Parmesan Cheese Soufflé Recipe (Ready in 70 Min)

If you've got freshly grated parmesan cheese, low-fat sour cream and cream of tartar, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 70 minutes of cooking across 8 steps. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 8 steps.

You'll mainly reach for oven and saucepan. At medium difficulty across 8 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.

How to make it

Heat the oven to 190C and generously butter a 1.5 litre souffle dish, then dust the inside with a little of the grated parmesan and place on a baking sheet.
Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux without letting it color.
Gradually whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil, then remove from the heat and stir in the salt and cayenne pepper.
Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and the remaining grated parmesan until the base is smooth, and let it cool for a few minutes.
In a clean grease-free bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar to firm but not dry peaks.
Stir a third of the whites into the cheese base to loosen it, then gently fold in the rest in two additions, keeping as much air as possible.
Pour into the prepared dish, run your thumb around the inside rim to help it rise evenly, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until puffed and golden.
Serve immediately, as a souffle will begin to deflate within a few minutes of leaving the oven.

You'll use: Oven · Saucepan · Pan · Whisk · Baking sheet

Ingredient substitutions

Butter: olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
Milk: any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
Parmesan: pecorino · grana padano · aged asiago
Sour Cream: plain Greek yogurt · crème fraîche

Tips & common questions

How long does Parmesan Cheese Soufflé take to make?

About 70 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 8 steps and 10 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.

What can I use instead of butter?

Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.

Can I scale this recipe up or down?

Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.

Is Parmesan Cheese Soufflé vegetarian?

Its ingredients contain no meat or fish, so it's suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheeses for animal rennet if that matters to you.