Snuggle up with a serving of this vegetable-rich soup.
Reviewed by Registered Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A.
I've never really been a big fan of soup. Although I have occasionally ordered it, French onion soup Sometimes when dining out, I'm more interested in the cheesy bread on top rather than the onion-filled broth. In the past, whenever I sought comfort with warmth, I would choose pasta over soup, favoring the noodle texture over the soupy consistency.
However, my attitude towards the meal changed this winter since it has been unusually cold (on one occasion, it seemed like it was -6 degrees Celsius where I reside). During an exceptionally chilly weekend, I discovered that nothing appealed more for supper than soup with a sandwich, leading me to prepare one. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Prepared on a Sheet Pan (plus a grilled cheese for dipping!) Once I started making it, I couldn’t stop. Here’s why you’ll enjoy it as well.
It Contains Plenty of Nutritious Components
Butternut squash The star ingredient in this soup is the winter squash, brimming with essential nutrients. This vegetable boasts antioxidants that aid in reducing inflammation. Lowering inflammation can decrease your likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, the squash offers vitamin A, crucial for maintaining good eyesight—something I value greatly as a glasses wearer.
Related: Why Winter Squash Is Beneficial For Your Health
This soup is packed with fiber due to the inclusion of butternut squash, along with apples and onions. Consuming fibrous foods helps maintain satiety for extended durations, which I have experienced firsthand. After having a serving of this soup at noon, it consistently keeps me feeling content until evening. Onions Additionally, incorporate even greater anti-inflammatory properties, while apples provide components that enhance cognitive function and lower the chance of developing diabetes. In all, this soup is packed full of beneficial elements.
It's Overflowing with Taste and It's Versatile
Cooking the vegetables enhances the inherent sweetness of the butternut squash, apple, and onion. Besides adding complexity to the taste, this process removes the necessity for additional sweeteners. Thyme imparts an earthy undertone, though you can substitute with oregano should you lack thyme. Although heavy cream is specified in the recipe, using half-and-half could decrease the calorie count without compromising much on richness. Alternatively, cutting down on the cream quantity might be considered; although it will yield less volume, blending the squash ensures a smooth consistency regardless. What I particularly enjoy about this soup is its mouthfeel—it strikes a balance between having substance yet remaining light and free from lumpy bits.
The soup calls for vegetable broth; however, I've discovered that it turns out equally delicious when made using chicken broth instead. A helpful hint: Heat up the broth in the microwave prior to mixing it with the roasted veggies. Doing this guarantees that your soup remains nice and warm. Blending scorching vegetables together with chilled or merely lukewarm broth can reduce the overall warmth of the soup, possibly necessitating an additional reheating process to reach the ideal serving temperature.
It’s Easy to Make
I adore this soup not just because it tastes great but also due to how simple it is to prepare. Most of the work gets done inside the oven, leaving my hands free to tackle other chores such as preparing a grilled cheese sandwich to go with it. Apart from slicing up some veggies—something you can save time on by using precut butternut squash—and giving everything a good blend towards the end, there aren’t many steps involved in making this dish. Additionally, I'm quite fond of recipes where most dishes get used right away since they minimize post-meal clean-up. In this case, all that needs washing afterward is basically a baking tray plus the blender.
Given all these appealing features, I've consistently made this soup at home. Serve it alongside a piece of crunchy whole-grain bread or a grilled cheese For dipping, this will result in a comforting, warm meal that’s ideal for the colder months. What are you still waiting for?
Related: Here Are the Top Cheeses for Making the Perfect Grilled Cheese, Say Experts
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