Butternut squash soup is smooth, rich, delicious, and tastes like Fall. Grab a cozy bowl and decide what to serve with butternut squash soup. These are the 40 best recipes to pair with butternut squash soup (in my opinion). They include salad recipes, sandwiches, hearty main dishes, and savory focaccia. If you don’t have a soup recipe picked out yet, I highly recommend this butternut squash & carrot soup!
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Butternut is one of my favorite cozy fall soups. You can make butternut squash soup smooth and creamy, or make it more of a vegetable soup with chunks of squash in it. (You really can’t go wrong.) I have this amazing pressure cooker butternut squash soup that is made entirely in your Instant Pot and is ready in just 30 minutes.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, I’ve got you covered there too! My butternut squash soup with carrot is baked and then finished on the stovetop (all in the same pot). If you have a Dutch oven, you can bake the squash in it and simply transfer it to the stovetop after baking (limiting your dirty dishes). For both butternut soup recipes, you’ll need either an immersion blender or a regular blender will also do in a pinch!
What does butternut squash soup taste like?
Butternut soup is sweet, savory, nutty, and warm (depending on which spices you decide on). Think pumpkin meets carrot meets sweet potato.
If you have ever opened up a can of pumpkin puree, butternut squash has a very similar consistency once blended. It can be cooked in a pressure cooker, roasted in the oven, boiled, or steamed. It is so versatile!
What flavors pair well with butternut soup?
When it comes to seasoning, make it bold and spicy, use earthy and savory herbs, make it classic and warm, or acidic and bright.
Creamy and smooth: Coconut milk is my go-to for making a perfectly creamy butternut squash soup.
Spicy and bold: Use smoked paprika, cayenne, turmeric, ground black pepper, and/or curry powder to make your squash soup bold and spicy.
Savory and earthy herbs: Add thyme, rosemary, or sage to turn up the savory aspect of this soup.
Warm spices: Go with allspice, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and/or nutmeg for a classic warm option.
Bright and acidic: Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, lemon zest, lime zest, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar can all add a bit of brightness to balance out this naturally sweet soup.
Butternut squash, sliced in half, and a bowl of cubed squash.
What To Eat With Butternut Squash Soup
You have so many options when it comes to pairing dishes with creamy squash soup! For a lighter meal, go for your classic soup and sandwich. For a slight variation, make a delicious salad and soup combo. For dinner, serve a warm bowl of butternut soup with a hearty entrée, savory side dish, and crispy bread.
Rae’s Favorite Recipe Pairings
Wondering what to eat with butternut squash soup? Let’s start with my absolute favorites. You can even make all three for an incredible feast!
Easy light pairing: This arugula citrus salad adds a bit of brightness and peppery flavor to your meal. I love how the citrus balances the squash’s sweetness without making it feel heavy.
Best lunch combo: What sandwich goes well with butternut squash soup? Make a beetroot hummus sandwich packed with veggies. I love this combo because the sandwich adds a variety of texture and even tastes delicious dipped in the soup!
Go-to filling dinner: Wondering what to have with butternut squash soup for dinner? My favorite combo is my homemade vegetable pot pie recipe. This vegan pot pie can be a meal all on its own, so you know when it is paired with squash soup, it’ll keep you full until morning. (I have a coconut oil pie crust recipe that is perfectly flaky, but if you prefer to save some time, here are my recommendations for the best vegan pie crust brands.)
These recipes with butternut squash soup make it easy to turn a cozy bowl into a complete meal.
Main Dishes
If you’re looking for a main dish to have alongside your squash soup, then you want something hearty. A cozy single-serve pot pie, lentil sloppy joes, sheet pan meals, or a harvest bowl are all great choices. Here are some favorites and vegan classics to enjoy with your favorite soup recipes.
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Vegan sloppy Joes bring a savory element that contrasts nicely with a creamy soup. Honestly, you could even give it a dunk and enjoy the combo in one bite!
These personal-sized pot pies are a hearty addition to any meal. Made with a homemade vegan pie crust, but you can always opt for store-bought to save on time.
Simple, flavor-packed black bean veggie burger recipe, where nutritious ingredients meet mouth-watering taste. This vegan-friendly option is packed with black beans and a medley of vegetables, ensuring each bite is as satisfying as it is healthy.
When I am thinking of the best salad to go with a warm bowl of butternut squash soup, I consider taste and texture. A salad with texture and crunch is a great choice, as it balances the soup’s creaminess. For flavor, something acidic, bright, or slightly tart can be a nice complement to butternut’s sweetness. Think crisp apples, citrus, nuts, paired with leaf greens, and a flavorful dressing.
Citrus and Arugula Salad
Try my arugula salad with citrus for something light, refreshing, and utterly delicious. With its homemade sweet onion citrus dressing to go along with it (and the soup), it's delicious!
Kale just exudes fall to me (I know it's not fall-specific). The crunch of the kale is a nice addition to the smooth soup, though, and the homemade balsamic dressing is so good on the salad and drizzled on the soup!
Easy, roasted red pepper salad that is packed with protein. Made with crispy quinoa, chickpeas, and a spicy lemon vinaigrette, the flavor is great alongside creamy soup.
Tomato and spinach salad is an absolute classic side to a warm bowl of this soup. The balsamic maple dressing that goes with it is also tasty drizzled on top of the soup! Who would have thought!?
This citrus quinoa salad is so refreshing and satisfying. The citrus and arugula are the perfect combination, and the quinoa adds some awesome plant-based protein.
If you’re looking for recipes with butternut squash soup as part of the meal, these side dishes might be exactly what you’re looking for. The perfect sides for butternut squash soup include traditional veggies, seasonal favorites, crispy fries, and a couple of unexpected twists.
Sweet Potato Fries
These sweet potato fries add to the sweetness and make this meal scream autumn! They are delicious!
An easy canned corn recipe is a quick, sweet side dish. This adds sweetness to sweetness, so if you're looking for more of a savory option, pick a different side.
Now, at first, I kind of doubted pairing tomato with butternut squash. However, it is delicious! This bruschetta is made with a homemade cashew ricotta, which can also be added to the soup directly as a garnish of sorts.
What bread to serve with butternut soup? All of it, am I right? The more bread, the merrier (in my opinion)! From garlic bread to the best focaccia you’ll ever make (or eat) to crispy seed crackers that are perfect for dunking. You really can’t go wrong with these options.
Rosemary Bread
Rosemary bread is a bold, savory bread that pairs perfectly with any soup, including squash!
When it comes to what goes well with butternut soup to drink, well… let’s be honest, you could just drink the soup. (Kidding, not kidding, kind of.) I kept the beverage options light and refreshing with three different infused water recipes.
Pomegranate Limeade
Refreshing and perfectly seasonal for a cozy fall or winter meal. It has a crisp citrus flavor that really balances out the sweetness of squash soup.
What goes good with butternut squash soup when it comes to dessert, you ask? Well, on one hand, I think more pumpkin! On the other hand, I think maybe not so much. For these, I chose a combo of pumpkin-flavored desserts and crisp apple treats, giving you plenty of fall flavors to choose from.
Vegan Pumpkin Scones
These vegan pumpkin scones are filled with warm spices and taste like Fall. So, if you are wanting pumpkin on top of more pumpkin, these scones might be for you.
These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are the perfect balance between pumpkin and chocolate. So, if you are looking for even more pumpkin in your meal, make these. You won't regret it!
Turn your apple cider into a spectacular frozen delight with my apple popsicles recipe. Nothing beats foods on a stick, and popsicles are beloved by kids as well as kids at heart.
Simple apple pie recipe with the best homemade filling. This recipe features juicy Honeycrisp apples nestled in a flaky vegan coconut oil crust, elevated with the warm embrace of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
When it comes to toppings for butternut squash soup, you’ve got so many options! You can garnish butternut squash soup with fresh herbs like sliced green onions or cilantro. For a bold topping, go with red pepper flakes or freshly sliced red onion. For a crunch, sprinkle on pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, vegan bacon bits, or kale chips, and for extra creaminess, drizzle on coconut cream. I also have some dressing, sauce, and topping recipes that are so good on top of homemade butternut squash soup!
Vegan Pesto
A vegan version of your traditional pesto sauce. It’s rich in flavor, all while being dairy-free. You may not have considered pairing basil with squash, but it is divine!
Make these 5-minute pickled onions for a zing to the top of your soup! It really contrasts with the flavor of sweet butternut so it can be a flavorful choice.
Butternut squash soup pairs well with salads, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, seasonal entrées, bread, desserts, and just the right drink.
How can you add more flavor to butternut squash soup?
You can add more flavor by caramelizing onions and cooking with garlic. Coconut milk can add incredible creaminess and flavor to squash soup. You can add spices with heat, such as chili powder, red chili flakes, or curry powder. Add brightness with an acid such as lemon juice or vinegar. For an umami addition, miso paste will do the trick. Finish it off with fresh herbs as a garnish.
What is a serving of butternut squash soup?
One serving of squash soup is one cup.
Is butternut squash soup healthy?
Yes, butternut squash soup is healthy. It’s packed with vitamin C. It’s also a good source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
Hi, I'm Rae. The voice behind Raepublic. I have a Masters of Science in Nutrition and Functional Medicine. My aim is to assist people who have experienced trauma to live a more holistic, well-balanced life. Through nutrition, plant-based eating, sustainable living, mindfulness, and movement.
This was really helpful. I actually would not have thought to eat bruschetta with butternut soup.