Cozy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Chilly autumn winds sweep through kitchens, carrying the warm, comforting aroma of butternut squash soup that promises to soothe weary souls.

Vibrant orange hues and velvety smooth textures dance together in this hearty recipe that celebrates seasonal produce.

The rich, nutty essence of roasted butternut squash creates a luxurious base for a deeply satisfying meal.

Creamy and delicate, this soup brings together simple ingredients that sing with robust flavors.

Aromatic herbs and a touch of cream elevate each spoonful into a culinary embrace.

Nourishing and elegant, this soup transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

You’ll find this recipe becoming a cherished autumn tradition at your table.

Ingredients for Butternut Squash Soup Bliss

Main Ingredients:

• Butternut Squash: Sweet and hearty winter squash with creamy texture.
• Onion: Aromatic base that adds depth to the soup.
• Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetable with mild sweet flavor.
• Celery: Crisp vegetable that provides subtle herbal notes.
• Garlic: Powerful flavor enhancer with robust character.

• Paprika: Warm and slightly sweet red spice.
• Cayenne Pepper: Spicy kick that brings heat to the dish.
• Cumin: Earthy spice with rich aromatic profile.
• Thyme: Delicate herb with woodsy undertones.
• Rosemary: Fragrant herb with pine-like essence.

• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking oil with rich flavor.
• Chicken Stock, Vegetable Stock: Flavorful liquid base for the soup.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced taste.

• Pepitas, Red Chili Flakes, Fresh Parsley: Crunchy and fresh finishing touches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Butternut Squash Soup

Step 1: Sauté The Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

• Butternut squash
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Celery

Sprinkle with salt and stir occasionally during 10-12 minutes of cooking.

Step 2: Awaken The Spices

• Garlic
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Cumin
• Thyme
• Rosemary

Cook for 2 minutes to release their deep, warm flavors.

Step 3: Liquid Magic

Pour chicken or vegetable stock into the pot.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Cook for 20 minutes until vegetables become super tender.

Step 4: Smooth Transformation

Purée the soup using an immersion blender until completely smooth.

If using a standard blender, carefully transfer in batches and return to pot.

Step 5: Fine-Tune The Flavor

Taste and adjust seasonings.

Add more stock if soup seems too thick.

Simmer an additional 5 minutes to marry all flavors together.

Step 6: Beautiful Finishing Touches

• Toasted pepitas
• Red chili flakes
• Fresh chopped parsley

Enjoy your comforting, velvety soup immediately!

Helpful Tips for Silky Butternut Soup

• Sauté butternut squash and vegetables longer to develop deeper, richer flavor profiles and create a delicious golden-brown base for your soup.
• Toast spices briefly in the pot to release their essential oils, intensifying the overall aroma and creating a more complex taste experience.
• Use an immersion blender for easier cleanup, or carefully transfer soup to a standard blender in small batches to achieve a perfectly creamy texture.
• Swap chicken stock with vegetable stock or water to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly, and use dairy-free alternatives for added dietary adaptability.
• Adjust soup thickness by adding more stock or water, ensuring the perfect texture that suits your personal preference and comfort level.

Storing and Warming Butternut Squash Soup

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then warm in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water or stock to restore original consistency.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even heating and prevent hot spots.

What to Serve With Butternut Squash Soup

• Elevate Taste Companions: Wine Pairings
• Select a crisp and slightly buttery Chardonnay to complement the soup's creamy texture and subtle spice profile, creating a harmonious balance between the wine's oak notes and the butternut squash's natural sweetness.
• Bread Sidekick Strategy
• Serve warm, crusty sourdough bread with herbed compound butter to enhance the soup's depth, providing a delightful contrast in texture and absorbing the rich, spiced flavors of the butternut squash.
• Protein-Packed Accent
• Garnish with crispy pancetta or prosciutto bits to introduce a salty, crunchy element that cuts through the soup's velvety consistency and adds a luxurious protein dimension to the dish.
• Herbal Freshness Boost
• Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves or chives on top to introduce a bright, verdant note that lifts the soup's earthy undertones and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, robust spices.

Tasty Variations of Butternut Squash Soup

• Vegan Butternut Squash Soup: Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock and omit any dairy. Add nutritional yeast for extra depth and creaminess. Top with roasted pumpkin seeds and fresh herbs.
• Coconut Curry Variation: Incorporate coconut milk for a rich, creamy texture. Add yellow curry powder and ginger for a warming, aromatic flavor profile. Garnish with cilantro and a drizzle of coconut cream.
• Roasted Vegetable Edition: Roast butternut squash, onions, and bell peppers in the oven before adding to the soup for deeper caramelized flavors. Enhance with smoked paprika and a touch of maple syrup for complexity.
• Protein-Packed Option: Stir in cooked white beans or chickpeas during the blending stage for added protein and texture. Sprinkle with hemp seeds and serve with a side of quinoa for a complete meal.

FAQs

• What type of squash works best for this recipe?

Butternut squash is ideal due to its sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture. It blends smoothly and provides a rich base for the soup.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock. The recipe is easily adaptable for vegetarian diets without compromising flavor.

• How do I know when the vegetables are properly sautéed?

The vegetables should be soft and develop light caramelization at the bottom of the pot. This takes about 10-12 minutes over medium heat, and you’ll see a golden-brown color developing.

• Is an immersion blender necessary for this recipe?

No, you can use a standard blender or food processor. Just be careful when transferring hot soup and blend in batches to prevent accidents.

What Makes Butternut Squash Soup So Comforting

• Boost Your Comfort: Indulge in a heartwarming bowl of soup that wraps you in cozy flavors, perfect for soothing your soul on any day.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Whip up this delicious soup with simple steps and minimal kitchen skills, making it an ideal recipe for both novice and experienced cooks.
• Nutrient-Packed Goodness: Packed with vegetables and warming spices, this butternut squash soup delivers a powerful punch of vitamins and immune-boosting ingredients that nourish your body.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable for various dietary needs, this soup can be easily modified to be vegetarian or vegan, making it a fantastic option for diverse gatherings and family meals.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy butternut squash soup delivers autumn’s warmth in one comforting bowl. Rich seasonal flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this silky, nourishing classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 lb (1.36 kg) butternut squash, peeled, chopped, seeds removed
• 4 cups (0.95 liters) chicken stock (or vegetable stock for a vegetarian option)
• 1 large onion, chopped (white or yellow)

Aromatics and Spices:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large bell pepper, chopped (or jalapeno for a spicier version)
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons paprika (hot paprika preferred)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Seasoning:

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes:

• Toasted pepitas
• Red chili flakes
• Fresh chopped parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat a large pot over medium heat and drizzle olive oil to coat the bottom. Introduce chopped butternut squash, onion, bell pepper, and celery into the pot. Sprinkle with a delicate layer of salt and allow vegetables to sauté, stirring intermittently, until they become tender and develop a golden-brown caramelized base, approximately 10-12 minutes.
2. Incorporate minced garlic and an aromatic blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, and rosemary. Stir constantly to awaken the spices and release their intense fragrance, cooking for roughly 2 minutes.
3. Stream chicken or vegetable stock into the vegetable mixture. Elevate the heat to trigger a boiling point, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Let the liquid meld with vegetables for about 20 minutes, ensuring the ingredients become completely soft and infused.
4. Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender to create a silky, uniform consistency. If an immersion blender is unavailable, carefully transfer the mixture to a standard blender or food processor, puréeing in small batches before returning to the pot.
5. Conduct a flavor assessment, adjusting salt and pepper to personal preference. Modulate the soup’s thickness by introducing additional stock or water until reaching an ideal, luxurious consistency. Allow the soup to simmer an extra 5 minutes, intensifying its complex flavor profile.
6. Present the soup in warm bowls, embellishing with a sprinkle of toasted pepitas, a dash of red chili flakes for subtle heat, and a garnish of freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately to capture the soup’s vibrant essence.

Notes

• Boost vegetable caramelization by ensuring your pot is hot enough before adding ingredients, creating deeper flavor profiles.
• Swap chicken stock with vegetable stock or water for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, robust taste.
• Control soup thickness by gradually adding liquid during blending, allowing you to customize texture from silky smooth to rustic chunky.
• Elevate nutrition by roasting butternut squash beforehand, which concentrates natural sweetness and adds smoky undertones to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg