Butternut Squash Apple Soup

This Butternut squash apple soup is creamy, cozy, and full of deep roasted flavor. Sweet squash and tart apples are oven-roasted, then blended until silky smooth and finished with yogurt for richness without heavy cream. It’s comforting, nourishing, and perfect for fall dinners.

Every fall, I end up with a beautiful pile of vegetables from our garden – butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions just waiting to be used. One year, I decided to turn them into a big, cozy batch of Butternut squash apple soup, and it quickly became a seasonal favorite in our house.

I usually just simmer everything on the stovetop, but this time I decided to roast the vegetables first. That simple switch changed everything. The veggies caramelized, the apples mellowed, and the whole soup tasted deeper, richer, and more complex. Once I blended it smooth, I knew I had found my new go-to method, and honestly, I won’t make it any other way.

If you’re short on time, I also have an Instant Pot butternut squash soup that’s just as creamy and comforting, but made entirely in the pressure cooker.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One thing I’ve learned after making this cozy autumn soup repeatedly: roasting the vegetables first completely transforms the flavor. It brings out natural sweetness and adds depth you just can’t get from simmering alone.

Roasted vegetables (butternut squash, Granny Smith apples, carrots + celery, potatoes + sweet potato, half of the onion, butter, salt & black pepper) – Roasting deepens the sweetness and gives the soup a richer, more complex flavor. The potatoes make it naturally thick and creamy.
Aromatic Base (Remaining onion, garlic, olive oil) – This step builds that classic soup flavor that balances the sweetness from the squash and apples.
Liquid + creamy Finish (vegetable stock, milk, plain yogurt) – Use a good-quality stock — it makes a big difference. The yogurt is my favorite trick for adding creaminess and a subtle tang without heavy cream. For a dairy-free option use unsweetened oat milk or coconut milk + dairy-free plain yogurt.
Optional toppings (crispy bacon, fresh parsley) – The bacon adds a smoky, salty contrast that really brings the soup together. For a vegetarian version, try toasted pumpkin seeds, croutons or drizzle of olive oil instead.

How to Make Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Roast the Vegetables. Preheat your oven. In a large baking dish, combine the squash, apples, carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, celery, and half of the chopped onion. Season generously with salt and pepper and dot with part of the butter. Cover with foil and roast until the vegetables are very tender. Then remove the foil and roast a little longer to allow light caramelization. This step builds the deep, roasted flavor that makes this soup so special.
Build the Flavor Base. While the vegetables roast, sauté the remaining onion in olive oil in a large pot until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant — don’t let it brown.
Blend Until Velvety Smooth. Add the roasted vegetables, vegetable stock, and remaining butter to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree until completely smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully blend in batches using a countertop blender.
Simmer & Add Creaminess. Let the soup simmer gently to allow the flavors to marry. Stir in the milk and continue cooking briefly. To prevent yogurt from curdling, temper it: whisk a ladle of hot soup into the yogurt, then stir that mixture back into the pot. This small step makes a big difference in texture. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Garnish & Serve. Ladle into bowls and top with crispy bacon and fresh parsley. That smoky crunch against the creamy squash apple soup is absolutely worth it.

TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

Top Tips for Perfect Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Here are the small details that truly make a difference:

Cut vegetables evenly so they roast at the same rate.
Don’t overcrowd the pan — crowded veggies steam instead of roast.
Season generously before roasting. Squash needs salt to shine.
Blend thoroughly for that silky texture. Let it run longer than you think.
Adjust thickness by adding more stock if needed.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy butternut squash apple soup is incredibly versatile. I personally love serving it:

With crusty sourdough bread
Alongside a grilled cheese sandwich
As a starter for Thanksgiving or holiday dinners
Topped with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch
With an extra swirl of milk for presentation

For a full fall-inspired meal, it pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or a hearty quinoa salad with chicken.

How to Store, Reheat, and Make Ahead

One of the things I love most about this butternut squash soup recipe is how well it keeps – which makes it ideal for meal prep and busy weeks. The flavor actually deepens the next day – I almost think it tastes better after resting overnight.

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days.
Freezer: Pour it into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags (lay flat to save space) and freeze for up to 3 months. I’d recommend freezing it before adding the yogurt for the best texture — stir the yogurt in fresh after reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling after adding dairy. Add a splash of vegetable stock or milk to loosen it up if it’s thickened in the fridge.
Make-ahead tip: This is one of my top make-ahead soups for the holidays. I often make a big batch 2–3 days before Thanksgiving and simply reheat and add the yogurt and toppings fresh before serving. It saves so much time and stress on the day!

If you enjoyed this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Creamy Butternut squash apple soup made with roasted vegetables, warm flavors, and crispy bacon. Cozy, smooth, and easy to make! Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 10

Ingredients

5 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
2 medium Granny Smith apples, cored & chopped
2 large carrots, peeled & chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled & chopped
1 medium sweet potato, peeled & chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium onion, peeled & chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup butter, divided
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock
1 ½ cup milk
1 cup yogurt
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 bacon pieces, cooked and crumbled
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the squash, apples, carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, celery, and half of the onion in a large casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper, dot with ¼ cup butter, cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes, until vegetables are tender.
While the vegetables roast, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the remaining onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Add the roasted vegetables, vegetable stock, and remaining butter to the pot. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy.
Simmer the soup for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the milk and cook for another 5 minutes.
Ladle 1 cup of hot soup into a bowl and whisk in the yogurt until smooth. Return it to the pot and stir well. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm, topped with crumbled bacon and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

To keep the yogurt from curdling, always temper it with hot soup before adding it back to the pot.
For a vegetarian version, simply skip the bacon garnish.
This soup tastes even better the next day and reheats beautifully.

Nutrition

Calories: 293 kcal
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg
Sodium: 559 mg
Potassium: 701 mg
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 11 g
Vitamin A: 13417 IU
Vitamin C: 28 mg
Calcium: 136 mg
Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.