Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons

Name: Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts).
Ingredients: 1 medium butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 large onion, chopped; 3 celery ribs, chopped; 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage or 2 teaspoons rubbed sage; 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth; CROUTONS:; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage or 1 teaspoon rubbed sage; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups cubed French bread (1/2-inch cubes); Cooking spray; Additional grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Roasting creates a rich, caramelized flavor, but you can cook the squash cubes directly in the broth if you're short on time. They should pierce easily with a fork when they're done. —Jen Lehner, Seattle, Washington

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh sage or 2 teaspoons rubbed sage
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
CROUTONS:
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage or 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups cubed French bread (1/2-inch cubes)
Cooking spray
Additional grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

Place squash in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan lightly coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with pepper. Toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 30-35 minutes or until tender, stirring every 15 minutes. Set aside.
In a Dutch oven, saute the onion, celery and sage in remaining oil until tender. Stir in the broth and squash. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Cool slightly.
In a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth. Return to the pan; heat through.
For croutons, in a small bowl, combine the cheese, oil, sage and garlic. Add bread cubes and spritz with cooking spray; toss to coat. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 425° for 5-8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle each serving of soup with croutons and additional cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 179 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 541mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Parmesan Croutons in Healthy Cooking October/November 2009

Reviews

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Average Rating:

chand002

Oct 25, 2018

Amazing taste!!
rwippel

Nov 13, 2013

Absolutely deliscious!!! I didn't know butternut squah soup could be this deliscious without heavy cream. This is going to become a fall staple!
cmcanon

Oct 26, 2013

TO JENNBRATTON AND LIZCAV---TRY ADDING JUST A PINCH OF NUTMEG AND A PINCH OF GARLIC TO THE SOUP. IT REALLY PERKS UP THE FLAVOR. BE CAREFUL HOW MUCH YOU ADD AS BOTH ITEMS CN BE QUITE STRONG
TressaC

Oct 26, 2013

would love to try this. Any suggestions on what I could replace the sage with. Really dislike sage.
jennbratton

Jan 4, 2011

I take that back, I clicked on the wrong recipe, this is not the one I made. I made the Creamy Butternut Soup. Sorry all.
jennbratton

Jan 4, 2011

It wasn't a bad soup, but it was a little bland for my family's taste. I'm not a natural in the kitchen, so I do not know exactly what I would add to kick it up a notch, I just know that my family has requested that I do not make it again.
LizCav

Aug 23, 2010

I made this because I was experimenting with some "savory" squash recipe's instead of the traditional sweet ones. My husband hates the texture of squash, and I thought this soup would mask that. The texture was fine, but the flavor was lacking. Reminded us both of pea soup. I did not make the croutons, but will probably not be making this soup again.
sewingmama

Jan 16, 2010

Everyone loved this at my house. Will certainly make again.
urchinlee

Nov 13, 2009

Roasting the squash really makes it delicious. I also added in 2-3 apples that I roasted with the squash.
Ginger H

Oct 31, 2009

I made this for our ladies night out at church and it was a big hit!