Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Garlic

The most decadent sheet-pan roasted butternut squash soup. Roasted vegetables are blended with broth and coconut milk (or heavy cream) for a silky, flavorful soup that comes together with minimal effort.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This sheet-pan soup is easy, uses fewer than ten main ingredients, and requires minimal cleanup. Roast everything together, then blend with broth and a creamy element for a rich, comforting bowl.

  • Simplicity: Straightforward prep with big flavor.
  • Fewer than 10 ingredients: Easy to shop for and quick to assemble.
  • Minimal cleanup: Roast on one sheet pan and blend—no extra pots to scrub.

Recipe Ingredients

Below are the main ingredients used for this soup. Adjust quantities in the recipe card as needed for servings.

all the ingredients laid out on a pink board to make butternut squash soup

Butternut squash: Peeled and cubed or roasted halved and scooped. Either method works—cubed roasts faster, halved is easier to prep.

Onion and garlic: Use a yellow onion and a head of garlic. Roasting the garlic softens and sweetens it—squeeze the roasted cloves into the blender.

Spices: Freshly grated nutmeg is lovely here (or dried nutmeg/pinch of cinnamon). Use sparingly—nutmeg is potent.

Herbs: Fresh thyme works well; substitute rosemary or sage if preferred.

Creamy base: Canned coconut milk keeps the soup vegan and adds richness. Heavy cream or crème fraîche are delicious alternatives.

Broth: Vegetable broth for a vegan version; use chicken broth if not keeping it vegan.

Seasoning: Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance sweetness.

Tips and Substitutions

  • Try different spices: smoked paprika, curry powder, or a pinch of cloves for warmth.
  • Add vegetables or fruit: carrots or apples blend nicely with squash.
  • Top the soup with roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, crispy herbs, croutons, or a drizzle of olive oil or coconut milk.
  • Roasting options: buy pre-cubed squash, cube your own, or roast halved and scoop the flesh before blending.
  • Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or freeze for up to one week.

How to Make Butternut Squash Soup

sheet tray of squash, garlic, onion and thyme ready to be roasted

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a sheet tray, toss cubed squash, chopped onion, a halved garlic head (peel on), thyme, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Roast 30–40 minutes until fork-tender and caramelized at the edges.

blender blending butternut squash soup

Step 2: Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its peel into the blender and discard peels. Add coconut milk (or cream) and broth, then blend until smooth and silky. If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse briefly or use an immersion blender.

adding olive oil on a bowl of butternut squash soup

Step 3: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar if needed. Reheat gently if the soup cooled while blending.

taking a scoop with a spoon of butternut squash soup

Step 4: Serve hot with a drizzle of coconut milk or cream, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, cracked black pepper, and any desired toppings. Enjoy.

sheet tray of butternut squash, garlic and onion ready to be roasted

Serving Recommendations

This roasted butternut squash soup pairs well with roasted or grilled chicken, crusty focaccia, or herb toasts. For appetizers, mushroom and sage toasts or simple crostini are great options.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup FAQs

What if I can’t access fresh nutmeg?

Dried nutmeg is a fine substitute; a pinch of cinnamon also complements the squash.

Do I need to roast my squash?

Roasting concentrates flavor and adds caramelized notes, but you can simmer the vegetables in a pot if you prefer.

Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting?

You can roast halved squash and scoop the flesh, or peel and cube before roasting. Halving is easier; cubing speeds roasting.

Can I store this in the refrigerator and freezer?

Yes. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or freeze for up to one week.

What spices can I add?

In addition to nutmeg, try cayenne, cloves, cinnamon, smoked paprika, or curry powder depending on your taste.

How do I peel the skin off butternut squash?

Trim the ends, use a sturdy vegetable peeler to remove the skin, cut in half lengthwise, and scoop out seeds before cubing.

How do you cut and bake butternut squash?

Either peel and cube before roasting, or roast the squash halved and scoop the cooked flesh. Pre-cubed or frozen squash are convenient alternatives.

Topping and Blending Options

Topping suggestions: Croutons, crispy sage or basil, roasted seeds, or a swirl of basil oil. The soup is very customizable.

Blending options: A high-speed blender yields the creamiest texture, but an immersion blender works well for fewer dishes.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

More Soup Recipes

Roasted Tomato Soup with Crispy Gruyère Toasts

Soups & Stews

Roasted Tomato Soup with Crispy Gruyère Toasts

A bowl of brothy beans with greens and shaved cheese on top.

Dinner

Brothy Beans and Greens

Bowl of lemon white bean chicken soup with vegetables and herbs.

Soups & Stews

Lemon White Bean Chicken Soup

Two bowls of French onion soup with melted cheese and thyme garnish.

Soups & Stews

French Onion Soup

If you make this Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, leave a comment and rating—feedback is appreciated. Tag your photos on social media if you’d like to share your version.

Creamy butternut squash soup garnished with fresh thyme and black pepper.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

A silky, sheet-pan roasted butternut squash soup blended with broth and coconut milk or heavy cream.
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 1 hr
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Baking sheet or pan
  • Chef’s knife

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 large garlic bulb, cut in half
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 1 cup canned coconut milk, or heavy cream
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • kosher salt, sugar, and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a sheet tray, toss cubed butternut squash, onion, halved garlic bulb (peel on), nutmeg, thyme, kosher salt, pepper, and olive oil. Roast 30–40 minutes until vegetables are fork tender.
  • Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender. Squeeze roasted garlic from its peel into the blender and discard peels. Add coconut milk and broth, then blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Adjust seasoning with kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar if needed. Garnish with a drizzle of coconut milk or olive oil, fresh thyme, and freshly ground pepper. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Experiment with spices like smoked paprika, curry powder, or a pinch of cloves for different flavor profiles.
  • Swap coconut milk for heavy cream and butter if you prefer a dairy version.
  • Top with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, crispy herbs, or croutons for texture.
  • You can roast halved squash and scoop the flesh or roast pre-cubed squash for convenience.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days or freeze for up to one week.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 21 g

Nutrition information is an approximation.