Butternut squash soup is a beloved dish, celebrated for its rich, creamy texture and delightful flavors. It’s the quintessential fall soup, embodying the cozy essence of the season. But the question often arises: what should you serve with butternut squash soup to create a complete and satisfying meal? This guide is your culinary companion, filled with a curated collection of recipes for salads, sandwiches, main courses, and breads that beautifully complement butternut squash soup, ensuring a dining experience that’s both memorable and delicious.
Butternut squash itself is a fall favorite, versatile and flavorful. Its inherent creaminess makes it an ideal base for soup. For a simple yet incredibly tasty butternut squash soup, consider roasting butternut squash with red onion and then pureeing it with high-quality vegetable stock. This creates a foundational soup that’s wonderful on its own but also acts as a fantastic starting point for customization.
This soup is equally suited for a quick, comforting lunch or an elegant course at a holiday dinner. It’s the perfect choice to serve as a sophisticated soup course at any fall gathering or festive holiday meal.
Understanding Butternut Squash Flavor Profile
To truly appreciate What To Serve With Butternut Squash Soup, it’s essential to understand its flavor profile. Butternut squash tastes distinctly like fall. It presents a delightful blend of sweetness, nuttiness, and richness, grounded by a subtle earthy undertone. Its flavor echoes that of pumpkin and sweet potato, creating a familiar and comforting taste. While butternut squash is generally available throughout the year, it truly shines during its peak season in the fall and winter months.
When cooked, butternut squash develops a texture akin to cooked carrots – smooth and tender. It’s incredibly versatile in cooking methods, lending itself well to roasting, sautéing, mashing, and puréeing. As a winter squash, it belongs to the same family as pumpkin, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash, sharing similar characteristics but with its unique flavor nuances.
Butternut squash soup inherits these flavor characteristics. Dominantly sweet, rich, and earthy, it boasts a luxuriously smooth, velvety texture, making it a comforting and sophisticated dish.
Roasted butternut squash halves on a baking sheet, showcasing their caramelized surfaces after roasting.
Flavor Harmony: What Goes Well with Butternut Squash Soup?
Developing recipes is often about understanding flavor affinities. Some flavors naturally enhance each other, creating harmonious pairings, while others might clash. When considering what to serve with butternut squash soup, thinking about complementary flavors is key.
Here are some standout flavors that beautifully complement butternut squash soup:
- Fresh Herbs: Sage, rosemary, and thyme are classic choices that bring an aromatic freshness.
- Warm Spices: Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, cayenne pepper, and black pepper introduce warmth and depth.
- Creamy Elements: Butter, coconut milk, and heavy cream enhance the soup’s inherent creaminess and richness.
- Cheese: Parmesan, goat cheese, and Gruyere offer savory and tangy notes that contrast and complement the sweetness.
- Sweet Flavors: Maple, bourbon, honey, and vanilla can subtly enhance the natural sweetness or add layers of complexity.
- Proteins: Pork, pancetta, bacon, and chicken provide savory, hearty contrasts.
- Earthy Flavors: Onions, mushrooms, carrots, and parsnips reinforce the soup’s earthy base and add vegetable complexity.
Crafting the Perfect Meal: Side Dishes for Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is remarkably versatile. It stands as a satisfying dish on its own, yet it’s also light enough to pair with other courses. Enjoy it simply with toppings, alongside crackers, or with a crusty baguette for dipping. The classic combination of soup and a sandwich is always a delightful choice. For a lighter meal, consider a fall-inspired salad featuring seasonal produce. When serving it as part of a dinner, butternut squash soup can be a sophisticated appetizer or a complementary side dish to your main protein.
One of the most enjoyable ways to savor butternut squash soup is with homemade garlic butter croutons, fresh sage, and a swirl of cream. To help you create the perfect meal, we’ve gathered a selection of recipes across different categories that pair exceptionally well with butternut squash soup.
Explore these excellent pairings to serve with butternut squash soup:
Let’s delve into each category, offering specific and delicious pairing suggestions.
Sandwiches: Soup’s Best Friend
Soup and sandwiches are an iconic pairing, ideal for a comforting lunch or a light yet satisfying dinner. The pleasure of dipping a warm, toasted sandwich into savory soup is undeniable. These sandwich selections are perfect partners for creamy butternut squash soup.
1. Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese sandwich is practically designed for soup dipping! The combination of gooey melted cheese, crisp fresh apple slices, and sweet honey, all between slices of buttery, crispy bread, makes this Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese an irresistible choice.
2. Turkey Pesto Sandwich
This Turkey Pesto Sandwich is packed with flavor, featuring turkey breast, vibrant pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella cheese. This panini-style sandwich is a fantastic way to use leftover turkey and is incredibly easy to prepare.
A side view of a turkey pesto sandwich, showcasing layers of turkey, pesto, and cheese.
3. Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich
Inspired by Panera’s classic, the Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich features soft tomato basil bread, smoked turkey and Gouda, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes, all enhanced by a signature sauce. It’s perfect for dunking into a bowl of butternut squash soup.
4. Fall Harvest Turkey Wrap
A turkey wrap is a versatile and convenient option any time of year, but it particularly shines when paired with autumn flavors. This Fall Harvest Turkey Wrap is easy to assemble and includes a refreshing cranberry, apple, and butternut squash slaw, echoing the soup’s seasonal notes.
A harvest turkey wrap on a white plate, showcasing its colorful filling and autumnal ingredients.
5. The Best Turkey Reuben
Offering a lighter twist on the classic Reuben, The Best Turkey Reuben is wonderfully crunchy on the outside with a creamy, tangy interior. Using turkey instead of corned beef, it’s filled with melted cheese, sauerkraut, and a special homemade Russian dressing, making it a truly special sandwich.
6. Roast Beef Sandwiches
For a more substantial option, Roast Beef Sandwiches are an elegant choice. Use leftover roast beef from a special dinner to create deli-style sandwiches. Crusty baguette, creamy balsamic horseradish sauce, parmesan shavings, crisp lettuce, and generous slices of roast beef combine for a truly heavenly sandwich experience.
Two roast beef sandwiches on a napkin, highlighting the crusty bread and savory filling.
7. Apple & Brie Grilled Cheese with Baby Greens
This Apple & Brie Grilled Cheese with Baby Greens elevates the classic grilled cheese with luxurious brie, crisp apple slices, and fresh baby greens, dressed with a honey-mustard dressing. It’s a sophisticated and satisfying lunch option, especially when paired with soup.
8. Grilled Turkey Cranberry Cream Cheese Sandwich
Perfect as a light meal after a holiday feast, the Grilled Turkey Cranberry Cream Cheese Sandwich is a delightful combination of creamy and tart flavors, toasted to perfection. The cranberry and cream cheese filling provides a lovely contrast to the savory soup.
A grilled turkey cranberry cream cheese sandwich on a plate with a napkin, showing its golden-brown exterior and creamy filling.
Salads: Fresh and Vibrant Companions
Soup and salad is another excellent pairing, offering balance and freshness. Butternut squash soup harmonizes particularly well with fall-inspired salads that incorporate other seasonal ingredients. The coolness of a salad provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warmth of the soup. Here are some delicious salads to consider serving alongside butternut squash soup.
1. Savory Steak and Squash Salad
While soup and salad is often considered a light meal, serving Savory Steak and Squash Salad with butternut squash soup creates a wonderfully satisfying and hearty combination. This salad features a delicious apple maple dressing, along with squash and cranberries, enhancing the fall theme.
2. Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing
The Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing is a warming and nutritious fall salad. Packed with spiced roasted sweet potatoes, kale, chickpeas, and apples, it’s both easy to make and full of flavor. Hearty kale and sweet potato make this a substantial salad to accompany your soup.
Sweet potato kale salad with maple mustard dressing in a large serving bowl, showcasing its vibrant colors and textures.
3. Fall Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash
For a salad that directly echoes the soup’s main ingredient, the Fall Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash is a perfect choice. It’s a delightful mix of sweet and savory, warm and hearty, making it an ideal addition to any fall dinner or holiday meal.
4. Roasted Chickpea Fall Salad
The Roasted Chickpea Fall Salad is a crisp and hearty salad featuring kale, crunchy pepitas and walnuts, pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, and spiced roasted chickpeas. Topped with a sweet or savory vinaigrette, this salad offers a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the smooth soup.
Roasted chickpea fall salad in a bowl with serving spoons, highlighting its diverse ingredients and appealing presentation.
5. Autumn Harvest Kale Salad
This Autumn Harvest Kale Salad is made with slightly roasted kale and Brussels sprouts, delicata squash, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Naturally paleo and Whole30 compliant, it’s a healthy and flavorful option showcasing seasonal favorites.
6. Wholesome Fall Grain Salad with Harissa Dressing
Packed with goodness, the Wholesome Fall Grain Salad with Harissa Dressing includes roasted butternut squash, grains, and a variety of tasty mix-ins, all dressed with a spicy harissa dressing. It’s a substantial and flavorful salad that complements the sweetness of the soup.
A large bowl of wholesome fall grain salad with harissa dressing, showcasing its colorful grains and roasted vegetables.
7. Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing
The Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing is a must-try for Thanksgiving or any fall dinner. Roasted acorn squash, similar yet distinct in flavor from butternut squash, pairs beautifully with a creamy maple dressing, creating a harmonious fall flavor profile alongside the soup.
8. Fall Cobb Salad
A fun seasonal twist on a classic, the Fall Cobb Salad is loaded with the flavors and textures of autumn. Topped with a rosemary and apple cider vinegar dressing, it’s a hearty and flavorful salad that transforms the traditional Cobb into a fall delight.
A large bowl of fall cobb salad, highlighting its layers of fall-inspired ingredients and vibrant dressing.
9. Roasted Pumpkin Salad
The Roasted Pumpkin Salad, topped with homemade honey vinaigrette dressing, pomegranate seeds, and roasted pumpkin seeds, is a deliciously flavorful salad that works equally well as a meal or a side. Its roasted pumpkin base echoes the butternut squash soup’s core ingredient.
Main Course Proteins: Elevating the Meal
For a more substantial meal, butternut squash soup serves as an excellent side dish to complement a main course protein. Soups in general are wonderful side dishes for savory main courses. Pork pairs exceptionally well with butternut squash, but chicken, beef, and even seafood are also fantastic choices. Here are some delicious main course protein recipes to serve with butternut squash soup.
1. Blackened Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin Recipe
This Blackened Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin Recipe is a standout. The pork is seasoned with blackening spices, seared in a cast iron skillet, and then oven-finished, resulting in juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful pork tenderloin every time.
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Sliced cast iron pork tenderloin on a cutting board, showcasing its juicy interior and blackened crust.
2. Sous Vide Cajun Turkey Breast
For incredibly moist turkey, Sous Vide Cajun Turkey Breast is unbeatable. Coated in Cajun spices, butter, and fresh herbs, and cooked sous vide, it’s exceptionally juicy and flavorful. Perfect sliced thin for sandwiches or thick for a holiday main course.
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3. Whole Roasted Turkey
A classic centerpiece, Whole Roasted Turkey slathered with savory compound butter of rosemary, sage, and thyme is always a hit. Stuffed with garlic, onions, and lemon, and roasted to perfection, it’s juicy inside and crisp outside. Ideal for Thanksgiving or any special occasion.
Roasted turkey pieces on a platter with fresh herbs, highlighting its golden-brown skin and festive presentation.
4. Pork Tenderloin au Poivre
Pork Tenderloin au Poivre is a sophisticated twist on Steak au Poivre. Juicy pork tenderloin, seared and smothered in a creamy, peppercorn-infused pan sauce, creates an elegant roast perfect for holiday traditions.
5. Butter Poached Sous Vide Lobster Tail
For a truly luxurious meal, consider Butter Poached Sous Vide Lobster Tail. Sous vide cooking ensures perfectly cooked, never rubbery, lobster. Served with butternut squash soup, it’s an impressive and decadent dinner combination.
Butter poached lobster tail on a baking tray with a side of butter and lemon, showcasing its delicate texture and rich flavors.
6. Pork Roast Dinner For Two
Enjoy a scaled-down Sunday dinner with Pork Roast Dinner For Two, oven-roasted with vegetables and gravy. Serving butternut squash soup as an appetizer or side dish elevates this meal, making it even more complete.
7. Honey Balsamic Chicken
Honey Balsamic Chicken is a fantastic weeknight dinner option. Tender, juicy chicken with a sweet balsamic glaze and roasted vegetables makes for an easy yet impressive meal. It’s a great main dish paired with butternut squash soup as a side.
A spoon drizzling honey balsamic sauce on chicken with a side of veggies, highlighting the glaze and roasted vegetables.
8. Apple Cider Pork Chops
One-pan Apple Cider Pork Chops are quickly seared and oven-baked with caramelized apples and sage. This minimal-ingredient meal is both elegant and easy, perfectly capturing fall flavors. Pair with butternut squash soup to complete your autumn-themed dinner.
9. Crispy Roasted Pork Belly with Cranberry Mustard
Learn to make perfectly crispy, melt-in-your-mouth Roasted Pork Belly with this easy recipe. Serve it with tangy cranberry mustard to balance the richness of the pork. Butternut squash soup provides a healthy and light counterpoint to this decadent protein.
Crispy roasted pork belly on a serving platter with cranberry mustard on the side, showcasing its crispy skin and juicy meat.
Breads & Crackers: Perfect for Dipping and Crunch
Serving soup with bread or crackers is a classic way to make the meal more filling and satisfying. Homemade croutons are wonderful on top of butternut squash soup, and crusty bread is ideal for soaking up every last drop. Here are some homemade bread and cracker recipes that pair beautifully with butternut squash soup.
1. Homemade Rosemary Cheddar Cheese Crackers
Homemade Rosemary Cheddar Cheese Crackers are crunchy, cheesy, and perfect for snacking or serving with soup. Making them at home ensures no preservatives and superior flavor. Their cheesy, savory notes provide a delightful contrast to the soup’s sweetness.
2. Herb Parmesan Wool Roll Bread
The impressive-looking Herb Parmesan Wool Roll Bread is surprisingly easy to make. Packed with herbs and parmesan, it’s incredibly soft and flavorful. The fresh herbs and parmesan complement the butternut squash beautifully.
Herb parmesan wool roll bread on a wire baking rack, showcasing its soft texture and herb-infused appearance.
3. Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread is incredibly easy to make with just four ingredients and a Dutch oven. A crusty loaf of sourdough is a timeless and delicious pairing with any soup, offering a satisfying chew and tangy flavor.
4. Sourdough Sour Cream And Chive Pull-Apart Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and easy to make, Sourdough Sour Cream And Chive Pull-Apart Rolls are brushed with chive butter and topped with flaky sea salt. They are a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving spread or a special touch with a simple soup dinner.
A pan of sourdough sour cream and chive pull-apart rolls topped with fresh chives, highlighting their soft, pull-apart texture.
5. Sourdough Crackers
These Sourdough Crackers are a healthy and simple snack or soup accompaniment, requiring only five ingredients. They are a great way to use sourdough discard and provide a satisfying crunch with your soup.
6. French Baguette
The classic French Baguette, made with just four simple ingredients, results in long loaves of crusty bread with a tender, chewy inside. Perfect for enjoying with butter, cheese, jam, or, of course, delicious soup.
A stack of French baguettes on a cutting board with grapes, showcasing their crusty exterior and classic appeal.
7. Garlic Butter Rolls
Step up your dinner roll game with Garlic Butter Rolls. Generously tossed in garlic herb butter and covered in fresh parmesan cheese, these rolls are perfect for holiday dinners or any meal needing a special touch.
8. Homemade Crackers
You’ll be surprised at how easy these Homemade Crackers are to make. Crackers add a delightful textural contrast to smooth and creamy soups like butternut squash, enhancing each spoonful.
A stack of homemade crackers and a slice of parmesan cheese, highlighting their simple yet elegant appeal.
9. Braided Challah Buns
Braided Challah Buns are lightly sweet, fluffy white bread, perfect for special occasions. These handheld versions of traditional challah loaves make a stunning presentation and are delicious served warm with soup.
Toppings: Finishing Touches for Your Soup
Butternut squash soup is a versatile base, making it perfect for adding your favorite toppings. Toppings can enhance texture, flavor, and presentation. Here are some topping ideas to elevate your butternut squash soup:
- Texture Contrast: Add croutons, kale chips, or nuts for a satisfying crunch.
- Hearty Additions: Sautéed mushrooms or diced roasted root vegetables can make the soup more substantial.
- Creaminess Boost: Swirl in cream or coconut milk to further enhance the soup’s velvety texture.
- Savory Crunch: Crumbled bacon or pancetta adds a salty, savory, and crunchy element.
- Flavor Depth: Roasted garlic or caramelized onions enhance the soup’s rich, savory flavors.
Two bowls of butternut squash soup up close, with a butternut squash in the background, showcasing the soup's creamy texture and inviting presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to freeze butternut squash soup?
Butternut squash soup freezes exceptionally well. For convenient storage, portion the soup into quart-size freezer bags, about 2 servings per bag, and lay them flat to freeze. Once frozen, you can stand them upright for organized freezer storage. Remember to label and date each bag before freezing.
When is butternut squash in season?
While typically available year-round in grocery stores, butternut squash is at its peak during the fall and winter seasons. This is when its flavor is most intense and delicious.
Is butternut squash soup healthy?
Yes! This butternut squash soup recipe is quite healthy, containing primarily vegetable broth, butternut squash, red onion, and a minimal amount of olive oil. It’s a nutritious and delicious choice, packed with vitamins and fiber.
Meet Lauren
I’m Lauren, the recipe developer, food photographer, and food enthusiast behind Lauren From Scratch. Growing up in New Orleans and living in South Louisiana has deeply influenced my love for food. I’m passionate about sharing mouth-watering Louisiana-inspired dishes and teaching you how to recreate them in your own kitchen!
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