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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Roasted butternut squash soup
- 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 (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)
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