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Quick & Easy Honeynut Squash Soup with Brown Butter

honeynut squash soup - featured image

This quick honeynut squash soup with brown butter is a weeknight miracleโ€”roasting the squash whole locks in sweetness and prevents a watery soup, while the nutty brown butter adds deep, comforting flavor. It comes together in about 45 minutes with minimal hands-on work.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 honeynut squash (about 2 pounds total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves (optional)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400ยฐF (200ยฐC). Wash the honeynut squashes and pat them dry. Use a fork or sharp knife to poke 4-5 holes in each squash. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Rub the oil all over the skins.
  2. Roast the squash for 35-45 minutes until easily pierced with a fork and the skin looks wrinkled and caramelized. While they roast, prep the onion and garlic.
  3. Remove the squash from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. Slice each in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and stringy bits, then scoop the flesh into a bowl.
  4. While the squash cools, start the brown butter. Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the 3 tablespoons of butter and let it melt, swirling occasionally. It will foam, then the foam will subside, and brown specks will form at the bottom (about 3-4 minutes). Once it smells nutty and the specks are deep amber, immediately remove from heat.
  5. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the brown butter for drizzling later. Return the pot to medium heat with the remaining brown butter.
  6. Add the chopped onion to the pot. Sautรฉ for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the smashed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  7. Add the roasted squash flesh and the vegetable broth. Stir in the ground ginger, cayenne (if using), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth. If using a countertop blender, work in batches, fill no more than halfway, remove the center cap from the lid, and cover with a kitchen towel to let steam escape. Blend until velvety smooth.
  9. Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  10. Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle the reserved brown butter over the top. If using, crumble fried sage leaves over each bowl. Serve immediately with crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Notes

Don’t skip poking the squash to prevent explosions. Brown butter can burn quicklyโ€”watch it closely. Use low-sodium broth to control salt. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and coconut milk. The soup tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: honeynut squash soup, brown butter, quick soup, fall soup, easy weeknight dinner, vegetarian soup, gluten-free soup