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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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