Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Croutons

We are right into autumn and I love the sight of leaves turning yellow-orange, setting the mood for the winter season. The days are getting shorter and the nights bring a chill in the air. All you want is to cosy up by the fire and enjoy a heart-warming supper, just like this bowl of autumn soup. It has deep flavours of roasted butternut squash, herbs topped with garlic-infused croutons. Add a little kick to your soup by sprinkling a few chilli flakes before serving. This supper is super easy to make and only costs a few pennies per bowl. Why not make this roasted butternut squash soup as a starter for Thanksgiving?

Why you should try this roasted butternut squash soup

Here is why you will love this recipe. Butternut squash is in full season and widely available this autumn. Roasting a butternut squash fills your kitchen with gorgeous smells of nutty and herby flavours. The best bit is the caramelisation of the butternut that bring out the best flavours of this vegetable.

Roasting a butternut squash before making soup means you do not have to peel and dice it! This can be a time-consuming process and I would much rather roast the squash and scoop out the flesh.

One medium 1kg butternut squash can yield 4 bowls of soup. You only need a few more ingredients to add to your shopping list, but it is essentially ingredients that can already be found in your fridge and pantry. If you want a delicious budget-friendly supper then this soup only costs a few quid per bowl. You can also make it ahead of time as it keeps well in the fridge for a few days.

What you will need for this recipe

• Butternut Squash: A medium butternut squash weighing about 1 kilo should yield 4 bowls of soup.
• Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is drizzled on the butternut squash to help it caramelise. It is also used for making the croutons.
• Thyme: Thyme and butternut squash are the perfect combination. Thyme has a strong flavour and yet does not overpower the butternut squash.
• Onions: This is an essential ingredient for making soup.
• Garlic and ginger: Adding garlic and ginger to soup gives it more flavour and the ginger adds extra warmth.
• Stock: I have used chicken stock for this recipe, however vegetable stock works perfectly well.
• Chilli flakes: To give a subtle spicy taste to the soup.
• Sourdough bread: I use one large slice to make croutons. You can use two medium slices.

How to make roasted butternut squash soup

The first step is to try to slice the butternut squash lengthwise. This can be a little tricky if you have not done this before. Believe me, it requires a bit of practice and a good heavy sharp knife! You also need sturdy hands and a flat surface that is low enough to push your knife through the middle of the squash. I usually do this on the dining table and it always works. put the butternut squash side down and slice vertically the neck side. Then turn the squash so the bulb side is facing you. Slice the other half of the squash vertically. Then use a spoon to remove the seeds.

Place the two butternut squash halves in a roasting tin and season with salt and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and a few sprigs of thyme. Into the oven it goes while you prep the other ingredients for the soup.

Chop the onions and mince the ginger and garlic. In a pan sweat the onions for a few minutes until it releases its flavour. Add the ginger and garlic, and some thyme leaves. You can sprinkle some chilli flakes at this stage if you prefer a spicy soup. When the squash is roasted, scoop the flesh using a spoon and add it to the pan. Mix well and pour in the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes before blending the mixture until you achieve a smooth consistency.

The croutons

Now this is a cheat’s croutons recipe! I toast the sourdough so it is nice and crispy before I slice it into cubes. To make the garlic-infused olive oil heat the oil on low heat and add the minced garlic. Stir for only a few seconds until the garlic releases its flavours. Then toss the bread until it is coated with oil. Fry for a few minutes tossing regularly, until browned and crispy all over.

So now you can assemble your soup and serve it with a sprinkle of chilli flakes, thyme, the croutons and a drizzle of creme fraiche. This soup is great to serve as a starter on Thanksgiving. If you make this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment below! You can also share a photo of the soup on Instagram, tagging me in. If you like butternut squash recipes why not try this delicious cheesy gratin recipe that you can enjoy with a baguette and a roast chicken.