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Why I Love to Make Squash Soup
When the weather turns cooler and the days get shorter, there’s nothing I crave more than a bowl of warm squash soup. Seriously, I love squash soup so much that I’ve made multiple recipes, all with differing flavors or methods: slow cooker squash soup, chipotle squash soup, and curry butternut squash soup.
It’s the kind of soup that feels like a hug in a bowl: simple, comforting, and full of fall flavor. I love how the squash and apple blend together to create a naturally sweet base, and a trio of spices (curry powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg) adds just the right amount of warmth and depth.
This is one of those recipes I make every year when the squash from my garden starts piling up. It’s flexible, too: butternut is my go-to, but buttercup, kabocha, or even pumpkin work just as well. I top it with spiced roasted pepitas for a little crunch and spice. It’s such a simple recipe, but one that doesn’t get old!
Here’s why you’ll love this recipe, too:
- Cozy and creamy with natural sweetness from squash and apples
- Made with the best fall spices of curry, cinnamon, and nutmeg
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals
- Low-calorie (about 90 calories per cup!), but still hearty enough to be filling
“I made this soup for dinner tonight to kick off the weather changing. It’s beyond amazing. The flavor is so layered. You can taste the squash, then the apples with the subtle hit of the spices. This is definitely part of my winter soup rotation. Thank you Kaleb!”
Squash Soup Ingredients
There are 10 easy-to-find ingredients that make for this delicious fall-time soup:
- Butternut squash – The star of the show, which gives the soup its rich, creamy base.
- Apple – Adds some natural sweetness, and it’s perfect for fall when apples are ready to harvest.
- Onion, butter, and salt – A great combination for sautéing, building the foundation of the soup.
- Yellow curry powder, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg – All add warmth, some fall vibes, and a little bit of spice.
- Vegetable or chicken stock – Forms the liquid base for simmering this soup.
- Heavy cream – Stirred in right at the end for some additional richness.
- And, of course, some roasted pepitas to sprinkle on top at the end!
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Squash Soup
There are 4 super easy steps to make this squash soup, with very little hands-on time!
Step 1: Prepare the base – In a large pot, melt the butter and sauté the chopped onion with salt until it becomes translucent. Stir in curry, cinnamon, and nutmeg to bloom the spices.
Step 2: Cook the soup – Add squash and apple, then pour in the stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the squash and apple are tender.
Step 3: Blend the soup – Use an immersion blender (or transfer in batches to a blender) to puree until smooth.
Step 4: Finish the soup – Stir in heavy cream, taste, and adjust seasoning. Top with roasted pepitas or a dash of additional cream. The finishing options truly are endless when it comes to this soup!
Recipe Tips
- Use a grapefruit spoon to scoop seeds from the squash easily. Those little ridges make it a breeze.
- For a thinner soup, add an extra cup of stock or water after blending.
- Don’t skip the topping! The roasted pepitas echo the flavors in the soup and add great texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Full-fat canned coconut milk is a great alternative and adds a subtle richness. If you’re using another plant-based milk, just make sure it’s unsweetened and unflavored so it doesn’t compete with the soup’s sweetness and flavor.
This recipe is super flexible. While I usually use butternut squash, Kabocha squash, delicata, or even pumpkin can be used. Keep in mind that some squashes are starchier or sweeter than others, so the final flavor might vary slightly.
If your soup is too thick, stir in a bit more stock or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If you want it thicker, let it simmer uncovered a bit longer or use less liquid. Make it as written the first time, and then go from there when you make it again in the future!
Follow These Tips
Serving
Serve warm with a swirl of heavy cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or some crème fraîche. Add a slice of crusty bread or a green salad to complete the meal.
Storage
- Refrigerate – Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat – Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
- Freeze – Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. This soup is great to multiply and keep in the freezer for an easy meal, or when you have no idea what to have for dinner.
More Soup Recipes
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Harvest Squash Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp yellow curry powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 lb winter squash (butternut or kabocha) peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 ½ cups apples (such as Macintosh, Golden Delicious, or Gala) cored and diced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream (coconut milk can be used as a nondairy alternative)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a 6 or 8-quart stockpot. Add the onion and salt. Sauté over low heat until soft and translucent but not browned, 4-6 minutes. Add the curry, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to warm the spices in the butter, 30 seconds.2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup diced onion, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp yellow curry powder, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Cook the soup: Add the prepared squash, apples, and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the squash and apples are soft, 30-40 minutes.2 lb winter squash (butternut or kabocha), 1 ½ cups apples (such as Macintosh, Golden Delicious, or Gala), 4 cups chicken stock
- Blend: Remove from the heat and puree in a countertop blender or with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy. Pour back into the stockpot.
- Finish: Add the heavy cream and stir. Serve with roasted pepitas on top.½ cup heavy cream (coconut milk can be used as a nondairy alternative)
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson
Hi! I’d like to try this recipe.
I don’t see the coconut milk on the ingredient list. Can we use coconut milk instead of milk in the soup?
Thanks for the recipe!
I just made it! It so delicious! I roasted some pumpkin seeds. I didn’t have nutmeg but it turned out really good. I love the creamy taste of thick cream. I will put coconut milk next time. Thanks for the recipe. I love watching your videos.
This was absolutely amazing! So glad we happened upon this recipe! I love all sorts of squash and this soup was delicious!! The pumpkin seeds added the perfect crunchy texture!
Tastes Fantastic! 🙂 This is a new favorite. Thanks Kaleb
Made this today. The condiments add to the recipe for sure. As a lover of curry and knowing that not everyone shares my love…I made a coconut milk curry topping. Simple: 1 tablespoon butter, melted, stir in 1-2 tablespoons curry, releasing the flavor and aroma, slowly stir is 1/4 cup cream, or coconut milk…stir till combined…drizzle on top of soup with roasted pepito’s…or Roasted pistachio’s!!!
I made this. It was great! I am new to cooking, the only problem I had was peeling the squash. I ended up blanching them I think it is called, I put them in boiling water for up to 10 min then ice water. This made them much easier to peel. But is there a faster way to do it? Also I wasn’t sure thee purpose of the cream. Dies it make the soup creamier or thinner? Thank you so much for this recipe! I really enjoy all of your content.
To be honest, I live squash but detest the peeling. I now lay a washed squash on parchment paper in a baking tray. I poke many holes in it with a small, sharp knife. I set my oven to 300 degrees and bake it. I can tell when it is done because the outer skin gets darker and almost “deflates”.
I allow it to cool and then use a large knife to cut the squash in two. I scoop out the seeds and “goop” and I’m left with squash and skin which is easy to separate using a spoon.
A much easier method in my opinion and no harm is done to the squash! 😀
I love your videos. You cook like my Mother did when she was alive. A blessing to see a young man in the kitchen. As I have two boys. Keep us the great videos and I will enjoy cooking with you. Margire from Michigan.
I made this. It was great! I am new to cooking, the only problem I had was peeling the squash. I ended up blanching them I think it is called, I put them in boiling water for up to 10 min then ice water. This made them much easier to peel. But is there a faster way to do it? Also I wasn’t sure thee purpose of the cream. Dies it make the soup creamier or thinner? Thank you so much for this recipe! I really enjoy all of your content.
Kim, what I do with the squash before trying to peel it is I poke holes in it with a fork. Then I microwave it for about 5 minutes or so, depending on the size of the squash. That makes it easier to peel and cut.
Just made this soup, and it is absolutely delicious!! Made it without the pepitas, but I’m going to make them soon. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe! It is such a good one on a cold winter evening, enjoy!
kw
I got a chance to make your harvest squash soup along with the roasted pepitas. The whole family loved it! That recipe goes into the “make it again” file. I intended to use the remaining pepitas as a topping for a green salad but they were consumed by my kids as a snack, another recipe keeper. Thanks for sharing it!
Thanks Carole, This soup has become an all time favorite for me as well. And yes it seems that people always love the spiced pipits, they are delicious in so many dishes and have become a snacking favorite! Thanks for the note!
Kaleb,
We finally had time to get on line and look at your “blog”. Can’t wait to make the Harvest Squash soup and roasted pepitas; thank you and Jodi for meeting us @ LaTavola for lunch last week. What a great weather day and great time we had with you both.
The pictures in your blog are exceptional and makes your mouth water for the food; also want to view other topics you have there.
Hope to meet again or take a trip with you all. Sincerely, good friends, Ron & Deb Eccles
This is the second time I have made this. It’s fabulous.