Spinach-Artichoke Soup Recipe
This Spinach-Artichoke Soup is a creamy and flavorful blend of tender spinach and artichoke hearts simmered with aromatic herbs and a hint of lemon. Perfect as a comforting starter or light meal, it can be made dairy-free or richer with Parmesan cheese, offering a versatile, nourishing option that is quick to prepare and packed with fresh ingredients.
- Author: Amy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (halal-certified)
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Seasonings and Thickeners
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 1 tablespoon flour (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Heat the Olive Oil: In a large pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Sauté Spinach and Artichokes: Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 3-4 minutes. Then add the chopped artichokes and stir for an additional 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add the Broth and Simmer: Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Add the Milk and Continue Simmering: Stir in the almond milk or whole milk and simmer the soup for another 5 minutes to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Season the Soup: Mix in the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, dried thyme, and dried basil. Adjust seasoning to taste. If a thicker soup is desired, blend 1 tablespoon of flour with a little broth to create a slurry and add it to the soup, then simmer for a few more minutes.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for a bright, fresh finish. This step is optional but recommended.
- Blend the Soup (Optional): For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer soup in batches to a blender and blend until creamy. Return blended soup to the pot and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Using almond milk makes this soup dairy-free; omit Parmesan cheese for a vegan-friendly version.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth for a non-vegetarian variation.
- To thicken the soup without flour, simmer longer to reduce liquid or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on the broth’s sodium content.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried if preferred: use about 1 tablespoon fresh in place of dried thyme and basil.
- The lemon juice brightens the soup but can be omitted if you prefer a milder flavor.
Keywords: Spinach Artichoke Soup, creamy spinach soup, healthy soup recipe, vegetarian soup, halal soup recipe, easy stovetop soup, dairy-free soup option