Panera Butternut Squash Soup Slow Cooker

Warm Up With the Best Butternut Squash Soup Recipes for Wintertime

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As winter sweeps into full swing, the comfort foods that define the season are also making their appearance. From green bean casserole to apple pie, hearty, warming dishes are a big part of what makes this time of year so special. Although wintertime may look a bit different this year, not every tradition has to be put on pause — particularly those that take place in the kitchen. And during times like the ones we're living in, we need all the restorative warmth we can get, whether that's from tradition or a big bowl of rich soup.

One traditional staple that should be making an appearance on your winter dinner table? Squash soup. Thick, creamy and oh-so-savory, easy butternut squash soup recipes are perfect when you're looking to brew up a bit of snow-day comfort while still maintaining the much-needed restfulness that this season demands. If you're ready to get cooking, check out five of the best butternut squash soup recipes to warm you up as winter's chill rolls in.

Best Classic Butternut Squash Soup

When it comes to butternut squash soup, you can't go wrong with a classic recipe. This soup recipe from Food Network has all the warmth of a dish that's been passed down for generations. However, there aren't any culinary bells and whistles to trip you up as you prepare this dish. With only six ingredients in this full-bodied mix, this soup will turn out delicious whether or not you consider yourself a chef.

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To prep this classic combo, you'll simply need to simmer chunks of squash, onions, nutmeg, salt and pepper in rich chicken stock. When the veggies are soft, you'll blend them together — this one really couldn't be easier. For a little extra pizzazz, drizzle some heavy cream on top and sprinkle on a garnish of fried sage leaves.

Another perk of this classic? The broth is a blank canvas. Once you're comfortable with this recipe, you can throw in garlic, onions and other flavorful seasonings and morsels to add your own tasty kick to the recipe. The one thing you need to do to ensure this soup is top-notch is to properly puree the squash. Using this blender, which offers pre-programmed puree cycles for the smoothest mixing possible, is the best way to knock this recipe out of the park.

Best Roasted Butternut Squash Soup With Chive Oil

Plenty of people toss chives into their entrees, but have you ever used chive oil? The tangy, onion-esque flavor makes it a perfect addition to most savory recipes that call for a smooth texture, including squash soup, and a drizzle definitely amps up your plating presentation.

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This recipe from Tasty utilizes the classic ingredients of butternut squash soup while also mixing in some flavorful add-ons, including white wine, walnuts and onions. And that's not to mention the added flavor that roasting the squash creates. The chive oil is poured over the dish at the end, adding tasty decorative drizzle over the soup. You don't want to let this season go by without trying this delicious dish, which involves roasting the squash in the oven, combining it with broth and other seasonings, and whipping everything together with an immersion blender.

This dish benefits from cooking in a large stockpot — one that holds up well to all the searing, sautéing and simmering you'll do throughout winter and many years beyond. This Rachael Ray Round Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a stellar choice for this recipe and for most seasonal dishes and soups. Not only does this pot work on both electric and induction stoves, but it's also oven safe to handle a range of recipes. It works especially well for dishes requiring only one pot, and the pastel enamel makes it beautiful enough to use for serving, too.

Best Bacon Butternut Squash Soup

If you're a meat eater, you know there are few dishes that a sprinkle of bacon can't improve. The creators of this Delish recipe agree. This bowl-lickin' good soup recipe calls for all the classic components of your standard butternut squash soup recipe and then adds thyme leaves, garlic and bacon for a flavor combination that'll have everyone asking for second helpings.

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So, what makes bacon such an excellent addition in this dish? It isn't used only as a garnish — you'll mix it directly into the soup broth after sauteing the vegetable ingredients in the leftover bacon fat, which allows the meat's smokiness to fully permeate every spoonful.

Much like the other recipes, this one also calls for the squash to be blended to smooth perfection. However, the order in which you'll add ingredients requires that you blend the squash after mixing it in with the other ingredients. To accomplish this, get your hands on an efficient immersion blender. You can place this easy-to-use device into just about any mixture to incorporate all the ingredients smoothly; its five different speeds can handle bulkier veggies and ingredients like squash with ease. Plenty of chunky winter soups call for a similar blending process, so it's worth investing in one of these neat handheld machines.

Best Apple-Butternut Squash Soup

Looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth while getting more gourds into your diet? It's a noble goal, and this Martha Stewart Apple-Butternut Squash Soup recipe can help you reach it. This soup incorporates both butternut squash and red and yellow apples to create a satisfyingly sweet and savory flavor blend. Cayenne, coriander and ginger also make appearances to create a symphony of tastes within the otherwise simple dish. Additionally, the balanced flavor blend of this broth provides plenty of opportunities for unique garnishes, from spicy peppers to apple chunks.

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With apples, squash and other veggies and fruits on the ingredient list, this dish (like many holiday recipes) requires plenty of chopping, dicing and slicing. Often, hard foods can wear down the sharp edges of knives. But the Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife is a stellar choice for keeping your seasonal meal prep simple and successful because it stays sharp and is easy to sharpen. In addition to its extremely sharp blade, this knife boasts an ergonomic handle and a long-lasting, nicely weighted build that will serve you through many dinners to come.

Best Butternut Squash Soup With Chickpeas

Although butternut squash soup is yummy, it isn't typically protein-packed, and squash doesn't make a significant dent in meeting most people's daily protein requirements. However, getting your protein in with butternut squash soup is a new possibility when you use this recipe. This delicious roasted butternut squash soup from Peas and Crayons combines chickpeas and squash to produce a delectable, protein-packed entree. Avocado oil, paprika and cumin add some additional zest to this savory dish.

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One relatively unique part of this recipe is that several of the ingredients, including the squash and chickpeas, get cooked in the oven rather than in a pot. While typical baking sheets could do the job, this Non-stick Oven Pan set is ideal for this recipe. The pack comes with one baking sheet, one crisping sheet and one roasting pan, allowing you to easily cook squash, other veggies and chickpeas without the inevitable burning and scraping that comes along with many cooking pans. Investing in these affordable, easy-to-wash sheets will help you avoid the stress of cleanup later so you can focus on enjoying your fresh soup.