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A steaming bowl of creamy butternut squash soup, garnished with fresh herbs, sits on a rustic wooden table, representing delicious Fall soup recipes.

Creamy Autumn Harvest Butternut Squash Soup with Apple & Crispy Sage

This velvety, comforting soup captures the essence of fall with roasted butternut squash, sweet apple, and aromatic spices, finished with a delightful crispy sage garnish. It's the perfect warm embrace for a chilly autumn evening.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Seasonal
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

For the Soup
  • 1 medium butternut squash about 2.5-3 lbs, peeled, seeded, and diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large Granny Smith or Fuji apple peeled, cored, and diced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth (32 oz)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp dried sage
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste freshly ground black pepper
For the Crispy Sage Garnish
  • 8-10 fresh sage leaves whole
Optional Toppings
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans chopped
  • 1 swirl heavy cream or crème fraîche

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Baking Sheet
  • Immersion blender (or stand blender)
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Small skillet

Method
 

Prepare the Squash
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a baking sheet, toss the diced butternut squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is tender and lightly caramelized. Set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
  1. While the squash roasts, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Soup Base
  1. Add the diced apple, roasted butternut squash, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried sage to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Blend to Creamy Perfection
  1. Remove the pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the soup directly in the pot until it is completely smooth and creamy. If you don't have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a stand blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the pot.
Finish and Season
  1. Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk). Taste the soup and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Gently reheat the soup over low heat, being careful not to bring it to a boil.
Prepare Crispy Sage Garnish
  1. In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh sage leaves and fry for 30-60 seconds per side, until they are crispy and fragrant. Remove the crispy sage leaves with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Serve
  1. Ladle the hot, creamy soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with a few crispy sage leaves and a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans. A small swirl of extra heavy cream or crème fraîche can also be added for an extra touch of richness.

Notes

Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Make Ahead: This soup can be made entirely ahead of time and reheated gently on the stovetop. If making ahead, add the heavy cream just before reheating and serving.
Vegan Option: For a completely vegan soup, ensure you use vegetable broth and substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk.