If you’re looking for a creamy and comforting soup that’s easy to make and tastes like Fall, this roasted butternut squash soup is for you! This recipe combines roasted butternut squash and carrots with apples, maple syrup, and stock to form a hearty, nourishing, and easy soup!
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Editor’s Note: Originally Published on October 15, 2018. Updated with full process shots, new images, and expanded info.
Roasted butternut squash soup is a family favorite!
The roasting process brings out incredible flavor in the butternut squash which is balanced perfectly by the sweetness in the carrots and maple syrup and tartness of the apples.
A few sage leaves add additional flavor and really make this soup taste like fall.
We love to pair roasted butternut squash and carrot soup with garlic butter rolls and a chicken Caesar salad but it’s also great alongside a garlic bread roast beef sandwich with onion jam.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Butternut squash. Use 1 large or 2 small butternut squash for this recipe. The overall weight should equal about 4 pounds. To prep the squash for roasting, peel, seed, and chop into chunks. Take care when cutting the squash in half as they can be hard to cut. If you find the squash is too hard to cut or peel, microwave them for 5 minutes as this will help to soften the skin and squash.
- Carrots. We love the sweetness the carrots bring to this soup.
- Apples. Use any sweet apple you’d like. We used Honeycrisp because they’re a favorite in our home.
- Onion. The onion adds great depth of flavor.
- Stock. Use any low-sodium stock you’d like. To keep this soup vegan, use vegetable stock. If you prefer to use chicken stock, that would be excellent here.
- Maple syrup. Start with 2 tablespoons and adjust if you’d like more.
- Sage. The fresh sage leaves make this butternut squash soup taste like Fall!
See the recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make it
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Preheat the oven to 425f and set the rack to the middle level. Peel and slice a large (or two small) butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds (Photo #1).
- Chop the squash and 2 large carrots into chunks. Toss them with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and spread them out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast for 35 minutes turning the pieces at the halfway point (Photo #2).
- While the squash and carrots roast, dice 1 large yellow onion and peel, core, and chop 1 apple. Mince 8 large sage leaves. Heat a large heavy pot or Dutch oven to medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the onion. Saute the onion for about 7-10 minutes or until soft, then add the apple and cook for another 3 minutes (Photo #3).
- Add 4 cups of vegetable stock (or chicken stock), the roasted butternut squash and carrots, and the chopped sage to the pot (Photo #4).
- Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes (Photo #5).
- After 20 minutes of simmering, add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and turn off the heat (Photo #6).
- For a completely smooth soup with no lumps, use an immersion blender, or ladle the soup into a blender and pulse until smooth (Photo #7).
- Taste test the soup and adjust salt and pepper to taste. If you’d like the soup sweeter, add maple syrup a little at a time until the desired flavor is achieved. If the soup is too thick, simply thin it with a touch more stock or water (Photo #8). Serve in bowls with a dollop of creme fraiche, yogurt, or sour cream. To keep it vegan, use a plant-based yogurt or coconut cream. Enjoy!
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Top tips
- Blending. While you can certainly eat this butternut squash carrot and apple soup chunky style, it’s really great when blended smooth. We recommend using an immersion blender but you can also ladle the soup into a stand blender and pulse until smooth.
- Fall flavors. Sage, maple syrup, and nutmeg add great autumn flavor and complement the roasted butternut squash soup particularly well. Be judicious with the nutmeg as a little goes a long way. You can also serve with a little nutmeg, cinnamon, or even pumpkin pie spice on the side for those who’d like a bit more.
- Enjoy the next day! As with most soups and stews, roasted butternut squash soup will taste better the next day making it a great make-ahead option!
- Toppings. While this soup is creamy without any cream, a little sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt, plant-based or dairy-based, is wonderful here.
More butternut squash recipes
- Baked butternut squash pasta – baked penne with mozzarella, butternut squash sauce, and sage.
- Butternut squash parmigiana – layers of squash with sage, marinara, mozzarella, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Butternut squash gnocchi – homemade gnocchi made with butternut squash tossed with a sage brown butter sauce and grated amaretti cookies.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash peeled, seeded, and chopped – see notes below
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 1 apple peeled, cored, and chopped – any sweet apple will work
- 6 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 8 large fresh sage leaves minced
- 4 cups vegetable stock plus more if needed
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425f and set the rack to the middle level. Toss the chopped butternut squash and carrots with 3 tablespoons of olive oil then spread out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and roast for 35 minutes turning pieces at the halfway point.
- While the squash and carrots are roasting, heat a large heavy pot or Dutch oven to medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil and the onion. Saute until soft (about 7-10 minutes) then add the apple and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add the stock, roasted carrots and butternut squash, and the chopped sage to the pot. Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes of simmering add in the maple syrup and nutmeg and turn off the heat. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper to taste. For a completely smooth soup with no lumps, simply use an immersion blender or ladle the soup into a blender. If the soup is too thick, simply thin with more stock or water.
- Serve with an optional dollop of creme fraiche, yogurt, or sour cream. Enjoy!
Notes
- 1 large butternut squash equals about 4 pounds or 6 1/2 cups of chopped squash after removing the skin and seeds. Feel free to use 2 smaller butternut squash to equal about 4 pounds.
- Any apple can be used though sweeter apples work best.
- An immersion blender is recommended but if using a countertop blender, you may need to blend in batches to prevent over-filling your blender.
- Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This recipe was originally published on October 15, 2018. It was completely updated on September 30, 2023.
I only just found your site. Although I’ve made butternut squash many times using different recipes, came across yours and decided to follow it instead as there were a few differences, such as adding the apple. Oh my gosh! this is *the* best butternut squash soup I have ever made. Served it to husband and friends and everyone loved it! Thank you. Loving reading your other recipes which I will be trying too.
Great to hear you liked this one too! Thanks for the comment, Vicki!
Can you substitute fresh pumpkin instead?
I haven’t tried it but I bet it would be good.
Loved your butternut squash soup recipe! Such a perfect combination of flavors and texture..perfect for our cold weather tonight.
Thank you 😊
Delicious recipe for Butternut Squash Soup! The recipe came together easily. Cutting the squash up was the most difficult part
The soup is thick and tastes yummy! Great fall recipe
So happy you enjoyed, Nancy!
Love all of your recipes!
We’re so happy to hear that, Pattie!
Excellent!!! I didn’t think I’d like this, but when I tried it I was very surprised as to the taste and texture. I did find another recipe that called for a Red Pepper, Fresh Thyme and 3 Minced Cloves.
Other than that, I followed your recipe and I loved it.
I’m very happy to follow you and try many of your flavorful handy work.
We’re happy you enjoyed it, Donald!
All the soups that I’ve made following your recipes have been winners and keepers. Since I’m following the Weight Watchers plan, I’ve been able to tweak the recipes and they are so comforting! The ingredients and processes you use just make it so easy for me to make the minor changes. Keep the soups coming!
Hi Irene, we’re so happy you’re enjoying the soup recipes and that you find it easy to adapt the recipes to your needs. Thanks so much for the comment!
I really enjoy your recipes and videos. Family and friends are eating them up. Thank you
Hi James, thanks for the comment and so happy you’re all enjoying the recipes!
What can I use besides Maple syrup? Honey
Hi Raine, yes, you can use honey if you prefer to not use maple syrup.
Omg! If you love butternut squash soup, you have to make this recipe! I could eat the whole pot tonight!1 Ty Ty!
Hi Joanne, we’re so happy you enjoyed the recipe and appreciate your comment!
I make my butternut squash soup the same way but I will also add delicata and honey nut. Makes the flavor a little bit more flavorful.
Hi Beth, thanks for the comment. This soup is great with other squash as well!
Delish! I followed the recipe except I added a can of pumpkin (I wanted to get it used up) about about 3 extra cups of water w vegetable boulllion. It got pretty thick after I used immersion blender and wanted it with just a little thinner broth. Really delicious and creamy on its own. I used a Fuji apple and maple syrup from Vermont. Can’t wait to share it with friends. They’ll be impressed. Thanks for another great recipe!
Hi Lynn, thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed! I’m sure the can of pumpkin was a great addition!
I have made a lot of butternut squash soup in my lifetime. This is by far, the best!
Hi Donna, I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe and really appreciate the comment!
I like the fact that this soup gets creamy without adding any cream. Being on Weight Watchers, I omitted the maple syrup and used only a third of the oil to roast the vegetables. Wow what a comforting soup… more like a bisque. You haven’t failed me yet! Thanks.
Hi Irene, I’m so happy you enjoyed the soup and appreciate the comment!
Great soup! I’ve made other variations of butternut squash soup but this will be my go to from now on!
Keep the great recipes coming!
Hi Bob, thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
How much powdered sage if I don’t have leaves?
Hi Mary, dried sage is stronger than fresh so we suggest starting with 1/4 teaspoon and adding more from there, to taste.
This is a home run. Thanks for the recipe.
I started following this site ever since I gave the grandma pizza recipe, and I now see how much of a gem the recipes here are.
Thanks! Don’t stop what you’re doing!
Hi Ti, thanks so much for the comment and so happy you enjoyed this one and appreciate you following along!
Very tasty! Big hit at our progressive neighborhood dinner party.
Hi Sue, thanks for your comment and so happy you all enjoyed!
I have not made this soup yet but saved the recipe because I made the Sausage and Apple stuffed Acorn Squash twice and everyone loved it both times. I was even asked for the recipe! Well done, James! Easy and delicious! Perfect! Thank you!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy this one. It’s a much easier recipe than the stuffed acorn squash, but both are great fall dishes.
This came together so fast! The soup is fantastic. Creamy, smooth, and with just the right seasonings!
Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it!
Love the apples in this soup!!
Thank you Dina! I think they add a nice sweetness.
Hi James, Great recipe. Love the addition of apples in this for an added depth of flavour. I just wanted to say that I really like the new numbered layout, clean and fuss-free. Even the simplest of recipes can be hard to interpret so it’s really good to see these steps demonstrated. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Lynsey! Thanks for the compliment on the recipe and I appreciate the feedback on the process changes!