Cesnecka (Czech Garlic Soup with Cheese and Croutons)
A silky soup with plenty of garlic, caraway and potato, topped with golden croutons and melting cheese.
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 313kcal
- 29.4gcarbs
- 5.1gof which sugars
- 16.9gfat
- 8.6gsaturates
- 12gprotein
- 3gfibre
- 3.8gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Melt the butter in a large pan over a low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for 1 minute until it smells sweet. Do not let it brown or it will taste bitter.
1 min - 2
Add the potatoes, stock, caraway, marjoram and bay. Season well with salt and pepper, bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until the potato is very soft.
15 min - 3
Meanwhile, fry the bread cubes in the oil over a medium heat for 4 minutes, turning often, until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper.
4 min - 4
Remove the bay leaf. Mash the potato roughly in the pan with a masher, so the soup is thick but still has small pieces in it.
- 5
Ladle into bowls. Scatter over the croutons, cheese and parsley and serve while the cheese is still melting.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
