Silky Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Cozy Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe for Fall Comfort

Chilly autumn winds whisper the promise of comfort in this hearty apple butternut squash soup recipe that blends sweet and savory notes perfectly.

Seasonal produce comes alive with a delightful dance of flavors that warm your soul from the first spoonful.

Ripe apples and velvety butternut squash merge into a luxurious blend that speaks of cozy kitchen moments.

Smooth and silky, this soup captures the essence of fall’s rich, comforting embrace.

Each ingredient tells a story of harvest and home, creating a symphony of taste that lingers delicately on your palate.

The subtle sweetness of apples complements the earthy depth of butternut squash, transforming simple ingredients into a bowl of pure comfort.

Grab your favorite pot and let’s turn these seasonal treasures into a memorable meal that celebrates autumn’s bounty.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 100 kcal

Servings: 7

Apple Butternut Squash Soup Ingredient Breakdown

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butternut Squash: Provides creamy, sweet foundation with rich orange color and velvety texture.
  • Apples: Adds bright tartness and natural sweetness, balancing the soup's earthy profile.
  • Onion: Creates deep flavor base with subtle aromatic undertones and caramelized notes.
  • Garlic: Enhances savory depth and contributes robust, pungent background flavor.
For Liquid Components:
  • Chicken Stock: Creates smooth consistency and adds fundamental savory complexity.
  • Half and Half: Delivers luxurious creaminess and rounds out overall soup texture.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Ginger: Introduces warm, sophisticated spice profile with complementary autumn-inspired notes.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Elevates and balances overall flavor composition.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Sour Cream: Provides tangy, cool contrast to warm soup.
  • Freshly Grated Nutmeg: Offers elegant aromatic finishing touch.
  • Diced Apples: Creates textural interest and fresh visual appeal.

Tools to Blend Soup Smoothly

  • Large Stock Pot: Essential for sautéing onions, garlic, and cooking the soup base.
  • Chef's Knife: Perfect for dicing onions, mincing garlic, and chopping apples and butternut squash.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
  • Blender: Crucial for creating a smooth, creamy soup texture.
  • Towel: Helps safely hold the blender lid while pureeing hot soup.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
  • Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup into bowls.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.

How to Make This Cozy Fall Soup at Home

  • Flavor Foundation

Create a delicious base by gently warming olive oil and transforming diced onions into soft, translucent treasures. Awaken the kitchen with aromatic garlic, letting its rich essence fill the air.

  • Autumn Harmony

Combine butternut squash cubes and apple chunks into the pot, allowing their natural sweetness to mingle and dance together. Let them soften and release their comforting flavors.

  • Liquid Magic

Pour chicken stock into the pot, bringing everything to a gentle bubble. Lower the heat and let the ingredients simmer, becoming tender and developing deep, complex tastes.

  • Silky Transformation

Transfer the warm mixture into a blender, carefully creating a smooth, creamy texture. Return the luxurious puree to the pot, preparing it for final seasoning.

  • Spice Symphony

Introduce warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. These aromatic companions will elevate the soup’s flavor profile, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and excitement.

  • Creamy Finale

Swirl in half and half, giving the soup a luxurious, velvety finish. Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.

  • Serving Pleasure

Ladle the soup into beautiful bowls. Consider garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg, crisp apple pieces, or a dollop of sour cream for an extra touch of delight.

Spice and Sweetness Tweaks to Try

  • Enhance deeper flavors by roasting butternut squash with olive oil and salt before adding to the soup, which caramelizes natural sugars and creates a richer taste profile.
  • Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or use apple cider for an extra layer of fruity sweetness that complements the apples.
  • Stir in cooked, shredded chicken or crispy bacon bits for added texture and protein, transforming this soup into a more substantial meal.
  • Experiment with different warming spices like cardamom, allspice, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to create unique flavor variations that match your taste preferences.
  • This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain smooth consistency.

Plating Apple Butternut Soup Warm and Pretty

  • Cozy Winter Comfort: Serve this warm, velvety soup as a soothing main course during chilly evenings, perfect for wrapping yourself in culinary comfort.
  • Elegant Appetizer Presentation: Pour the soup into small shot glasses or demitasse cups for an impressive starter at dinner parties, garnished with a tiny apple slice or herb sprig.
  • Hearty Lunch Companion: Pair the soup with a crisp side salad and crusty whole grain bread for a satisfying midday meal that feels nourishing and gourmet.
  • Seasonal Garnish Magic: Top each bowl with toasted pumpkin seeds, a swirl of cream, or crispy bacon bits to add texture and enhance the soup's rich, autumnal flavors.

Soup Storage for Quick Weeknight Meals

  • Batch Cooking Magic: Prepare a large pot of soup and divide into individual portions for quick, hassle-free meals throughout the week. Perfect for busy professionals and meal-prep enthusiasts looking to save time.
  • Refrigerator Lifespan: Store the soup in airtight containers for up to 4-5 days. Keep the soup cool and fresh by placing it in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back section.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Carefully transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, leaving slight room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, creating a delightful emergency meal solution for hectic days.
  • Reheating Recommendations: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to maintain smooth consistency and prevent scorching at the bottom of the pot.
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Silky Apple Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Silky Apple Butternut Squash Soup


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4.7 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Comforting Butternut Squash Apple Soup blends seasonal ingredients from New England kitchens with rich, smooth flavors. Warm spices and creamy texture invite home cooks to savor this hearty autumn classic.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) butternut squash, cubed
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken stock
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sweet onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) half and half
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Sauté Foundation: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and caramelize onions until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes, then quickly introduce minced garlic and allow its fragrance to bloom.
  2. Vegetable Integration: Add cubed butternut squash and chopped apples, stirring to ensure uniform coating and initial flavor development, then pour chicken stock and bring to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
  3. Tenderization Process: Allow ingredients to simmer for 15-20 minutes, enabling butternut squash to soften completely and release its inherent sweetness.
  4. Puree Transformation: Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender, using a towel-covered lid for safety, and transform into a silky-smooth consistency before returning to the original pot.
  5. Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper, letting the spices meld and intensify for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Creamy Refinement: Fold in half and half to create a luxurious texture, adjusting seasonings to personal preference and ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
  7. Presentation: Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings such as freshly grated nutmeg, diced apple pieces, or a delicate swirl of sour cream.

Notes

  • Prep Wisely: Cube squash and apples uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and smooth blending.
  • Blender Safety: Always use a towel when blending hot liquids to prevent potential splashing and burns.
  • Spice Balance: Start with small amounts of spices, tasting gradually to achieve perfect flavor without overwhelming the delicate squash and apple notes.
  • Cream Control: Add half and half last to maintain soup’s temperature and prevent potential curdling during final cooking stage.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 100
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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