Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

If you are a fan of Panera’s Squash Soup, you must try this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • One small yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 pounds chopped butternut squash (about six heaping cups)
  • Three small carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3-4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups apple cider or apple juice (do NOT use apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Dash of nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 ounces low-fat (Neufchatel) cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, more to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Heavy cream, optional

 

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent, stirring frequently.
  2. Add vegetable broth, apple cider, squash, carrots, and spices.
  3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until squash and carrots are soft. Remove from heat and add pumpkin puree, butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar. Blend until very smooth. Puree with a hand (stick) blender or in batches in a regular blender.
  4. Taste the soup and add salt as desired. If desired, add more vegetable broth to thin soup. You can also add a little heavy cream if you want a more decadent soup. You may also add extra brown sugar or honey to achieve a taste closer to that of Panera’s.
  5. Return to burner over medium-low heat, if needed to heat the soup back up, and then serve immediately.

 

Notes

  • If you want it to be just like Panera squash soup – add more brown sugar and honey to taste. Adding more cream will also give it a richer flavor.
  • This soup calls for two cups of apple cider, NOT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. If you can’t find apple cider (sometimes it’s hard to see if it’s not fall), use a natural (100% juice) apple juice. If you use vinegar by accident, your soup will NOT turn out and will NOT taste like Panera’s.
  • To reduce sodium, use low sodium or no salt added vegetable broth.