Hearty & Flavorful Cream of Onion Soup with Crispy Bacon | Your Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal

This **Cream Of Onion Soup** recipe is a soul-warming, creamy bacon soup with onion that can be ready for dinner from start to finish in just 45 minutes. It’s the perfect comfort food for cold weather and an ideal solution for busy schedules, offering rich flavor without hours of effort!

Imagine being stranded on a deserted island (the kind without dessert, unfortunately) and having to choose only three ingredients to cook with for survival. What would make your essential list? For me, without a doubt, onions would be at the very top. My love for onions runs deep; a three-pound bag often disappears quicker than you’d expect for one person!

Whether a recipe specifically calls for it or not, I find a way to incorporate extra onion. A simple salad or sandwich is instantly elevated with a generous helping of pickled red onion. When dining out, if I’m not in the mood for fries, onion rings are my go-to side. Give me a BBQ bacon burger piled high with fried onions, or a patty melt overflowing with sweet, caramelized onions, and I am in culinary heaven.

It might sound surprising for an “Italian girl,” but I confess, I often cook with more onion than garlic! This deep appreciation for its versatile flavor profile is precisely why I chose to make the humble onion the undisputed star of this **Cream Of Onion Soup**. While I considered naming it a “Cream of Bacon Soup” given my generous use of crispy bacon, the onion truly shines here.

No matter what you call it, this extraordinary creamy onion soup delivers an incredible depth of flavor. It perfectly combines the savory goodness of tender onions, bathed in a smooth, velvety cream base, with the irresistible smokiness and texture of crispy, rendered bacon. It’s a symphony of flavors that will warm you from the inside out.

Beyond its delicious taste, this soup is a fantastic choice for a quick and easy dinner, coming together from start to finish in a mere 45 minutes. I have a simple, reliable formula for crafting my soups, ensuring they are always flavorful and approachable, regardless of the specific ingredients. To infuse this creamy bacon soup with unparalleled depth, I decided to cook the bacon right in the pot, then leverage its rendered fat to sauté and brown the onions. This strategic move means not only enhanced flavor but also the added bonus of being a true one-pot meal. Fewer pots mean less washing up, and less washing up means more precious time to savor every spoonful of your homemade Cream of Onion Soup!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cream of Onion Soup

Crafting this delightful cream of bacon soup with onion requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in developing its rich and satisfying flavor profile:

• Bacon: The foundation of flavor for this soup. Feel free to use your favorite type – thick-cut adds extra texture, while a leaner cut will yield less fat. Cooking bacon first provides those invaluable drippings for sautéing the onions, adding a layer of smoky depth that truly elevates the dish.
• Onion: Yellow onion is my top recommendation due to its balanced, mild sweetness when cooked, which deepens beautifully. White or Vidalia onions are also excellent choices. While red onions can be used, their stronger, sharper flavor might be a bit too assertive for this creamy soup, though it’s certainly doable if you prefer.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is key for creating the roux, which acts as the thickening agent for the soup, giving it that luxurious, creamy consistency. For a gluten-free alternative, you can substitute cornstarch (see FAQ).
• Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the best in all the ingredients. When dairy is involved, salt is particularly important for balancing and enhancing the overall flavor. I prefer kosher salt for its larger crystals and milder taste.
• Broth: Whether you opt for chicken or vegetable broth, choose a good quality one. The broth forms the liquid base of your soup, so its flavor will significantly impact the final dish. Using a low-sodium option allows for better control over the soup’s saltiness.
• Heavy Cream: This is what gives our “creamy onion soup” its signature richness and velvety smooth texture. There’s truly no substitute for the luxurious mouthfeel heavy cream provides.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a wonderful salty, nutty, and umami note that rounds out the soup beautifully. Avoid the pre-grated green can variety, as it won’t melt as smoothly or provide the same depth of flavor.
• Lemon Juice: This might seem like an unexpected addition, but a touch of fresh lemon juice is the secret ingredient! It beautifully cuts through the richness of the cream and bacon, brightening the entire soup and preventing it from tasting too heavy. Don’t skip it!

How To Make Vegetarian Cream Of Onion Soup

Do you adore onions as much as I do but prefer a vegetarian-friendly option? This rich and flavorful soup can easily be adapted! Here’s how to make it:

• **Skip the Bacon:** Instead of rendering bacon, start by sautéing your onions in 1 tablespoon of high-quality olive oil or butter. This will provide a delicious base without the meat.
• **Vegetable Broth:** Ensure you use a good vegetable broth in place of chicken broth to keep it entirely plant-based.
• **Cheese Alternatives:** For the Parmesan cheese, you can either omit it entirely or use your favorite vegetarian white cheese that melts well, such as shredded mozzarella, Swiss, or a plant-based Parmesan alternative.
• **Added Heartiness:** To bring some of that satisfying “meatiness” back to the soup, consider adding sliced portobello mushrooms when you sauté the onions. They will absorb the flavors and add a wonderful texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Cook Cream Of Onion Soup

Get ready to create this comforting creamy onion soup! Grab your trusty Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot, and let’s dive into the simple steps for a truly delicious result:

1. Prepare the Bacon: Begin by placing your bacon strips in a cold large pot or Dutch oven. Then, turn the heat to medium. Starting with a cold pot allows the bacon fat to render slowly and evenly, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon. Cook on one side until beautifully crisp, then flip and finish cooking the other side. Remove the cooked bacon and place it on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain excess grease. Once cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon and set aside for later. Leave the flavorful bacon drippings in the pot.
2. Sauté the Onions: Add the diced onion to the hot bacon drippings in the pot, along with a generous pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onions have softened and developed a lovely golden-brown color, which typically takes about 10-12 minutes. This browning process is crucial as it caramelizes the natural sugars in the onions, building a deep, savory foundation for your soup.
3. Form the Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour and salt over the softened onions in the pot. Stir well for about 1 minute, allowing the flour to cook out its raw taste and combine with the fat, forming a roux. This will be the thickener for your soup.
4. Whisk in Broth & Thicken: Gradually and slowly whisk in the vegetable or chicken broth into the roux, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, stirring often. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes, or until the soup begins to thicken to your desired consistency.
5. Finish with Cream and Cheese: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream (or whole milk if using), the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and most of the crumbled bacon (saving a little for garnish if desired). Continue stirring gently until the cheese has fully melted into the warm soup, creating a rich and homogenous texture. Finally, stir in the fresh lemon juice. Taste the soup and adjust for salt or any additional seasoning as needed.

Any leftover creamy onion soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, gently warm it in the microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the cream from separating.

What To Serve With Your Cream Of Onion Soup

This rich and comforting Cream of Onion Soup is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few complementary sides to make a truly satisfying spread. Here are some delightful serving suggestions:

• Bread for Dipping: There’s nothing quite like a warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of creamy soup. Consider serving it with small batch dinner rolls, a crusty baguette, or even homemade focaccia.
• Light Green Salad: A fresh and vibrant salad provides a fantastic contrast to the richness of the soup. A simple green onion salad or a mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette would be perfect.
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For the ultimate comfort food pairing, a classic grilled cheese sandwich is a match made in heaven with creamy soup.
• Croutons: Top your soup with homemade or store-bought croutons for added crunch.
• Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley as a garnish can add a touch of color and freshness.

More Easy & Delicious Soup Recipes

If you loved this comforting Cream of Onion Soup, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of my favorite easy and flavorful soup recipes. These are perfect for cozy evenings or quick weeknight meals:

• Kohlrabi Soup
• Stuffed Cabbage Soup
• One Pot Lasagna Soup

First published October 13, 2014