Cozy French Onion Butternut Squash Soup Recipe Everyone Loves

Golden autumn afternoons call for comfort in a bowl, and this French onion butternut squash soup offers pure warmth with every spoonful.

Caramelized onions dance through the velvety squash base, creating a symphony of rich, deep flavors.

Layers of savory complexity emerge from carefully sautéed ingredients that meld together perfectly.

Sharp gruyère cheese adds a luxurious finish that makes this soup absolutely irresistible.

Sweet butternut squash provides a subtle underlying sweetness that balances the robust onion notes.

Complex yet simple, this soup wraps you in a cozy culinary embrace that transforms an ordinary meal into a memorable experience.

Grab a ladle and let the magic of this soulful soup transport your taste buds to comfort heaven.

Tips to Enrich Butternut Squash Soup Flavor

• Use pre-cut butternut squash from the produce section to save precious prep time and energy.
• Gruyère works beautifully, but feel free to experiment with sharp provolone or aged white cheddar for a flavor twist.
• Toss in diced carrots or celery during the caramelization stage to add extra depth and nutrition to your soup base.
• This soup can be prepared entirely in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days, with the cheese topping added just before serving to maintain that perfect crispy texture.
• Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves or toasted pumpkin seeds on top for a delightful crunch and additional flavor dimension that elevates the entire dish.

Serving French Onion Butternut Squash Soup Hot

• Cozy Bread Companion: Slice a hearty baguette or rustic sourdough into thick pieces, lightly toasting them to add a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the soup's creamy texture.
• Herbal Garnish Elegance: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley on top of the melted cheese to bring a pop of color and a burst of fresh herbaceous flavor that brightens the rich soup.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio, which will cut through the soup's richness and enhance the caramelized onion notes.
• Salad Side Kick: Prepare a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy dish.

Storage Tips for Butternut Squash Soup

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Cooling Countdown: Let soup cool completely at room temperature within 2 hours, then transfer to airtight containers for refrigerator storage up to 4 days.
• Freezer Friendly: Portion soup without cheese topping into freezer-safe containers, storing smoothly for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Reheating Ritual: Warm soup slowly on stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy consistency. Add fresh cheese topping just before serving to restore original deliciousness.
• Container Strategy: Use glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain soup's rich flavors and prevent potential flavor absorption from plastic storage options.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

French Onion Butternut Squash Soup Ingredients

• Butternut Squash: Creamy foundation that provides smooth, sweet undertones and velvety texture to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Rich liquid base that enhances depth and adds savory complexity to the recipe.
• Bay Leaf: Aromatic herb that infuses subtle earthy notes and rounds out the overall flavor profile.
• Thyme: Delicate herb that introduces gentle peppery and slightly minty undertones to complement the squash.

• Yellow Onions: Caramelized foundation that delivers deep, sweet, and complex flavor layers.
• Garlic Cloves: Pungent ingredient that adds robust, warm depth and enhances overall taste.
• Brown Sugar: Subtle sweetener that balances and softens the onions' sharp edge.
• Coarse Salt: Essential mineral that heightens and accentuates all ingredient flavors.
• Fresh Black Pepper: Zesty spice that provides mild heat and aromatic complexity.

• Butter: Luxurious ingredient that adds silky richness and helps develop deep, golden caramelization.
• Gruyère or Emmental Cheese: Nutty, melty Swiss cheeses that create a decadent, golden-brown crust with tangy depth.

Tools for Making Butternut Squash French Onion Soup

• Large, heavy-bottomed saucepan: Essential for caramelizing onions and simmering soup evenly.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precisely chopping onions and squash.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for preparing vegetables safely.
• Broiler-safe bowls: Crucial for melting cheese and creating golden, bubbly topping.
• Baking sheet: Supports bowls during broiling and catches any potential drips.
• Ladle: Helps transfer soup smoothly into individual serving bowls.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate broth and cheese measurements.

How to Cook French Onion Butternut Squash Soup

• Caramelization Foundations

Gently melt butter in a spacious saucepan, allowing onions, garlic, and herbs to dance together over medium warmth. Sprinkle a whisper of brown sugar to help onions transform into rich, golden treasures.

• Slow Transformation

Patiently coax onions into a deep mahogany color through gentle stirring, letting them soften and develop complex flavors over 25-35 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

• Liquid Symphony

Discard herb stems and introduce butternut squash and broth into the caramelized base. Season with salt and pepper, creating a harmonious blend that simmers gently for 15-20 minutes.

• Cheesy Crown

Arrange oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet and generously ladle the velvety soup. Blanket each serving with a luxurious layer of melting cheese, sliding under the broiler until bubbly and bronzed.

• Serving Moment

Bring the soup to the table immediately, offering crusty bread for dipping and savoring this comforting culinary creation.

Hearty French Onion Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Simmering with rich flavors, this French onion butternut squash soup marries classic French techniques with autumn’s sweetest squash. Caramelized onions and roasted butternut create a comforting bowl we can’t resist savoring to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 3–4 cups butternut squash (cooked, mashed)
• 5 tbsps (74 mL) butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2–3 cups (226–340 g) Gruyère or Emmental cheese (shredded)
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pinch brown sugar
• Coarse salt
• Fresh black pepper

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Instructions

1. Caramelize Aromatics: Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, then combine sliced onions, minced garlic, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and brown sugar. Cook slowly for 25-35 minutes, stirring intermittently until onions transform into a deep mahogany color with intense, complex flavors.
2. Build Soup Base: Discard herb sprigs and bay leaf, then fold in diced butternut squash and vegetable broth. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Simmer on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and squash to soften completely.
3. Prepare Broiler Finish: Position oven-safe bowls on a robust baking sheet. Ladle piping hot soup into each bowl, leaving room for cheese topping. Generously crown each portion with grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
4. Final Broiling: Position bowls under preheated broiler, monitoring carefully until cheese melts luxuriously and develops golden-brown, slightly blistered surfaces. Remove promptly, allowing brief cooling before serving alongside crusty artisan bread.

Notes

• Caramelize Wisely: Patience is key when browning onions; low and slow develops deep, rich flavors without burning.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Authentic Gruyère provides a nutty, complex taste, but Swiss cheese works as an excellent substitute for budget-friendly options.
• Broiler Watch: Keep a close eye during cheese melting to prevent burning; golden-brown spots indicate perfect doneness.
• Texture Tip: Soften butternut squash completely to ensure a smooth, velvety soup consistency that blends seamlessly with caramelized onions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing, Broiling
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg