From the Cook
From the Cook
1/3
Warning0 allergens identified
Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Croutons
Parmesan Croutons
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2
Brush the open sides of the squash with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3
Place squash face-down on the baking sheet and roast for 50 minutes or until soft. Remove from oven when done.
4
While the squash is roasting, add olive oil or butter to a large soup pot.
5
Add shallots, onion, carrots, sage, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
6
Add broth, cover pot, and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until veggies fully soften.
7
To make the croutons, add the cubed bread to a second parchment lined baking sheet while the soup is cooking and the squash is roasting. Toss the bread with olive oil, parmesan, salt and pepper, and bake in the same 400°F oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and toasted. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
8
Scoop out the roasted squash from the skin and add it to the soup pot. Blend the soup with an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth.
9
Blend in 1 cup of half and half, ¼ cup crème fraîche, and 1 tbsp of maple syrup.
10
Taste the soup for seasoning, then ladle into bowls and top with croutons and more crème fraîche, if desired.
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Roast Squash First for Depth 🔥Roast halved butternut squash at 400°F for 40-45 minutes before blending to caramelize the flesh and develop rich, complex flavors that prevent the soup from tasting one-dimensionally sweet.
- Sage Infusion Technique 🌿Reserve whole sage leaves to steep in the hot broth for 10 minutes, then remove them before blending, and fry fresh sage leaves separately in butter as a finishing garnish for layered sage flavor without bitterness.
- Crème Fraîche Balance Over Cream 🥄Use crème fraîche as your primary richness agent instead of heavy cream alone—its subtle tang perfectly counterbalances the maple syrup and prevents the soup from becoming cloying or overly heavy.
- Crispy Crouton Strategy 🥖Cut baguette cubes slightly larger than typical, toss in olive oil and grated Parmesan before toasting at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure they stay crispy even when partially submerged in hot soup.
- Final Seasoning with Crushed Red Pepper 🌶️Add crushed red pepper in the final 2 minutes of cooking rather than at the start—this preserves the pepper's bright heat and prevents it from being muted by the long cooking time, creating a pleasant kick that cuts through richness.
Recipe Facts
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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