Butternut Squash Soup with butternut squash, onion and garlic — USA recipe

USA

📝Useful tips

Sergei Martynov

The squash needs to go in cut-side down. That direct contact with the hot pan is what caramelises the sugars and gives the soup its colour and depth. Cut-side up just steams it.

💡

If you have a Parmesan rind, add it to the pot when you heat the blended soup. Fish it out before serving. It adds a quiet savoury note that's hard to identify but noticeable.

Soups

Butternut Squash Soup

Name: Butternut Squash Soup
Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 42 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 kg butternut squash, halved and seeds removed; 1 medium onion, roughly chopped; 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled; 3 tbsp olive oil; 800 ml vegetable broth; 100 ml heavy cream or coconut milk; 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, for serving; 1 tbsp fresh sage leaves, for serving

By Sergei Martynov

🌿Vegetarian 🌾Gluten-free

Roasted butternut squash blended with garlic, onion, and a touch of cream. Roasting is what separates a deep, caramelised soup from a flat one — don't skip it.

⏱️

Minutes

👥

Servings

🔥

210

kcal

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Ingredients Instructions Comments Related Recipes

Key Ingredients

butternut squash medium onion garlic cloves

What you'll need

Ingredients

butternut squash, halved and seeds removed
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1.5 kg
medium onion, roughly chopped
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1
garlic cloves, unpeeled
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4
olive oil
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3 tbsp
vegetable broth
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800 ml
heavy cream or coconut milk
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100 ml
ground nutmeg
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0.5 tsp
smoked paprika
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0.5 tsp
salt
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1 tsp
black pepper
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0.5 tsp
pumpkin seeds, for serving
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2 tbsp
fresh sage leaves, for serving
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1 tbsp

How to make it

Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Place squash halves cut-side down on a lined baking sheet. Add the onion chunks and unpeeled garlic cloves alongside. Drizzle everything with olive oil.
2
Roast for 40–50 minutes until the squash flesh is completely tender and the cut edges have browned. The browning is flavour — don't pull it out early.
3
Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Scoop the squash flesh into a blender or large pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skins and add it in. Add the onion.
4
Pour in the broth and blend until completely smooth. For the silkiest result, use a countertop blender rather than an immersion blender. Work in batches if needed and hold the lid down with a folded kitchen towel.
5
Pour the blended soup into a pot over medium heat. Stir in the cream or coconut milk, nutmeg, and smoked paprika. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
6
Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Serve topped with pumpkin seeds and crispy fried sage leaves.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my butternut squash soup turn out watery and bland instead of rich and creamy?

Almost always because the squash wasn't roasted first. Raw squash boiled directly in broth releases water and produces a flat, slightly starchy result. Roasting at 200°C concentrates the sugars and caramelises the edges — that's where the depth comes from. Also check your fat: without cream, coconut milk, or at least a tablespoon of butter stirred in at the end, the soup will stay thin and one-dimensional.

How long to roast butternut squash for soup and at what temperature?

200°C for 40 to 50 minutes, cut-side down on a lined baking sheet. The squash is ready when a fork slides into the flesh without resistance and the underside has visibly browned. If you're cutting the squash into cubes instead, 25 to 30 minutes at the same temperature works — flip once halfway through. Don't worry about dark edges; that's exactly what you want.

What can I substitute for cream in butternut squash soup to make it vegan or dairy-free?

Full-fat coconut milk is the best option — it gives similar creaminess and a mild sweetness that works well with squash. Oat milk produces a more neutral result. You can also skip dairy entirely; well-roasted squash blends silky enough on its own. If using Greek yogurt, stir it into individual bowls rather than the pot — it will split if heated.

Can I make butternut squash soup with an immersion blender instead of a countertop blender?

Both work. A countertop blender produces a noticeably silkier texture because it creates more friction and breaks down the fibres more completely. If using an immersion blender, blend for at least 2 minutes and run a finger test — some positions leave small fibres behind. If using a countertop blender with hot soup, fill it no more than halfway and hold the lid down firmly with a folded kitchen towel. Hot liquid under pressure can blow the lid off.

How long does butternut squash soup keep in the fridge and can you freeze it?

4 to 5 days in a sealed container in the fridge. The flavour actually improves on day two as everything settles together. It freezes well for up to 3 months — use freezer-safe containers and leave some space at the top. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly on the stovetop, stirring in a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened during freezing.