Description
Hearty apple butternut squash soup blends autumn’s most comforting flavors with creamy smoothness. Seasonal ingredients and simple techniques create a warming bowl perfect for chilly evenings you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
- 1 (about 3 lbs / 1.36 kg) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 2 apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional garnish)
- Pumpkin seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Roast Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the butternut squash cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet for even caramelization and roast until tender and lightly golden, about 25–30 minutes.
2. Flavor Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Soup Assembly: Add roasted squash, apples, vegetable broth, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the ingredients are very tender, about 15 minutes.
4. Texture Transformation: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth and creamy. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk for a velvety finish.
5. Final Flourish: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh thyme, pumpkin seeds, or a swirl of cream before serving.
6. Serving Suggestion: Serve hot with crusty bread or a golden grilled cheese sandwich for a cozy and comforting meal.
Notes
Roast Squash Strategically: Spread squash cubes evenly on the pan to ensure caramelization and prevent steaming.
Layer Spices Carefully: Add warm spices gradually, tasting as you go to maintain balance.
Blend for Silky Texture: Use immersion blender at multiple angles to achieve smooth, restaurant-quality texture.
Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use all vegetable broth for vegan adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg