The Perfect Butternut Squash Soup Recipe for Cozy Fall Nights

Butternut squash soup embodies autumn’s warmth in every spoonful, crafting humble ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience.

Creamy and subtly sweet, this vibrant soup captures seasonal comfort with remarkable elegance.

Rich golden hues hint at the deep, earthy flavors waiting to unfold on your palate.

Nutritious and satisfying, the soup blends smooth textures with complex undertones that dance between sweet and savory.

Ingredients merge harmoniously, creating a balanced symphony of taste that feels both familiar and exciting.

Robust and nourishing, each serving promises a delightful journey through fall’s most cherished flavors.

Why Butternut Squash Soup Feels Like Fall in a Bowl

• Savor Comforting Warmth: This butternut squash soup wraps you in a cozy blanket of rich, velvety goodness perfect for chilly evenings, delivering deep autumn flavors that instantly soothe and satisfy.
• Elevate with Simple Sophistication: By layering herbs like thyme and sage, plus subtle spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, the recipe transforms basic ingredients into an elegant, restaurant-worthy dish without complex techniques.
• Quick and Nutritious Meal Solution: Packed with vitamins from butternut squash, offering a balanced nutritional profile with moderate calories, protein, and fiber, this soup provides a wholesome meal ready in under an hour with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize with Delightful Toppings: Crispy caramelized onions and crunchy bacon bits add textural excitement, allowing personal creativity and turning each serving into a unique culinary experience that keeps taste buds intrigued.

All the Cozy Ingredients in Butternut Squash Soup

• Butternut Squash: Sweet and creamy winter squash that forms the heart of the soup, best when ripe and deep orange in color.
• Milk: Adds smooth, rich texture and helps create a velvety consistency.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth of flavor and additional liquid for cooking.

• Garlic: Adds robust, sharp flavor to enhance the soups overall taste, fresh cloves are most potent.
• Thyme, Sage: Woody herbs that complement the butternut squash with earthy and slightly peppery notes.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance the soups flavors.
• Nutmeg, Cinnamon: Warm spices that add subtle sweetness and complexity to the soup.

• Onions: Caramelized to add sweetness and depth, best when slowly cooked until golden.
• Sugar: Helps onions caramelize and develop a rich, sweet flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a smooth base to cooking.
• Bacon Bits: Crispy topping that provides a salty, smoky crunch.

How to Make This Velvety, Comforting Soup

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

• Minced garlic
• Thyme
• Sage

Season with salt and pepper, allowing the herbs to release their fragrant aroma.

Step 2: Create Soup Mixture

• Mashed squash
• Milk
• Chicken broth

Sprinkle in nutmeg and cinnamon. Stir thoroughly and blend ingredients well. Adjust seasoning to taste. Simmer gently for 25-30 minutes.

Step 3: Caramelize Onions

• Sugar
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook until onions soften and turn golden brown.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

• Crispy caramelized onion pieces
• Crumbled bacon bits

Serve hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this homemade butternut squash soup.

Tips for Rich Flavor in Every Spoonful

• Roast Squash First: Enhance the soup's flavor by roasting butternut squash with olive oil and herbs before blending, which caramelizes natural sugars and deepens the taste.
• Choose Fresh Herbs: Select fresh thyme and sage instead of dried to provide more vibrant, robust aromatics that elevate the soup's overall complexity.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust chicken broth and milk quantities carefully to achieve your desired soup thickness, adding liquid gradually while stirring.
• Blend Smoothly: Use an immersion blender or standard blender to puree the soup until completely silky, removing any potential lumps for a professional texture.
• Garnish Strategically: Layer crispy bacon and caramelized onion garnishes just before serving to maintain their crunchiness and provide delightful textural contrast.

How to Store and Reheat Without Losing Creaminess

• Refrigeration: Transfer your delicious butternut squash soup into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to preserve the rich, comforting flavors and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in.
• Freezing: Carefully pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring you label the container with the date. Pro tip: Avoid adding cream or bacon before freezing to maintain the best texture.
• Reheating: Gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. For frozen soup, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Pair This Soup with Bread, Salads & Seasonal Sips

• Complement with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, freshly baked sourdough or rustic whole wheat bread to dip into the creamy butternut squash soup. The crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly balance the soup's smooth texture.
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Uncork a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer to enhance the soup's sweet and earthy notes. These wines offer a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the butternut squash.
• Match with Roasted Autumn Salad: Create a side salad featuring mixed greens, roasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a light vinaigrette. The salad's crunch and tangy dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the soup's creamy warmth.
• Serve with Maple-Glazed Bacon: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits infused with a touch of maple syrup on top of the soup. The smoky, sweet flavor complements the butternut squash's natural sweetness and adds a delightful textural element.

Butternut Soup Variations That Keep Things Fresh

• Roasted Veggie Blend: Replace butternut squash with a mix of roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips for a colorful and nutrient-packed soup variation.
• Coconut Curry Infusion: Swap milk with coconut milk and add curry powder, ginger, and turmeric for a warm, spicy Southeast Asian-inspired version.
• Creamy Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and stir in cashew cream for a rich, plant-based alternative that maintains the soup's luxurious texture.
• Herb Garden Boost: Incorporate fresh rosemary and chives, and garnish with crispy kale chips instead of bacon for a vibrant, green-forward profile that celebrates seasonal herbs.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Butternut squash soup offers a luxurious embrace of autumn’s warmth, blending silky roasted squash with aromatic herbs and creamy texture. Comfort flows through each spoonful, inviting diners to savor seasonal richness that warms from within.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables and Squash:

• 2 large onions (sliced thin)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ large butternut squash (cooked, mashed)
• ½ large acorn squash (cooked, mashed)

Liquids and Dairy:

• 1 can chicken broth (14 ounces / 414 milliliters)
• 1 can evaporated milk (14 ounces / 414 milliliters)

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon sage
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Olive oil (for sautéing)
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• Few slices of bacon (cooked crisp and crumbled)

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over low heat. Add minced garlic, fresh thyme, and sage, releasing their aromatic essence while seasoning with salt and black pepper to enhance the foundational flavors.
2. Incorporate roasted butternut squash puree into the pan, stirring carefully with whole milk and chicken broth. Dust the mixture with ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon, creating a complex flavor profile. Blend ingredients thoroughly and allow the soup to simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
3. Simultaneously, prepare caramelized onions in a separate skillet. Drizzle olive oil (15 milliliters) and cook onions over medium-low temperature. Sprinkle a teaspoon (5 grams) of granulated sugar while seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until onions transform into golden, translucent strands with slightly crispy edges.
4. When serving, ladle the velvety soup into individual bowls. Garnish generously with the caramelized onion strips and crisp bacon pieces, adding textural contrast and rich, savory notes to this comforting autumn dish.

Notes

• Carefully roasting butternut squash beforehand concentrates its natural sugars, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile for the soup.
• Experimenting with different herbs like rosemary or thyme can transform the soup’s aromatic complexity and personal signature.
• Achieving the perfect soup consistency depends on slowly simmering ingredients and periodically tasting to balance seasonings.
• Topping the soup with crispy bacon bits and caramelized onions adds delightful texture and unexpected crunch to each spoonful.
• Storing leftover soup in airtight containers allows flavors to meld and develop even more intensely over the next few days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 15mg