Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved (can substitute white or portobello mushrooms)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Soup Liquid and Creaminess
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth, divided
- 1 cup white rice
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt butter and heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 15 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it.
- Sauté mushrooms: Add halved mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and continue cooking for 5 more minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and become caramelized.
- Add thyme: Stir in fresh or dried thyme and cook for another minute to infuse flavor.
- Set aside portion of mushrooms: Remove about one-third of the cooked mushrooms and set aside for garnishing later.
- Blend mixture: Remove the pot from heat, transfer the remaining mushroom mixture into a high-powered blender or food processor. Add 2 cups of chicken broth to aid blending and process until smooth.
- Return to pot and boil: Pour the pureed mixture back into the Dutch oven. Place over high heat, add the remaining broth, and bring the soup to a boil.
- Cook rice: Stir in the white rice, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
- Add dairy and cheese: Stir in the milk, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese. Let the soup cook for an additional 6 to 8 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken slightly.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls, top with the reserved mushrooms, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit parmesan or use a vegetarian cheese substitute.
- You can substitute cremini mushrooms with white button mushrooms or portobello, depending on availability and taste preference.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth slightly or add an extra ¼ cup of rice.
- This soup stores well and tastes great the next day – refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For extra flavor, a splash of white wine can be added while sautéing mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt