This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you’re in a rush, please use the “Jump to Recipe” above!
💭 Why you’ll love this recipe
Hearty and filling soup with acorn squash, red peppers, and flavorful spices. Ready in less than an hour from roasting the acorn squash, cooking the vegetables, and blending the ingredients to make it creamy! Made with healthy ingredients that’s full of fiber, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Not to mention, it’s also vegan!
Variations & Substitutions
Acorn squash. I highly recommend using acorn squash for this recipe as it contributes a lightly sweet and buttery flavor to the soup. But you can also use other winter squash like butternut, green kabocha, red kuri, or buttercup squash. Bell pepper. Substitute with sweet peppers, zucchini, or carrots for a similar flavor profile. Garlic. Roast the garlic in the oven as well for a deeper, more complex flavor. Simply wrap a whole garlic bulb in foil with a bit of olive oil and roast it alongside the squash, then squeeze the caramelized cloves into the soup before blending. Add ginger. Ginger also pairs well with the sweetness of the squash. Grate a teaspoon or two of fresh ginger and sauté it with your aromatic vegetables. Add coconut milk for more creaminess. Replace some of the broth with a can of full-fat coconut milk for a richer, creamier soup. For a chunkier soup, stop blending as soon as you reach your desired consistency.
📖 How to make this acorn squash soup recipe
Step 1:Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Step 2:Cut the squash in half from the stem and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the insides of the squash, rubbing to coat. Sprinkle everything with salt and pepper. Step 3:Place the squash halves cut side up on a baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes, or until fork-tender. Step 4:Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, red bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, for 5 minutes. Step 5:Pour in the broth, then allow the mixture to simmer, for about 10 minutes. Step 6:Scoop the flesh out of the acorn squash shells (leaving a thin layer if serving the soup in the shells if you desire). Add the squash flesh to the pot of soup and cook for an extra minute to blend the flavors. Step 7:Using a handheld immersion blender or working in batches with a blender, carefully blend the mixture until smooth. If using a regular blender, make sure to vent the top by removing the vent lid and using a thick towel there instead to absorb the steam. Step 8:Garnish with pumpkin seeds, crushed red pepper and thyme if desired. Serve hot (in a bowl or in the acorn squash shells).
👩🏽🍳 Tips for the best acorn squash soup
⭐ Blend thoroughly using a hand blender or in batches. If you find chunks or fibers after blending, pass the soup through a fine-mesh strainer. This step can also remove any unblended bits of squash or other ingredients, giving you that velvety texture.
Acorn squash can have a slightly bitter taste, if it’s not fully ripe. To counteract this, add a sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar. Start with a small amount, taste, and adjust as needed. Add the vegetable broth gradually while blending to control the soup’s thickness. This allows you to achieve a creamy texture without making it too thin or too thick.
🍴 How to serve acorn squash soup
Acorn squash soup is a rich and savory soup that can be served as a comforting meal, appetizer, or side dish. Serve it with crusty French bread, dinner rolls, or croutons for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.
🍴Storage and reheating suggestions
To store leftover acorn squash soup, transfer it to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bag. Make sure to leave some room for expansion, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
🍴 More delicious soup recipes
If you like this recipe, check out my other hearty meat-free soup recipes:
📖 Recipe
