French Garlic Soup (with Cheesy Crostinis) Recipe
This French Garlic Soup with Cheesy Crostinis is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines a rich, smooth garlic-infused broth with crunchy, cheesy bread slices. Perfect as a starter or a light meal, this recipe balances aromatic herbs, creamy Parmesan, and a silky egg swirl that elevates the soup’s texture and taste.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup, Starter
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Low Salt
Soup Ingredients
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1 small white onion, minced
- 2 heads of garlic (24 cloves), sliced in half
- 2 thyme sprigs, stems discarded
- ½ tsp dried sage
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated + Parmesan rind
- 3 large eggs
Cheesy Crostinis
- ½ baguette (about 12-inch piece), cut diagonally into ⅓-inch slices
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
- Sauté Aromatics: In a pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced onion, sliced garlic, thyme sprigs, dried sage, and a generous pinch of salt. Sauté on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring gently, until the garlic softens but does not brown.
- Add Cornstarch and Broth: Sprinkle in the cornstarch and stir to combine with the aromatics. Pour in the chicken broth and add the Parmesan rind. Stir well and bring to a simmer, allowing it to cook gently for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
- Blend Soup Smooth: Remove the thyme sprigs and Parmesan rind. Use an immersion blender directly in the pot (or transfer carefully to a blender) to puree the soup until completely smooth. Return soup to gentle simmer and then turn off the heat.
- Temper Eggs: In a large bowl or measuring cup, beat the 3 eggs thoroughly. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle about 2–3 cups of the hot soup into the eggs to temper them, preventing curdling.
- Incorporate Egg Mixture: Gradually add the tempered egg mixture back into the pot with the remaining soup. Turn the heat to low-medium and gently bring the soup back to a simmer, stirring constantly. Do not boil to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Prepare Cheesy Crostinis: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the sliced baguette pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with extra virgin olive oil. Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top of each crostini.
- Bake Crostinis: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown and the bread is crisp. If the cheese needs more color, briefly broil for 1–2 minutes while watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Ladle the hot garlic soup into bowls and serve immediately with the warm cheesy crostinis on the side or placed on top for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; roasting the garlic beforehand softens its pungency if preferred.
- The Parmesan rind enhances richness but can be omitted if you don’t have it; substitute with additional grated cheese instead.
- Be careful when adding eggs to the soup; tempering is key to avoid scrambling.
- If you want a thicker soup, increase the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.
- The crostinis can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with 2 crostinis
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: French garlic soup, cheesy crostinis, garlic soup recipe, easy French soup, Parmesan soup, comforting soup, starter recipes