This soup is cheesy, creamy, and flavorful! I did a side-by-side taste test and this copycat recipe is right on for Cafe Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower soup!
Try this Wisconsin Cauliflower Zupas copycat recipe!
One of my favorite soups at Cafe Zupas is the Wisconsin Cauliflower. Mmm. This soup is cheesy, creamy, and full of flavor! (Especially if you top it off with bacon, which I highly recommend. Yum.)
I’ve seen a few copycat recipes floating around, but I was determined to find the best one! This is actually quite easy to make, especially since you can choose stovetop or Instant Pot method. One pot either way!
If you want to use this for Weight Watchers, you can get5 points per serving if you use fat free half and half, light butter, and fat free cheese! Easy and still YUMMY!
How to Make Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup Copycat
I prefer making this Zupas Cauliflower Soup copycat in the Instant Pot, but instructions for both methods are included below.
First, sauté the onion in melted butter. Sometimes I pull out my handy food chopper to make quick work of chopping onions. Then whisk in flour, then chicken broth, and add the cauliflower florets.
How Much Cauliflower in Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower Copycat
Usually two medium heads of cauliflower, or a large one and a small one, end up yielding about 2 pounds of florets. However, the easiest way is to do the cauliflower is to just buy a bag of fresh pre-cut, pre-washed, ready-to-go cauliflower florets. 😉
When making this Zupas copycat recipe in the Instant Pot, I add the half & half after the cooking time. Adding it beforehand is more messy when releasing the pressure. I also just go with straight chicken broth instead of a mixture of broth and water.
How to Blend the Zupas Copycat Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup
The easiest way to blend the soup is with an immersion blender right there in the pot! The cauliflower is so soft, especially in the Instant Pot, that it easily blends smooth with an immersion blender.
If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender. Blend the soup in three separate batches and let the blender run for 3o seconds to 1 minute each time. Remove the center of the blender lid to allow steam to escape.
Taste test when you are finished blending to make sure the soup is smooth!
Side by Side Taste Test for the Best Zupas Copycat!
Of course, it was necessary to make a trip over to Zupas in order to do a side-by-side comparison. 😉 I tasted the Wisconsin Cauliflower soup without toppings, made a few tweaks to my recipe, and ended up with what I believe to be an awesome copycat!
While I do enjoy the chocolate-covered strawberry and bread with soups from Zupas, I am super excited to be able to make this Wisconsin Cauliflower soup copycat at home! I love serving this with 1-hour rolls or breadsticks.
Here’s how to cook bacon in the microwave:
- Line a large microwave-safe plate with two paper towels.
- Lay bacon in a single layer on the paper towels. (May be able to fit up to 8 slices.)
- Cover with two more sheets of paper towel.
- Cook in the microwave for 4-6 minutes.
See more of our favorite Instant Pot recipes!
We’ve found a few other awesome copycat recipes from Zupas, Olive Garden, and more. Check out our favorite copycat recipes!
The Best Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup Copycat Recipe
This soup is cheesy, creamy, and flavorful! I did a side-by-side taste test and this copycat recipe is right on for Cafe Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower soup!
4.60 / 5 ( 160 Reviews )
Print Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Serves: 8
Adjust Servings: 8
Equipment
Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 pounds cauliflower florets roughly chopped (5-6 cups)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pint half and half 2 cups
- 1 ½ cups water omit for Instant Pot
- 1 14.5 ounce can reduced sodium chicken broth (3 cups for Instant Pot)
- 1 ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ¾ cup pepper jack cheese shredded
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt to taste
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- bacon crumbles
- shredded cheese
Instructions
Stovetop
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour. Gradually stir in the half and half, water, and chicken broth.
Add the chopped cauliflower and heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Then reduce heat to medium-low and cook until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
Use an immersion blender in the pot and blend until smooth. Or use a regular blender, with the center of the lid removed to allow steam to escape, and blend the soup in batches until smooth. Return it to the pot. Heat soup over medium heat and stir in the Dijon, salt, and cheese; stir until combined and melted. Serve warm with optional toppings.
Instant Pot
On sauté setting, melt butter. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour. Gradually stir in 3 cups chicken broth (instead of water & broth above, and don't add half & half yet).
Add chopped cauliflower. Cook on manual high pressure for 4 minutes. (It will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure first.) Natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
Keep on "keep warm" setting. Pour half & half into pot. Use an immersion blender in the pot and blend until smooth. Stir in the Dijon, salt, and cheese; stir until combined and melted. Add more salt, if needed. Serve warm with optional toppings.
Recipe Notes
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points - 5 with the following modifications: use fat free half and half, light butter, and fat free cheese!
Nutrition
Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 724mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g
Recipe Adapted From: The Recipe Critic
