keto English muffin & threw it in after dishing up to bulk it out a bit....it was delicious & filling!
    Reply: #59
  24. Sue
    I was a little sceptical at first but needed to use up a cauliflower. It was absolutely gorgeous and I'm not the biggest soup fan.
  25. Letica
    I roasted a small cauliflower and then made the soup. I LOVED this recipe. So quick and easy. Roasting the cauliflower gives it more body.
  26. Thea

    How do I find out the nutrition for each recipe? My nutrition “button” under the recipe one does nothing. Thanks

    are you clicking on the + mark to the right of the word nutrition?

  27. 3 comments removed
  28. Emma
    YUM!!!!!!!
    Added the fat from the bacon as suggested by many people. Definitely added that something extra!
  29. 1 comment removed
  30. Alivia
    What is the serving size? A cup?
    Reply: #34
  31. Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor

    What is the serving size? A cup?

    Serving size will vary based on how much your soup reduces as you cook it. That's why we list the number of servings instead.

  32. 2 comments removed
  33. Yvonne
    Just made this, didn’t use nuts but added in some crumbled blue cheese. Was delicious
  34. Julie Radley
    Made this with bacon and pecans absolutely delicious
  35. Amy
    Delicious! I have made this twice and it was wonderful both times. This is a keeper.
    Reply: #40
  36. Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor

    Delicious! I have made this twice and it was wonderful both times. This is a keeper.

    So glad you loved this one!

  37. lise.stemarie
    I didn't follow the recipe to the letter. No blender required for me. I added the pancetta at the end. Loved the chopped cauliflower. I like like better tat way. I didn't add nuts. Honestly, one of the best soups I've ever tasted! I will definitely make this again. Sinful!

    However, six portions gives 3/4 cup per person. Discipline !! I could have eaten half very easily but I was content with my portion. Amazing taste. Bravo!

    Lise

    Reply: #42
  38. Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor

    I didn't follow the recipe to the letter. No blender required for me. I added the pancetta at the end. Loved the chopped cauliflower. I like like better tat way. I didn't add nuts. Honestly, one of the best soups I've ever tasted! I will definitely make this again. Sinful!
    However, six portions gives 3/4 cup per person. Discipline !! I could have eaten half very easily but I was content with my portion. Amazing taste. Bravo!
    Lise

    I also like a little texture in my soup, just a bit :) Content is a good place to be after a meal.

  39. Laura
    This was a pretty good soup. The taste was unexpected, but it was tasty. The topping was especially yummy. I left the soup a little chunky, which I prefer. I made enough for 4 servings and I am freezing the other 3 servings along with the toppings in freezer bags for a future quick meal. Thank you DD for such yummy choices!
    Reply: #44
  40. Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor

    This was a pretty good soup. The taste was unexpected, but it was tasty. The topping was especially yummy. I left the soup a little chunky, which I prefer. I made enough for 4 servings and I am freezing the other 3 servings along with the toppings in freezer bags for a future quick meal. Thank you DD for such yummy choices!

    I am glad that you enjoyed this! Thank you for taking the time to let us know.

  41. Kate Nordin
    Hello there!
    Thanks so much for your feedback. We've listened, re-tested this recipe, and improved it. We hope once you try it again yourself, you'll notice the difference — and love it as much as we do.
    Happy cooking!

    /The recipe team

    P.S. To keep the comments section up-to-date, we've gone ahead and removed any comments regarding the now-resolved issues. Thanks!

  42. Ana
    I am trying to go no dairy. what should I use instead of the cream cheese?
    Reply: #47
  43. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    I am trying to go no dairy. what should I use instead of the cream cheese?

    Hi, Ana! There is a dairy-free cream cheese available now. I believe the brand is Kite Hill.
    You may also be interested in our dairy-free recipe collection! https://strongmetabolism.fit/low-carb/recipes/dairy-free%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E

  44. Laura
    Could you use cheddar cheese in place of the cream cheese?
    Reply: #49
  45. Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor

    Could you use cheddar cheese in place of the cream cheese?

    Hi, Laura! A better sub for cream cheese would be mascarpone, or perhaps ricotta or sour cream. These could affect the flavor of the recipe, though.

  46. Ben Riffey
    Made this tonight-- think it's my favorite soup yet. Slight alterations: Used riced cauliflower and it cut the time and prep hassle way the heck down. Blended perfectly smooth for a nice thick soup, just kept on with the immersion blender until I was satisfied with the texture. Also used bacon instead of pancetta, and it was absolutely delicious.
    Reply: #51
1 2

Leave a reply

Reply to comment #47 by Kerry Merritt