Cozy up with a bowl of Roasted Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup. A comforting, satisfying, and flavorful soup like this, will warm you up from head to toe on a cold winter night!
Hello friends, how is the winter treating you so far? At our end, the weather has started to get chilly and cold. And what does this cold weather calls for?
It calls for soul-warming comfort food, and for us, comfort food = a bowl of hot soup. To beat this cold, I am cooking up a tasty Roasted Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup.
What makes this soup so unique?
This smooth, velvety soup is an excellent winter-warmer and is loaded with hearty veggies and red lentils. It’s packed with a plethora of essential nutrients like – Vitamin C, E, A, K, potassium, beta-carotene, manganese, folate and is –
- dairy-free,
- vegan,
- and gluten-free.
So much goodness all in one bowl! Now, what more can I ask for in a bowl of soup? It’s heavenly!!
Perfect Autumn Soup!
You must be wondering a butternut squash soup recipe – NOW when the fall season is already behind us. Frankly speaking, this recipe has been sitting in my draft folder since fall.
Other seasonal recipes took priority, and it was crazily busy. But now I think, it’s time that this soup could gain some attention.
Coming onto the topic. During fall/winters, soups are served almost every other day in my house. And among all the favorites, Roasted Butternut Squash, and Lentil Soup in constantly in rotation. It’s our feel-good soup that is undoubtedly soul satisfying!
Even my picky eaters eat this soup without a fuss. The best part – I can hide the veggies they dislike in this soup, and they won’t even know it. 😉
What makes up this Roasted Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup?
This recipe consists of three parts-
- roasting veggies
- Boiling red lentils. Lentils are a great way to add protein to the soup.
- Sauteing and cooking everything together.
The recipe starts by peeling butternut squash. It’s a tough job, but with this simple trick that I learned online, you can now easily peel and de-seed a butternut squash. (see step-by-step pics below)
Recipe Contd….
Cut squash into cubes, assemble with other veggies, drizzle oil, salt and bake as directed. Once the vegetables are fork-tender, combine them with boiled lentils, veggie stock, onions and cook for few more minutes. This allows the veggies to blend beautifully with cooked lentils and stock.
Time to puree the soup. Use an immersion blender and puree the ingredients until smooth. Red lentils take the creaminess and texture of this soup to a whole new level.
Finally, complete the soup with a drizzle of coconut cream, chopped green onions, and pomegranate seeds. Serve hot!
Tips to consider!
This is a simple, healthy and versatile soup that can be completely customized to your liking. Some handy tips!
- Store-cut butternut squash works great too. Even frozen butternut squash will work for this recipe, though baking time may vary.
- Feel free to add or subtract veggies as per taste. Other great options include – broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, pumpkin. Possibilities are endless!
- Substitute red lentils with the lentils of your choice.
- Roasting the veggies adds extra flavor to this soup. Therefore, do not skip this step.
- I prefer thick soups but if you like thinner soups than feel free to adjust consistency to your taste.
- Non-vegans substitute coconut cream with regular cream.
- I have made this soup using the cooktop method, but you can even cook it in an instant pot or slow cooker.
Freezer-Friendly!
Like my other soups, this soup freezes beautifully too. Just store in an airtight container for future use. Pair it with whole-wheat bread, and the leftover soup makes a wholesome meal the next day.
Do give this yummy soup a try and if you happen to make this Roasted Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup then let me know in the comments. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them.
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Roasted Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup
Ingredients
FOR ROASTING
- 1 medium Butternut Squash
- 15 pieces of Baby carrots cut into cubes
- 3/4 stalk of Celery, washed and cut into cubes
- 5 cloves of Garlic
- 4 pieces of Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Coarsely crushed Black Peppercorns (adjust according to taste)
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
FOR SOUP
- 3/4 cup Red Lentils
- 1 large Onion, roughly chopped
- 4 cups Water or Vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
SPICES FOR SOUP
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
- - - Salt to taste
Instructions
- A nice way to peel butternut squash that I learned online - Clean butternut squash with a wet towel to remove dirt or grits. Poke holes in the squash.
- Microwave on HIGH for 3-4 minutes. Microwaving it will soften the skin and make it easy to peel.
- After 3 minutes, carefully remove squash from microwave. Allow it to cool for 2-3 minute. Peel the outer layer. Slice the top and end off.
- Cut squash into the half. Using a spoon, remove seeds from the squash.
- De-seeded butternut squash.
- Cut butternut squash into cubes.
- Preheat oven @375 degree F. Grease a baking dish. Add cubed butternut squash, carrots chopped into cubes, celery, garlic cloves, bay leaves and black peppercorns to this dish.
- Spray olive oil and add sea salt. Mix it well. Make sure garlic is not on top of the veggies as it burns easily.
- Bake in the preheated oven (375 degree F) for 30 minutes or until the veggies are fork-tender.
- Wash lentils and....
- Pressure cook lentils for 1 whistle(5-10 minutes) until soft. Red lentils loose their shape and often end up mushy during pressure cooking. No worries at all. Set it aside.
- Check on the veggies. When they are fork-tender (meaning when the fork slides through the baked veggies without any resistance), remove from oven.
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Add onions and cook until translucent.
- Add baked veggies and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add vegetable stock.
- Season with spices.
- Add lentils to the veggies.
- Give it a good mix. Cook veggies for another 5 minutes. This allows the veggies to blend beautifully with cooked lentils and vegetable stock. Remove bay leaves and discard.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the veggies+lentil mix until smooth and creamy. Bring it to a boil. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Take it off the flame. Pour in soup bowls.
- Finish off with coconut cream, chopped green onions and freshly crushed black pepper.
- Serve hot.
MrsG says
Hi Ruchi, I made this and it’s a beautiful looking soup that’s tastes equally divine. Would you kindly let me know how much pepper corn to use. Sorry if I’ve missed it.
Ruchi says
Thank you MrsG, so happy you enjoyed it.
Please use 1 teaspoon. Sorry about that. I will update the recipe.
Sonal says
Beautiful post and lovely comforting soup 😍😍
Ruchi says
Thanks Sonal. 😍😍
Jana says
Can the butternut squash be microwaved ? I have no oven here 😢
Ruchi says
After peeling butternut squash, you can saute it with all the veggies, spices and garlic over the cook-top until fork-tender.