Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup with Cheesy Toasties and Bacon 🥓🧀

Looking for the ultimate comfort food? This Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup with Cheesy Toasties and Bacon is everything you need on a chilly day. Bursting with rich, earthy mushrooms, sweet caramelized onions, and smoky bacon, this soup is hearty and packed with flavor. Pair it with gooey cheese toasties for dipping, and you’ve got the perfect cozy meal to warm your soul.

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Why This Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite

The combination of savory mushrooms, buttery caramelized onions, and crispy bacon creates an irresistible depth of flavor. Adding cheesy toasties takes this meal to the next level—perfect for dipping or enjoying on the side. It’s easy to make yet feels indulgent, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or a relaxing weekend meal.

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Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Soup Recipe

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 slices bacon, chopped 🥓
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced 🧅
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 lb (450g) mushrooms (button, cremini, or shiitake), sliced 🍄
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme) 🌿
• Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)

For the Cheesy Toasties:

• 4 slices crusty bread (baguette or sourdough works well)
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère, Swiss, or sharp cheddar cheese 🧀
• 2 tbsp butter

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Instructions

Cook the Bacon:

1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.

Caramelize the Onions:
2. Add butter and olive oil to the pot with the bacon fat. Stir in the sliced onions and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized, about 20–25 minutes.

Cook the Mushrooms:
3. Increase the heat to medium. Add the garlic and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for 8–10 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and their juices are released.

Deglaze and Simmer:
4. Pour in the white wine, scraping the pot to release any browned bits. Let the wine reduce for about 3–4 minutes. Add the broth, thyme, and cooked bacon. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15–20 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, if desired, for a richer finish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare the Cheesy Toasties:
5. Preheat the broiler. Butter one side of each bread slice and place on a baking sheet, buttered side down. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously on top. Broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve:
6. Ladle the soup into bowls, topping with crispy bacon pieces. Serve with cheesy toasties on the side or placed on top of the soup for dipping. Enjoy!

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Tips for Success

• Choose the Right Mushrooms: A mix of cremini, button, and shiitake adds depth, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
• Don’t Rush the Onions: Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to their sweet, rich flavor.
• Cheese It Up: Gruyère is a top choice for its nutty, melty quality, but sharp cheddar also works wonderfully.
• Wine Optional: The dry white wine adds complexity but can be skipped for a family-friendly version.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This soup is a bowl of pure comfort. The richness of the caramelized onions and mushrooms, the smokiness of the bacon, and the gooey cheese toasties make it feel like a warm hug in food form. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but fancy enough to impress guests.

Pair it with a glass of red wine or warm cider, and you’ve got the ultimate cozy meal. Try it out, and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!