Roasted butternut squash soup

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Deep, Rich Flavor: Roasting the butternut squash enhances its natural sweetness and adds a caramelized depth to the soup.
  • Simple Ingredients: Made with common pantry staples and fresh produce, this recipe doesn’t require any hard-to-find ingredients.
  • Versatile and Adaptable: Easily adjust the seasonings or add complementary flavors to suit your taste preferences.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors deepen over time, making it an excellent option for meal prep or leftovers.

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash (approximately 3½ to 4 pounds)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chopped sage
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
  • Homemade croutons for garnish (optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare Vegetables:
    • Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Set the seeds aside for roasting later.
    • Peel the onion and cut it into large pieces.
    • Slice the top off the head of garlic, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and wrap it tightly in foil.
  3. Season and Roast:
    • Place the butternut squash halves and onion pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
    • Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, chopped sage, and thyme leaves.
    • Place the wrapped garlic on the baking sheet as well.
    • Roast in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender.
  4. Roast the Seeds:
    • While the vegetables are roasting, rinse the reserved squash seeds to remove any pulp.
    • Pat them dry, toss with a bit of olive oil and salt, and spread them on a separate baking sheet.
    • After the vegetables are done, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (176°C) and roast the seeds for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Blend the Soup:
    • Once the roasted vegetables are cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh from the butternut squash and squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins.
    • Place the roasted squash, garlic, and onions into a large pot.
    • Add the vegetable broth and use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the mixture to a regular blender in batches and blend until smooth.
  6. Heat and Serve:
    • Heat the pureed soup over medium-low heat until warmed through.
    • Stir in the heavy cream if using, and adjust the seasoning to taste.
    • Serve hot, garnished with roasted squash seeds and homemade croutons if desired.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: Approximately 1 hour

Variations

  • Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Herb Substitutions: If you don’t have fresh sage or thyme, dried versions can be used. Alternatively, rosemary or a pinch of nutmeg can add a different flavor profile.
  • Vegan Option: Replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to keep the soup dairy-free and vegan.
  • Add Sweetness: Incorporate a half cup of applesauce or a few roasted carrots to add a touch of natural sweetness.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: This soup freezes well. Place cooled soup in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl until warm.

FAQs

How can I make this soup ahead of time?

You can prepare the soup up to 3 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop when ready to serve.

Can I use pre-cut butternut squash?

Yes, using pre-cut squash can save time. Toss the pieces with olive oil and seasonings, then roast as directed.


Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Roasted butternut squash soup


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This roasted butternut squash soup is a creamy, comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Roasting enhances the squash’s natural sweetness, creating a rich and velvety soup with deep, caramelized flavors. Made with simple ingredients like onion, garlic, fresh herbs, and vegetable broth, this easy soup is perfect for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and can be customized for vegan or spiced variations.


Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash ( to 4 pounds)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chopped sage
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
  • Homemade croutons for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare Vegetables:

  • Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds (set them aside for roasting later).
  • Peel and roughly chop the onion.
  • Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and wrap it tightly in foil.

3. Season and Roast:

  • Place the squash halves and onion on the baking sheet.
  • Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, sage, and thyme.
  • Place the wrapped garlic on the sheet.
  • Roast for 45 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender.

4. Roast the Seeds (Optional):

  • While the vegetables are roasting, rinse and dry the reserved squash seeds.
  • Toss with olive oil and salt, then spread on a separate baking sheet.
  • After removing the vegetables, reduce oven temperature to 350°F (176°C) and roast seeds for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway.

5. Blend the Soup:

  • Once the vegetables have cooled slightly, scoop out the squash flesh and squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins.
  • Transfer squash, garlic, and onion to a large pot.
  • Add vegetable broth and use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. (Alternatively, blend in batches using a standard blender.)

6. Heat and Serve:

  • Heat the soup over medium-low heat until warmed through.
  • Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Serve hot, garnished with roasted squash seeds and croutons.

Notes

  • Spicy Variation: Add cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Vegan Option: Use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream.
  • Herb Swaps: Try rosemary or a pinch of nutmeg.
  • Extra Sweetness: Blend in roasted carrots or applesauce.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Roasting & Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star