Hearty and Quick Butternut Squash Soup

Submitted by NoThyme2Cook

"Creamy, thick, hearty and delicious. I was skeptical about whether my family would like this, but I needed a hearty meal in a hurry and we had an unexpected guest. I had left over roasted butternut squash and had just read some squash soup recipes in a magazine. All of their recipes sounded too sweet for my taste, and I didn't have a lot of the ingredients, so I made up my own. Everyone, even my meat-and-potatoes husband loved it. I knew it was a hit when my son suggested that maybe I should write this one down!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 2 quarts
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash, cut in half, seeded, brushed with butter, and roasted until tender
• 1 (32 ounce) box chicken broth
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon onion salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• fresh thyme
• half-and-half, as needed
• water, as needed
• 1 cup cooked quinoa (optional)

• garnishes

• thyme, stems with leaves

directions

1. Roasted Butternut Squash:.
2. Cut in half length-wish and scoop out seeds. Brush with butter or olive oil. Microwave for about 15 minutes, checking occasionally. When tender, place in a 350 degree oven for another 10-15 minutes to improve color and flavor. Cool.
3. Soup:.
4. Heat chicken broth in a large sauce pan. While it is heating, peel the rind off of the cooked butternut squash and discard. Add the squash to the broth and continue heating. Add the garlic, onion salt, pepper, and butter. Blend with a hand blender until smooth. If it gets too thick add water to desired consistency. Add thyme leaves. To stretch the recipe, add half and half. Ladle into bowls and a lay a thyme stem on top.
5. Quinoa:.
6. Cook according to package directions using chicken broth instead of water and adding a tablespoon of butter or olive oil. Serve on the side or add to the soup at the table.

Reviews

[Maryland Jim]

Very nice and easy soup. Oh and did I mention it was delicious! Just ask my SIL, he had 3 bowls and this from a guy who says he doesn't like squash!!! Made as directed but blended everything in a regular blender since I don't have a hand blender. Also used fresh chives as a topping.....I have a abundance of them in the garden. Made for PAC 2012 (spring).

 

[sjkotylak]

This was delicious! I bought already peeled and cubed butternut squash so I roasted it the night before and then tossed it in the soup right out of the fridge! I also added a sprinkle of garlic powder (I grabbed it by mistake and didn't realized until I sprinkled) and a handful of baby carrots shredded in after I blended it. Trying to be a little healthier, instead of adding half and half, I added a spoonful of plain yogurt to my bowl (my BF liked it best as is) Thanks for such a quick and easy recipe! Made for PAC Spring '11