Easy Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup Recipe

This quick meal is ready in only 30 minutes! Best of all, it's made with jarred peppers and other pantry staples for convenience. My husband calls it “easy, fancy comfort food” and always asks for seconds!

For more comfort food, try my Slow Cooker Beef & Pinto Bean Chili or 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry. They’re perfect dinners for chilly nights in. Now, let’s simmer some soup!

This easy, roasted red pepper gouda soup is a velvety, smoky bowl of goodness! We can't get enough of it.

30-minute meal: It's often faster than getting food delivered or take-out.

Pantry-friendly: No crazy ingredients here. Just veggies, broth, dried herbs, milk, and cheese.

Crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves a hearty bowl of homemade soup.

Versatile: Make it spicy, give it a tomatoey twist, and or turn it into a vegan recipe.

This creamy red pepper soup transforms simple ingredients into bold flavors! Scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe with ingredient amounts.

• Roasted red peppers: Usually sold in jars or cans.
• Onion: I prefer white or yellow onions, but red works too.
• Garlic: Feel free to use ¼-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder instead.
• Potato: Acts as a natural thickening agent. Use your favorite variety.
• Broth: Vegetable broth or chicken broth/chicken stock is best.
• Whole milk: Swap for heavy cream for a richer flavor.
• Gouda Cheese: Aged gouda or regular Gouda are great swaps. You can also use sharp cheddar.
• Smoked paprika: Boosts the smoky flavor. Regular paprika is milder, but it works just as well.
• Dried thyme & oregano: Add natural herbiness. Feel free to swap them for ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning.
• Olive oil: Avocado oil, canola, coconut, and even vegetable oil are okay too.
• Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are best.
• Parsley: Fresh basil is an alternative. You may also skip it.
• Croutons: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade ones.

See recipe card for quantities.

This silky roasted red pepper soup with hints of paprika is the perfect cozy meal when it's cold outside! Sauté, simmer, and blend for the best soup you've made all winter.

1. Step 1: Drain the roasted red bell peppers from the jar and chop them into small pieces.

2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

3. Step 3: Stir in the chopped roasted red peppers, diced potato, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and oregano. Cook for 2–3 minutes, then pour in the broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking until the potato is fork-tender, about 10–12 minutes.

4. Step 4: Remove the pot from heat and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or by carefully blending in batches. Return the soup to the pot, stir in the milk or cream, and slowly add the shredded Gouda, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and serve warm with parsley, croutons, or a drizzle of cream if desired.

This comforting roasted red pepper gouda soup is perfect for customizing depending on what you have at home! Try these yummy twists:

Spicy kick: Add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or chili powder for some heat.

Make it vegan: Use vegetable broth, unsweetened coconut milk, and vegan cheese to prepare this recipe.

Tomatoey twist: Sauté 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1-2 chopped, sun-dried tomatoes with the onions for a tomato soup-like flavor.

Swap the potato: Swap the potato for 1-2 cups diced sweet potatoes or butternut squash for extra natural sweetness.

This comfort food soup is a cozy winter day meal! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy it:

• With crusty bread or grilled cheese for dipping.
• Pair with Garlic Roasted Green Beans or Butternut Squash Feta Salad as sides.
• Serve as part of a dinner party spread with my Creamy Cucumber Pepper Salad and Sweet Potato Black Bean Curry.
• With my Greek Chicken & Feta Meatballs for a hearty dinner.
• Enjoy as a quick meal with a simple green salad.

This creamy soup reheats beautifully! Here’s how to keep it fresh for longer:

Refrigerator

In an airtight container for 4–5 days. Discard immediately if bubbling when cold or if it tastes sour.

Freezer

Up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in serving-size portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge. You may have to re-blend it briefly if the mixture separates.

These simple tips and tricks ensure a perfect bowl of this veggie-loaded soup every time:

Don’t boil: After adding the cheese, be careful not to boil the soup, as this can cause it to separate. Keep it at a low simmer.

Adjust the consistency: If you're not serving the soup right away, it may thicken. You can always adjust the consistency by adding a splash of milk.

Make it super smooth: For an ultra-smooth texture, you can strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve after blending.

Save the oil: Most jarred roasted peppers are stored in oil. Save it and use it for your pasta sauces. It adds great flavor!

Watch the garlic: Stir continuously once you add it to the pot to prevent it from burning. Burnt garlic has a very bitter flavor.

Here’s what other comfort food-lovers and soup enthusiasts are asking about this roasted red pepper gouda soup!

Yes! Roast red bell peppers yourself for a deeper flavor.

Absolutely! Use plant-based milk/cream and vegan cheese.

Shredded chicken or chickpeas are great options for this.

Simmer the soup for longer, or add an extra potato to the recipe.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Easy Greek Chicken and Feta Baked Meatballs Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Best Slow Cooker Chili With Beef and Pinto Beans

Easy 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry (Vegan Dinner in Minutes)

Sweet Potato Black Bean Coconut Curry (Easy One-Pot Recipe)

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup recipe:

Easy Oven-Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon

Easy Roasted Beets & Carrots with Maple Orange Glaze

Easy Roasted Parsnips and Carrots with Herbs – Perfect Side for Any Season

Spicy Creamed Corn Recipe with Jalapeño (Easy Holiday Sides)

This roasted red pepper gouda soup is our favorite way to enjoy the soup season! Share your creations on social media with Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more soup recipes and recipe cards!