Acorn Squash Soup (Printer-friendly)

A velvety, aromatic soup featuring roasted acorn squash blended with warming spices for a silky-smooth finish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium acorn squash (about 2 lbs total), halved and seeded
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped

→ Liquids

05 - 4 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 cup water
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk

→ Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Garnish

13 - Toasted pumpkin seeds
14 - Fresh chives, chopped
15 - Drizzle of cream

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush the cut sides of the acorn squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place cut side down on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 30–35 minutes, or until the flesh is tender. Allow to cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh and discard the skins.
02 - In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and garlic. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
03 - Add the roasted acorn squash flesh, vegetable broth, water, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
04 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer in batches to a countertop blender.
05 - Stir in the cream or coconut milk. Adjust seasoning to taste. Reheat gently if needed.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, chopped chives, and a drizzle of cream if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The natural sweetness of acorn squash means you need very little added sugar or sweetener to achieve that perfect balance
  • This soup freezes beautifully so you can make a double batch and pull it out on busy weeknights
02 -
  • Letting the squash cool slightly before scooping makes it much easier to separate the flesh from the skin
  • Hot soup expands dramatically when blended, so never fill your blender more than halfway
03 -
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper wakes up all the other flavors without adding noticeable heat
  • Toasted pumpkin seeds add a crucial crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth texture
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