Roast the Garlic:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the individual cloves. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and wrap in aluminum foil. Roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are soft and caramelized. Once done, let it cool slightly and then squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins.
Sauté the Onion:
While the garlic roasts, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
Combine the Ingredients:
Add the roasted garlic (squeezed from the skins) to the pot with the onions. Stir in the broth, heavy cream, and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Blend the Soup:
Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
Finish with Parmesan:
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue simmering for another 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into the soup and thicken the consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serve:
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or a light salad on the side.