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Autumn ushers in a surplus of squash at farmer’s markets and grocery stores alike, setting stands ablaze with bright yellow and orange vegetables. Butternut squash—a type of winter squash—is known for its slightly sweet and nutty flavor, while also being hearty, which makes it the ultimate base for a comforting soup. If butternut squash isn’t your favorite veggie, trying it in a soup might change your mind. On the surface, many butternut squash soup recipes may look similar, but they are far from one note. Using a variety of spices, herbs, and other vegetables can transform the simple gourd into a dynamic and flavorful dinner option.

Roasting the squash before blending it up with the other ingredients allows the flesh to caramelize while also lending an irresistibly creamy texture—perfect for soup. Other recipes that don’t require an immersion blender result in a more substantial finish, which perhaps makes them more filling. To help you wade through your soup search, blended or not, we rounded up some of the best butternut squash soup recipes.

1. Cookie + Kate Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

a white mug of orange soup with a spoon inside sits on a light brown surface — Photo credit: Cookie and Kate

This Cookie + Kate recipe delivers the creamy texture we all know and love without actually using any cream. It’s made with eight simple ingredients, including olive oil, butter, shallots, garlic, vegetable broth, maple syrup, and nutmeg. These highly accessible pantry items make it easy to whip up for a weeknight dinner or a side dish to your main. If you’re not planning to serve the entire batch, it will keep in the freezer for up to four months.

Get Cookie + Kate’s recipE here

2. Minimalist Baker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

a white bowl of orange soup with a drizzle of cream and pumpkin seeds sits on a white surface — Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This Minimalist Baker recipe gives the classic butternut squash soup an Indian-inspired twist with curry powder. But don’t skip the chili garlic paste–it adds even more spice. Perfect for a cozy dinner with family or entertaining a crowd, this delicious soup can be paired with toasted sourdough bread, a sandwich, or a salad.

Get Minimalist Baker’s recipe here

3. Ahead of Thyme Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

orange soup with a prig of thyme, spices, and pumpkin seeds on top — Photo credit: Ahead of Thyme

Rosemary, thyme, sage, cayenne pepper powder, carrots, and celery round out this delicious Ahead of Thyme recipe and will keep you coming back for more. The recipe involves roasting the vegetables in the oven for a full hour, which makes them more tender and easy to blend. Prepare a large batch to enjoy throughout the week, and store the soup in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Get Ahead of Thyme’s recipe here

4. Well Plated Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

Orange soup with a drizzle of cream and pumpkin seeds rests in a white bowl on a checkered surface with a similarly textured cloth nearby — Photo credit: Well Plated

We love that the slow cooker does all the heavy-lift cooking in this Well Plated recipe. Although the original recipe calls for apples, you can swap them for other seasonal vegetables, like sweet potatoes, and carrots. Their subtle sweetness complements the nuttiness of butternut squash. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds and a dollop of Greek or coconut yogurt (dairy-free) to add delicious texture and make it more filling.

Get Well Plated’s recipe here

5. How Sweet Eats Butternut Squash & Sausage Tortellini

In a white bowl, orange colored soup with green and tortellini — Photo credit: How Sweet Eats

Italian sausage and cheese tortellini pack filling protein in this How Sweet Eats recipe. This soup also features fire-roasted tomatoes and kale for more flavor, texture, and health-boosting nutrients. The best part is there’s no roasting required—every ingredient goes into one pot—for an easy prep and clean-up.

Get How Sweet Eats’ recipe here

6. Every Last Bite Thai Butternut Squash Soup

In a white bowl, orange soup garnished with green leaves and red pepper slices — Photo credit: Every Last Bite

Each spoonful of this vegan-friendly soup is brimming with flavor, thanks to the traditional Thai ingredients of ginger, lime juice, cilantro, and red curry paste. Carmen Sturdy of Every Last Bite uses canned coconut milk to make it extra creamy and give it a rich taste.

Get Every Last Bite’s recipe here

7. Bread and Basil Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Orange soup in a cast iron Dutch oven resting on a taupe-colored towel — Photo credit: Bread & Basil

Turmeric, cardamom, and garam masala pair beautifully with the sweetness of butternut squash. Although it’s optional, we highly recommend you prepare the herb-seasoned sourdough breadcrumbs in this recipe. Adding a drizzle of balsamic vinegar rounds out the flavors of the soup with a hint of acidity.

Get Bread & Basil’s recipe here

8. Alexandra Cooks Roasted Butternut Squash & Garlic Soup

Orange soup garnished with croutons and herbs in a white bowl — Photo credit: Alexandra’s Kitchen

If you’re a garlic fan, you’ll love that this recipe involves roasting an entire head of garlic. When blended, it contributes to the creaminess of the soup and intensifies its flavor. Once the squash and garlic are roasted and have cooled down, there’s not much left to do. Simply add them to a pot with vegetable or chicken stock until it simmers, then use an immersion blender to puree the mixture. Stir in some cream or crème fraîche if you’d like and finish with cracked black pepper.

Get Alexandra Cooks’ recipe here