I am a huge fan of roasted butternut squash soup. It is so simple to make, and so versatile. This version of roasted butternut squash soup is made with bacon and crispy leeks and makes for a perfect light lunch or dinner.
This roasted butternut squash soup is even better when prepared in a gorgeous new Le Creuset dutch oven in their new color, Teal, which is exclusive to Williams Sonoma and one of my most favorite colors.
Gorgeous, isn't it? I have had a 7 ¼ Qt Le Creuset round dutch oven for almost 15 years in a lovely green color called, "Kiwi". It is well worn and loved, hundreds of recipes made it in from soups to braises to breads and more. The handle on the lid is cracked, the bottom is blackened from time spent over a gas flame. But it is still going strong. These pots last forever. My kiwi pot might not be as beautiful as it once was, but it is well loved and will always have a spot in my home. And now I have a new pot to go with it. Both match my sea glass color themed kitchen. And I am so excited for double batches of everything I normally make in one pot.
I have several squash soups already on my blog but that doesn't stop me from making more. I adore squash soups at all times of the year. This roasted butternut squash soup recipe actually started from a pan roasted squash dish my husband made one night for dinner as a side to amazing pork chops he grilled. It was one of those clear out the fridge recipes. We happened to have a butternut squash we needed to use soon along with some leeks. We had bought leeks to go with homemade chicken stock, and bacon we always have on hand.
My husband took that butternut squash, peeled, removed seeds and cubed it, added it to chopped bacon and thin strips of leeks, and spread it all out on a baking sheet. The squash cooked and leeks crisped up in the fat that the bacon released as it cooked. Simple recipe yet so good. I told him how these ingredients would be great as soup too. Roast the squash in bacon fat in the oven to slightly caramelize it and add a nice smoky flavor to the squash. To keep the soup relatively simple I start with yellow onion, leek and garlic cooked in bacon fat to keep the flavor simple and yet still smoky. I always add in a little white wine and then the roasted squash is added in.
Chicken or vegetable stock is then added, the soup is simmered then pureed. No creams or dairy is added other than a swirl of yogurt on the top and that is optional if you want to keep it dairy free. It is a fairly thick soup, you can always add more stock if a thinner soup is desired. If you would like a butternut squash soup that is a bit richer with dairy you can try my Ritz Carlton Creamy Butternut Squash Soup recipe.
Simple recipe for a complex tasting soup. I love roasted butternut squash soup and I hope you all love this version as much as I do.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon and Crispy Leeks
Ingredients
- ½ lb thick cut bacon, 6-8 slices
- 3 lb Butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, cut in to 2 inch chunks
- ½ yellow onion, diced ( about half a cup)
- 2 large leeks
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste
- ½ C white wine
- 4 C chicken or vegetable broth
Garnish
- Greek Yogurt
- bacon
- crispy leeks
Instructions
- Slice bacon in half lengthwise, then into half inch pieces. Cook in a cast iron dutch oven until crispy, stirring frequently. Remove bacon to paper towel lined plate to drain. Reserve bacon fat, saving one tablespoon for the leeks.
- Preheat oven to 400 Deg. Spread butternut squash chunks on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 2 tablespoon of bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring and flipping chunks every 10 min, until starting to turn golden.
- Prepare the leeks. Trim off ends and any tough outer leaves. Trim off dark green tops so only white and light green remain. Cut in half lengthwise and rinse well. Cut one into 4 lengthwise sections then into smaller quarter moon pieces, set aside. Cut the other in half widthwise then trim into thin strips - about 3-4 inches in length set aside.
- While the squash is roasting, cook the onion and diced leek in the dutch oven in the remaining bacon fat. If there isn't much fat left, add a tablespoon of oil or butter. Once the onion and leek are soft and translucent, about 3-4 min of cooking, add the garlic and stir for one minute. Add in the white wine and stir then add the roasted squash.
- Add 3 cups of the chicken or vegetable broth to the pan and stir. Bring to a simmer. Transfer
mixture to a blender and blend until smooth then transfer back to the duct oven. This might
take two batches. Add in the remaining cup of broth to the blender to clean out any squash
mixture that might be stuck and add it all back to the dutch oven. Bring to a simmer. Taste
and season with salt and pepper. - Heat a sauté pan with a tablespoon of reserved bacon fat and add the strips of leeks and
sauté until crispy. Remove to a paper towel to drain slightly. - Divide soup into bowls. Top with a tablespoon of yogurt and sprinkle on some of the
cooked bacon and crispy leeks. Serve with crusty bread.
What if fresh butternut squash isn't available? You can look for frozen. It will roast up almost the same as fresh or you can substitute a similar squash such as kabocha or acorn.
Lauren Wyler says
Turkey Andouille Gumbo! Yum Yum!
Laura R says
I love chicken tortilla soup!
Kimberly says
I love carrot ginger soup 🙂
Ty Gray says
Homemade chicken noodle
Nancy W says
This soup looks so yummy! That color of the dutch oven is absolutely gorgeous!
Samantha says
Oh I'd plan on making a tomato soup in this pot, of course!!
Alyssa says
I love a good chowder. Corn, Clam, Lobster, they are all great to me.
Natalie says
My current favorite soup is roasted cauliflower soup. So good with some crusty bread!
Marisa says
I'm a basic girl. I love me some homemade chicken noodle.
Devi McDonald says
Always looking for new soup recipes to try! This one looks amazing!
Monica says
Cabbage soup with lots of cabbage and hearty vegetables! ❤
Milisa says
This sounds fantastic. It has been unreasonably cold lately and soup has been on the menu often. Tonight we had ham, potato and kale soup. This butternut squash soup would definitely be a hit and nothing beats a LeCreuset pan to cook it in!
Lyn Mackay says
I have so many soups I love but my favorite has to be cram of carrot soup 🙂
Cass says
Tomato soup is my favorite
Tammy kubitz says
Pasta fagoli
Cori W says
I love a good potato soup, but this butternut squash soup sounds like it would be right up there.
Katie Fields-Damke says
Mushroom soup is my favorite. But this looks fantastic and I will have to try it.
Darlene N says
My Mom's vegetable soup!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This pot is GORGEOUS! I wish I had this soup for dinner tonight. I'm so hungry and soooooo don't want to cook. Love those crispy leeks on top!
Sue Pandey says
I love roasted jalapeño with cream soup!
Robin G. says
I’m from New England, so lobster bisque is by far my favorite!
Will G says
I like Chicken Noodle.
Sonia Daily says
My favorite is butternut squash soup - can't wait to try this!
Melinda Matthews says
I love anything creamy...chowders, bisques, literally pick one
Sandy Headtke says
My favorite soup is navy bean and ham. For some reason I only make it when I have a holiday ham bone, need to make it more often.
Kate D. says
I love Taco soup!
Rachel says
My favorite soup is broccoli cheddar.
Nikki H says
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.
Jenn says
Lobster bisque is my favorite. That pot is my favorite color!!
Liz B says
Chicken noodle of course!
Megan Brown says
I love all soup, but a good french onion is hard to beat!
urvashee says
Lentil soup. I like butternut squash too!
libby rouse says
Chicken noodle soup
Haley says
All soupnis my favorite! I’m obsessed! I could eat soup every night. Especially homemade chicken pho! Yum!
bn100 says
minestrone
Peabody Jennifer Johanson says
Oh, that is a hard one because I am a soup lover. I would say right now my favorite is lobster bisque.
Victoria says
Looks gorgeous!! I’m all in for some roasted tomato soup.
Candice Lewis says
Clam Chowder. I have been thinking that I need to make more homemade soups. Saving your recipe--may need to try!!!! Thank so much for sharing
Christine Robinson says
Avocado Chicken Corn Chowder...I got the recipe here!
Victoria says
French Onion!
Mindy Kinnaman says
I really love loaded baked potato soup. I haven't had a good one in years due to being lactose intolerant, but with all of these new lactose-free cheeses and milks, I'm going to have to give it try again.
Michele S. says
My favorite soup is chicken noodle soup! Would love to make it in this pot!
Erin says
French onion soup is my favorite!
Courtney Massey says
My favorite soup is a creamy potato soup! There are so many soup recipes I want to try and this recipe, and pot, look absolutely gorgeous! (like everything you do!)
Calvin says
Potato leek or lentil soup
Michelle B says
My favorite soup is Ukrainian Green Borsch. It is the best!
Thanks for the chance in the giveaway. That blue is an amazing color!
Denise M says
I really like baked potato soup
Rene’ says
My favorite soup is broccoli cheddar 😋
Jen says
Butternut/Apple/pumpkin is my specialty!
Katherine says
Creamy wild rice and pheasant!
Jolene says
My favorite soup is Lemon Chicken Rice!
Carlee says
I love so many soups, but chicken pot pie is one of my favorites!
Kailey says
French onion is always a winner in my books!
Lillian Barrows says
I think my favorite soup would have to be a Thai Tom Yum soup. But I also love a good parole, tortilla soup, and hot & sour soup too. I love all the soups!!
Kathi says
Halibut & Shrimp chowder ( 1973 recipe ) was my first attempt pleasing my in-laws with Honey-Mustard oatmeal homemade bread .
Michelle says
It's a toss-up between Butternut Squash, Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato, and Miso. I love all three.
Kristina Restivo says
Cream of tomato with thyme.....
jan says
We love Thai coconut curry
Shelley says
I love Le Creuset and would love to own one of these!! My favorite soup is White Chicken Chili...I make it all the time in the winter and it’s so wonderfully spicy and comforting during those cooler months.
Pamela Shank says
New to your blog...I can see that I have lot ofatching up to do. Recipes look wonderful. That dutch oven is truly a beautiful color. I have a purple one. Love this color
Gina says
Cream of broccoli with cheddar cheese is always popular at my house - topped with homemade ranch croutons.
Monica Riccio says
My favorite soup is German lentil soup
Rebecca says
Seriously, I love all soup!
Kit says
I love all soups and this one looks especially delicious. I can't wait to make it.
Nadia says
Tomato bisque
Tee says
Chicken tortilla soup is my favorite
Jen says
My favorite soup is chicken pot pie soup!
Kenneth Shijoy says
My favorite to eat is probably Won Ton Soup, but my favorite to make is Chicken Noodle Soup.
Leila Potter says
I love my mom's sausage potato soup!
Kelsey Heaviside says
Yum that looks so good! My favorite soup is a hearty Corn Ham Chowder my mom makes. Mmmm!
Jennifer says
Favorite of all time, Grama’s chicken soup!
Diana says
Coconut Lentil Soup!
Shirley Shepherd says
My favorite soup is chicken noodle soup.
Jillian Too says
I love butternut squash apple soup, especially in the Fall when we've picked the apples ourselves.
Sandra Preti says
My favorite soup is Ribollita, except I make it vegetarian.
Elena says
My favorite soup is chicken noodle.
Mindi says
Creamy tomato!
Jessica To says
Potato soup is my favorite.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I love chicken corn chowder.
Elizabeth W says
I love lentil and chicken tortilla!
Jeffrey says
I've always been a fan of Wedding Soup, love the combination of meatballs, chicken and spinach!
Brittany Whitley says
Buffalo chicken soup is my absolute favorite soup!
Diane says
This soup looks fantastic and with bacon... my fav! My favorite soups are often potato based, clam chowder, zuppa toscani, loaded baked potato. I’d make them all in that gorgeous pot you’re giving away if I win and your soup too!!!
J says
My Dad's homemade chicken noodle soup that he still makes once a week! My Mom is a great cook, but she thinks he makes the best soup and stays right out of the kitchen.
Heather W says
I love corn chowder!
Erin M says
I love cream of turkey soup.
Kayla Klontz says
Cheddar broccoli soup is my favorite.
laura bernard says
broccoli soup!!
stella methvin says
My Lobster Chowder or Manhattan Clam chowder
Allen Gibson says
My favorite soup depends on the weather. When cold outside, I love a good thick egg drop soup. In warmer weather, a good clam or corn chowder is unbeatable.
Kathryn M says
Probably the corn chowder that I make in my slow cooker that has potatoes & Kielbasa in. Super easy to make and so comforting and filling.
Kimmy Ripley says
I love chicken detox soup with turmeric and ginger!
Kelsey vinson says
Loaded potato soup is a family fav in this house
Leslie says
Hm... favorite soup... gonna have to go with broccoli cheddar!
Lisa says
Nothing beats Chicken Noodle!
Treacy Halvorsen says
There's nothing like a good potato soup, with cheese, bacon, and leeks!
Barb says
I love squash soup.
Trisha Musgrave says
Homemade chicken and wild rice soup is my favorite!
Eileen Boyce says
I love vegetable soup with cheese and crackers in it.
Tabathia B says
chicken tortilla soup
Juanita May says
Cheddar broccoli soup is my favorite.
nancy gallagher says
French onion, homemade turkey noodle soup and snapper are the only soups I will eat all so yummy
Molly says
I loveFrench onion soup.
ae minx says
Chicken dumpling! Yum!!
Jenny Ham says
cauliflower and cheese soup is my all time favorite
September Fink says
Cheese and Broccoli soup is my favorite.
Leigh says
New England Clam Chowder
Dolores Miranda says
I love my home made chicken noodle soup!
Beth embrey says
Homemade loaded potato soup
stacey says
I like a good hearty vegetable soup
Amanda G says
My favorite soup is vegetarian vegetable.
Jenb Eggert says
Loaded potato soup
Tracy Shafer says
My favorite is a thick veggie soup!
Mandy Bruenger says
Potato soup
Cassandra D says
Cream of celery soup.
Katherine Lee says
My favorite soup is my mom's chicken noodle soup!!
Heather says
I love Tom Kha Gai!
Christine White says
French onion
Christina London says
I love chicken noodle soup
Christina l says
I love chicken noodle soup
Kit says
This soup sounded so good, I had to make it. It tastes as good as it sounds. Fairly easy to make too. Very, very yummy. The bacon and the fried leeks on top are a great touch.