Description
This Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup is a creamy, slightly sweet, and beautifully spiced fall favorite. The roasted squash and apples create a depth of flavor that’s both rustic and elegant, while the toasted pumpkin seeds add the perfect crunch. Perfect for chilly evenings or meal prepping, this vegetarian soup is a must for cozy fall meals.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled and cubed
- 2 apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji recommended), peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- Optional: A small splash of maple syrup for extra sweetness
For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (or shelled pumpkin seeds/pepitas)
- Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Ingredient Notes & Variations:
- Butternut squash: Fresh is best for roasting, but pre-cut is fine.
- Apples: Sweet varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala work best.
- Pumpkin seeds: Shelled seeds also work well and add protein.
- Optional creaminess: Add coconut milk or plain yogurt for a richer texture.
- Flavor add-ins: Ginger, curry powder, smoked paprika, or cumin are great options.
Instructions
- Prep and Roast the Squash and Apples: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread cubed squash and chopped apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 30–40 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until caramelized and fork-tender.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and carrots and cook for about 8 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add Roasted Vegetables and Simmer: Add roasted squash, apples, vegetable broth, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Blend to Creamy Perfection: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the soup to a blender in batches. Blend until smooth and velvety. Add extra broth if the soup is too thick.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and top with toasted pumpkin seeds and fresh herbs. Optionally drizzle with extra olive oil.
Notes
- Roasting the squash enhances depth and sweetness in the soup.
- For creaminess, blend in coconut milk or yogurt.
- Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes to maximize crunch.
- Use sweet apples (like Honeycrisp) for balanced flavor.
- Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding broth if needed.
- Make-ahead: Roast squash and apples the day before. Soup tastes even better the next day!
- Vegan Option: Use vegetable broth and skip dairy-based toppings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Roasted & Blended
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Roasted butternut squash soup, fall apple soup, vegetarian squash soup, creamy fall soups, roasted vegetable soup, butternut squash recipes, comforting fall soup