Minnesota Harvest Squash Soup
A creamy, comforting soup made with seasonal squash and herbs, simmered to perfection for a taste of the Midwest harvest. This american-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs olive oil, medium onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups butternut squash
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups cubed butternut squash and 4 cups vegetable broth, then bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until squash is very tender.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches). Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp dried thyme, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Minnesota Harvest Squash Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Minnesota Harvest Squash Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Minnesota Harvest Squash Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Minnesota Harvest Squash Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Minnesota Harvest Squash Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
