Description
This cozy butternut squash soup is a delicious Panera copycat that features sweet butternut squash, carrots, pumpkin puree, warm spices, and a creamy finish for the perfect fall soup.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about ¾ cup)
- 2 pounds chopped butternut squash (about 6 heaping cups)
- 3 small carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3–4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups apple cider or apple juice (do NOT use apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Dash of nutmeg
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces low-fat (Neufchatel) cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, more to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Heavy cream, optional
Instructions
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, stirring frequently.
2. Add squash, carrots, vegetable broth, apple cider, and spices.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until squash and carrots are soft. Remove from heat and add pumpkin puree, butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar. Puree with a hand (stick) blender or in batches in a normal blender. Blend until very smooth.
4. Taste soup and add salt as desired. You may also add extra brown sugar or honey to achieve a taste closer to Panera’s. Add a little heavy cream if you want a more decadent soup. If desired, add more vegetable broth to thin the soup.
5. Return to burner over medium-low heat, if needed to reheat the soup, and then serve immediately.
Notes
For a truly Panera-style flavor, add a touch more brown sugar and cream at the end. Garnish with roasted pepitas or a drizzle of cream. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for 2 months. To reheat, warm gently over medium-low heat while stirring.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg