Description
A warm and creamy French vegetable soup inspired by the beloved Ratatouille movie. With earthy mushrooms, tender potatoes, sweet leeks, and fragrant fresh herbs, this rustic soup delivers comforting flavors in just 35 minutes. Perfect for cozy family dinners, date nights, or an elegant starter for guests—with easy vegan and dairy-free swaps
Ingredients
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2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
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2 yellow onions, chopped
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2 leeks (white parts only, ~1 cup / 100 g), rinsed well
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3 garlic cloves, chopped
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8 oz (250 g) brown mushrooms, chopped
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3 cups (300 g) potatoes, peeled and cubed (~10 oz)
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1 tsp salt
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Pinch of black pepper
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5 cups (1.15 liters) vegetable or chicken broth
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½ cup (115 ml) dry white wine (optional)
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1 sprig fresh thyme, chopped
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1 sprig fresh parsley, chopped
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1 sprig fresh marjoram
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1 sprig fresh lemon balm
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1 cup (40 g) grated parmesan or nutritional yeast (vegan option)
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½ cup (115 ml) heavy cream or plant-based cream
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and leeks; sauté 3–5 minutes until softened.
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Add garlic and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes until mushrooms are golden.
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Stir in potatoes, broth, wine (if using), and all fresh herbs. Cover and simmer 15–20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
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Remove herb stems. Stir in parmesan (or nutritional yeast) and cream (or plant-based cream) until smooth.
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Allow soup to cool slightly. Blend with an immersion or standard blender for a creamy texture, or partially blend for a chunkier, rustic style.
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Reheat if needed, garnish with extra parmesan, herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve hot.
Notes
Rinse leeks thoroughly to remove hidden dirt.
Skip the wine if preferred—broth alone still yields rich flavor.
For a vegan version, use nutritional yeast and plant-based cream.
Freeze before adding cream for best texture; stir cream in when reheating.
A drizzle of truffle oil or a sprinkle of fresh herbs elevates presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French