Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Quick facts

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash (about 3 lb), peeled, seeded and cut in 1-inch cubes
• 1 tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled and cut in chunks
• 1 large yellow onion, cut in wedges
• 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
• Toasted pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of cream, to serve

Step-by-step method

1. Heat the oven to 425°F/220°C. Spread the squash, apple, onion and garlic on a large sheet pan. Toss with the olive oil, 1 tsp salt and the pepper.

2. Roast 35–40 minutes, turning once halfway, until the squash is very tender and browned at the edges.

3. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of its skins. Transfer everything from the pan to a large pot and add the broth, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg.

4. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 10 minutes so the flavors come together.

5. Blend until completely smooth with an immersion blender, or in batches in a regular blender with the lid vented. Stir in the cream, if using.

6. Taste and add the remaining salt as needed. If the soup is too thick, thin it with a splash of broth. Serve topped with pumpkin seeds and a swirl of cream.

Tips for the best result

• Cut the squash into even cubes so it roasts at the same speed. A sturdy vegetable peeler works better than a knife for the skin.
• Do not crowd the pan. If your sheet pan is small, use two so the squash browns instead of steaming.
• For a dairy-free version, skip the cream and use a few tablespoons of canned coconut milk.

Make ahead and storage

Refrigerate in a covered container up to 4 days, or freeze up to 3 months (freeze before adding the cream). Reheat gently over medium-low heat, stirring, and add a little broth if it has thickened.

Approximate nutrition per serving

About 210 calories per serving with cream, 150 without. Nutrition is an estimate and varies with brands and portion size.