Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Nothing is as comforting as a warm bowl of classic butternut squash soup on a cool fall day. This delicious soup is loaded with warm spices and wholesome ingredients that will soothe your body and soul.

I love soup any time of the year because it is so creamy and full of flavor. Fall and winter are undoubtedly the most common seasons to eat it but I figure, why limit yourself when it tastes this good? If you love butternut squash as much as I do, check out my method for roasting it whole in your oven.

We often pair it with a salad and call it dinner. Other times, we will pair soup with pasta salad and corn on the cob. If you love delicious comforting savory soup like I do, try our vegan cheddar broccoli soup and creamy mushroom soup.

Ingredients needed for butternut squash soup

To make this easy butternut squash soup recipe, you will only need a few ingredients and 45 minutes.

• Butternut squash – You will need a medium to large-sized squash that weighs around 3 pounds.
• Carrot – This will add flavor and even bright color to the soup.
• Garlic & onion– Sauteing these before adding the other ingredients enhances the flavors.
• Vegetable broth – Using veggie broth instead of water is a great way to deepen the flavor of this soup. The Pacific Foods brand has low sodium and no oil, or you could make your own veggie stock.
• Cashew milk – Other plant milks can also be used, but cashew milk is the most creamy and rich.
• Spices – Nutmeg, salt, and pepper are the simple seasonings used. I have listed other spices below that could also be added.

How to make vegan butternut squash soup

1. Place the diced onion and carrots in a large stock pot with about 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth and saute over medium heat until the onions begin to turn translucent and brown a little bit. If needed, add more broth one tablespoon at a time to keep it from sticking. This should only take about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add another tablespoon of the broth and the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 more minutes.
3. Next, add the cubed butternut squash, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and the rest of the vegetable broth and stir.
4. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook until the squash and carrots are tender which should take about 25-30 minutes.
5. Add the cashew milk and carefully use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. If it is too thick, add a little more veggie broth or cashew milk and blend until you get the desired consistency.
6. Season with more salt and pepper if needed. I like to swirl in a little more cashew milk on top to make it look pretty. Optional toppings include pepitas, toasted coconut flakes, or fresh parsley.
7. If you would like to add a little spice, try a pinch of red pepper flakes. I have included other topping options below. Serve with crusty bread if desired.

Tips for Success

Variations and substitutes

• Roast your veggies – You can roast the squash, carrots, and onion before adding them to the soup to add even more flavor if desired. It doesn’t take that much time, about 25 minutes in the oven.
• Carrots – If you prefer, the carrots can be replaced with more butternut squash.
• Add grains – To make this soup more hearty, simply add brown rice, bulgur wheat, farro, or other favorite grain when it is cooking. Just be sure to add extra broth accordingly to accommodate for the grains.
• Milk – Other plant milks can be used in place of cashew milk. Many recipes call for coconut milk, but I opted for a lower-fat version.
• Sweeten– 1/3 cup of maple syrup, date syrup, or agave nectar can be added to sweeten if desired.

Topping ideas

This soup is delicious and if you want to take it up another notch, try any of these extra topping ideas that make it look beautiful.

• Toasted coconut flakes
• Roasted pepita seeds
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh thyme
• A pinch of red pepper flakes
• Ground black pepper
• A swirl of cashew milk

Storing and freezing

I think leftover soup tastes even better the next day after the flavors have more time to marry up. It can be reheated in your microwave or on the stovetop.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stovetop or microwave.

What pairs well with butternut squash soup

Serve this delicious soup with crusty sourdough break or even make your own loaf of whole wheat bread. Pair it with stuffed acorn squash, pasta salad, or even a garden salad.

Sandwiches are always a great option for serving with soup, so try our chickpea avocado sandwich spread or these easy veggie wraps.

More vegan soup recipes

For those who are soup lovers like me, we have a whole category of delicious vegan soups for you to try.

• Sweet Potato White Bean Soup
• Barley Vegetable Soup
• Creamy Potato Soup
• Vegan Miso Soup
• French Onion Soup

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.

If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!