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woman's hands digging a spoon into creamy butternut squash soup topped with lentils and herbs.
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Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Lentils

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 with bread
Calories: 416kcal
Author: Nisha Vora

Ingredients

  • 1 large or 2 small butternut squash (3 lbs or 1.3 kg total)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for roasting squash
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 3 to 4 cups (720 to 960 mL) good-quality vegetable broth
  • ¾ to 1 cup (150 to 200g) green or brown lentils (see Note 1)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar, more as needed (or freshly squeezed lemon juice)

Spice Blend

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for a kick)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (or 1/8 tsp pre-ground)

Cream (optional; pick one)

  • 1/2 cup (120g) full-fat coconut milk, well-stirred
  • 1/2 cup (120g) Cashew Cream (see 2nd recipe card); OR

For Serving

  • 1 handful flat-leaf parsley or cilantro chopped (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Crusty bread to serve 4, toasted if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF/205ºC. Arrange two oven racks, one on the bottom and one in the middle.
  • Cook the lentils. Bring a medium Dutch oven or saucepan of water to a boil. Season with a few pinches of salt and add the lentils. Reduce heat and simmer for ~ 8 minutes. Taste a lentil—it should be cooked through but with a bite (you don’t want it to get soft).
    Drain well and transfer to a dish towel to dry out.
  • Prep and roast the squash. While the lentils are cooking, slice the squash in half, vertically, then scoop out the seeds (no need to peel). See Note 2.
    Take a paring knife and make some crosshatch marks in the flesh, but don’t cut all the way through to the skin. Drizzle each half, flesh side up, with some olive oil and rub in. Season the flesh with salt and pepper.
    Line a rimmed sheet with parchment paper. Place squash flesh side down. Roast on bottom rack for 45 to 55 minutes, or until somewhat browned and fork tender.
  • If making the Cashew Cream (see 2nd recipe card), start on that now.
  • Prep the lentils. Add the lentils to a second rimmed sheet pan and toss with 1 TBSP olive oil and sprinkle with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Spread out to distribute so there's minimal overlap. Set aside for now.
  • Roast the lentils: When the squash has 20 minutes left, add the pan of lentils to the middle oven rack. Roast for 15 minutes. If the lentils have not crisped up, shake the pan to toss and roast for 5 more minutes until crispy but not rock hard.
  • Meanwhile, cook the aromatics. Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in the saucepan used earlier over medium-high. Once hot, add the onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 7 minutes, or until softened and turning color. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the Spice Mix and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in 3 cups (720 mL) broth, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
  • When the squash is done, peel off the skin with your hands. Transfer flesh to a 64 oz / 2L stand blender. See Note 3 if you don't have a blender or if yours is smaller.
    Pour in the onion-broth mixture, the coconut milk or Cashew Cream if using, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar (or lemon juice). Remove the center cap and cover with a dish towel to allow steam to vent.
    Blend until smooth, creamy, and warmed through. If too thick, add more broth or water. Taste, adding salt/pepper or vinegar to taste.
  • Pour soup into bowls, top with crispy lentils, and chopped herbs, if using. Drizzle on a bit of good olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt; serve toast alongside the soup.

Video

Notes

Note: This recipe has been updated as of November 27, 2024. 
Note 1: Use the larger amount of lentils if you want to stretch out this soup more. 
Note 2: If you’re having trouble slicing your squash, microwave the whole squash for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the flesh, then slice. 
Note 3: If your stand blender is smaller, blend in two batches. No stand blender? Leave the onion-broth mixture in the soup pot, add the squash flesh, salt, pepper, and vinegar, and blend everything with an immersion blender. It won’t get as silky smooth as a stand blender and will be more of a rustic soup.