Cozy High Protein Butternut Squash Soup That Will Warm Your Heart
If you’re looking for a way to make winter meals comforting yet healthy, this High Protein Butternut Squash Soup is just what you need. With the rich sweetness of roasted butternut squash blended with protein-packed cottage cheese, this wholesome soup is perfect for the entire family and can easily be made in about an hour!
Cozy High Protein Butternut Squash Soup
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and healthy high protein butternut squash soup, packed with flavor and nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash (about 3–3.5 lbs), cut in half, seeds removed
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 shallot, peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (divided)
- 1 teaspoon rubbed sage (divided)
- 4 cups bone broth
- ¾ cup small curd cottage cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
- Rub the cut sides of the butternut squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, ½ teaspoon of thyme, and ½ teaspoon of rubbed sage. Place the squash cut side down on the cookie sheet.
- Add the garlic cloves and shallot to the pan, drizzling with a little olive oil for flavor. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the squash is tender.
- Once cool, scoop out the flesh of the squash and cut into cubes.
- In a large soup pan, combine bone broth, cumin, nutmeg, salt, pepper, remaining thyme, sage, and honey.
- Add roasted squash, garlic, and shallot into the soup pan. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Add cottage cheese and puree everything together using an immersion blender until silky smooth.
- Ladle soup into warm bowls and serve with lemon juice on top.
Notes
This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to three days and can be frozen for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Why This Soup is a Must-Try
This cozy soup not only warms you up but also nourishes you, packing in protein from cottage cheese and antioxidants from squash. Each bowl offers you Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and calcium, making it a comforting dish that is equally good for your health. Plus, it’s deliciously creamy without the added heaviness of cream!
How to Make Cozy High Protein Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash (about 3-3.5 lbs), cut in half and seeds removed
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (peeled)
- 1 shallot (peeled)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (divided)
- 1 teaspoon rubbed sage (divided)
- 4 cups bone broth
- ¾ cup small curd cottage cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, and line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
- Rub the cut sides of the butternut squash with olive oil, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, ½ teaspoon of thyme, and ½ teaspoon of rubbed sage. Place the squash, cut side down, on the cookie sheet.
- Add the garlic cloves and shallot to the pan, drizzling with a little olive oil for flavor. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a fork. Let it cool down a bit.
- In a large soup pan, combine the bone broth, cumin, nutmeg, salt, pepper, the remaining thyme, sage, and honey.
- Once the butternut squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and cut it into cubes. Toss the roasted squash, garlic, and shallot into the soup pan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for a moment.
- Add the cottage cheese into the pan, and then puree everything together using an immersion blender until silky smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the ingredients to a blender (just be sure to allow steam to escape to avoid splatters) and blend until smooth.
Serve Up This Delicious Delight
Ladle the soup into warm bowls and squeeze a bit of lemon juice on top for an extra burst of brightness. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal. Perfect for cozy nights in or feeding a family after a busy day!
Storing Your Leftover Treasure
This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just make sure to place it in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to three months—just allow it to cool completely before doing so. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.
Tips for the Best Butternut Squash Soup
- For a spicier kick, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the soup.
- Don’t hesitate to adjust the spices according to your preference. Some love a little extra thyme or sage!
- You can substitute the cottage cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier twist.
Fun Variations to Try
- Consider adding in a few handfuls of spinach or kale right before pureeing for some added greens.
- Swap in vegetable broth for a vegetarian version of this soup.
- Top with toasted pumpkin seeds for a delightful crunch and added nutrition!
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of squash for this recipe?
Absolutely! While butternut squash is perfect for its sweetness, you could also use acorn squash or even pumpkin for a slightly different flavor.
2. How can I make the soup even creamier?
If you’re looking for extra creaminess, you can increase the amount of cottage cheese or even add a splash of coconut milk or cashew cream as a topping.
3. Is it possible to make this soup vegan?
Yes! You can replace cottage cheese with silken tofu for creaminess and use vegetable broth instead of bone broth. Adjust seasoning to your taste!
With the warmth of roasted butternut squash and the creamy delight of cottage cheese, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Cozy up with a bowl and enjoy the nourishing goodness!