Butternut squash soup is an exceptionally rich and creamy dish. When it’s cold or raining outside, there’s nothing quite like having a bowl of soup to keep you warm. Apart from its sweet, butternut flavor, its vibrant yellow hue also makes it fun and comforting to eat.
Butternut squash soup is definitely a warm bowl of comfort. But while it will surely satisfy your heart and soul, your tummy might need a little more sustenance. That’s why you should serve something to go along with it!
There’s a wide array of dishes you can serve with butternut squash soup, and I’m here to fill you in. From lighter dishes such as salads and veggies to hearty sandwiches and toppings, I’ve picked nine of the best options to serve with butternut squash soup!
1. Salad
There’s a reason soup and salad is such an iconic combination. While butternut squash soup is already vegetable-based and super nutritious, it’s so rich and creamy, you’ll want a refreshing dish to balance it out.
A light salad is perfect for the job! You’ve got so many choices when it comes to salads, but here’s my suggestion: spinach, apples, cranberries, goat cheese and walnuts.
For the dressing, make a mixture of extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and salt and pepper – a wonderful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory!
2. Roasted Vegetables
Sure, the star of your meal is already veggie-based, but you can never go wrong with more. Having a meal that’s healthy and guilt-free is a great way to make up for all those sinful dishes you’ve had recently!
If you’re making butternut squash during winter or fall, then the perfect veggies to go with it are root crops, because they’ll be in season.
Some beets, sweet potatoes, turnips, and parsnips are perfect for roasting because they caramelize and become even more flavorful. They’re easy to prepare too – just slice them up, throw them on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and your choice of herbs and spices, and pop them in the oven.
3. Glazed Carrots
Speaking of root crops, here’s another one for you: carrots. Roasting them is always great, but if you glaze them in your favorite sweetener and saute them in butter, even better!
This makes the carrots so deliciously sweet and flavorful. A perfect side to go along with your butternut squash soup.
Here’s a tip when preparing your carrots: make sure to cut them uniformly in size and shape so they all cook evenly.
As for the sweetener, you can choose either granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Yum!
4. Kale Chips
Butternut squash soup is smooth and creamy. As such, you might want something crunchy to pair it with. If you want a crisp snack to munch on while gobbling up your soup, how about some nutritious kale chips?
They’re so easy to make, you can definitely do it yourself at home! Here’s how:
Tear kale leaves off the stems and cut into bite-size pieces. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a salad spinner. Place the leaves on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, garnish with salt, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Then enjoy your healthy snack!
It’s guilt-free and super nutritious.
5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
Brussels sprouts have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being just another icky green veggie. It’s a shame, though, because Brussels sprouts taste amazing, provided that you cook them right.
So, if you’re willing to take a chance on this misjudged veggie, here’s the secret. Coat them in lots of olive oil, roast them in the oven for 20-40 minutes, and top them with bacon bits.
Watch them closely so you don’t overcook them. Overcooking brussels sprouts is what leads them to smell and taste a little funky and develop that mushy texture. But when you season and cook them properly, they’re little bites of heaven.
6. Wild Rice Pilaf With Sauteed Mushrooms
If you’re a vegetarian and are looking for something hearty to pair with butternut squash soup, this is the one for you.
Wild rice pilaf with mushrooms has a nice earthy and nutty flavor, which pairs perfectly with the sweet soup. The chewy texture of the rice and mushrooms also give a nice contrast to the smoothness of the dish.
7. Bread
Because butternut squash soup is cream-based, it’s perfect to pair with bread since it can soak up all that thick soup. But don’t go for soft bread because it won’t add contrast to the soup, and will become too soggy when dipped in the soup. You’ll want to pick a tough, crisp bread such as a French baguette, Melba toast, or a Tuscan loaf.
8. Sandwiches
Butternut squash is almost entirely veggie, so you may want to serve it with something more hearty. Sandwiches are great because they add both carbohydrates and protein. making it a more rounded meal.
Opt for meaty sandwiches such as BLT and turkey for more nutritional value. Paninis also make a fantastic option!
9. Butternut Squash Soup Toppings
Butternut squash makes for a thick and creamy soup, so you’ll want to add some texture to that. Crunchy toppings such as pumpkin seeds, crackers, croutons, apples, pears, and pecans all add a different dimension to the velvety soup.
Another excellent topping: bacon. It’s crispy, smoky, and savory, which might be lacking in the soup. So top that yellow dish with some brown bacon crumbles to make it look and taste even more fantastic.
You can also never go wrong with cheese. Whether it’s bleu cheese crumbles, parmesan, or any other hard cheese, adding dairy to your soup will definitely make it more flavorful.
Chewy toppings will also prevent the soup from being too one-note. Add some dried cranberries to give you something to munch on!
In terms of flavor, a dollop of heavy cream or sour cream will add a wonderful tangy twist to your rich and sweet soup. Not too happy about all the extra calories? Here’s a great alternative: coconut milk!
If you want your soup to have an even warmer flavor, sprinkle on some nutmeg or ground cinnamon.
If you want a nice pop of color – top it with some chives or cilantro! The combination of vibrant green and yellow makes for a delightfully appetizing dish.
What to Serve with Butternut Squash Soup: 9 Satisfying Sides
Ingredients
Salad
Roasted Vegetables
Glazed Carrots
Kale Chips
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
Wild Rice Pilaf With Sauteed Mushrooms
Bread
Sandwiches
Toppings
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a delicious side dish!
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