Smoky Butternut Squash & Bacon Delight
Warm up with this indulgent Smoky Butternut Squash & Bacon Delight, a perfectly balanced comfort soup that's both creamy and savory. Infused with the rich, smoky flavor of crispy bacon and complemented by the sweet, earthy notes of roasted butternut squash, this hearty treat also features a touch of heat from ground red pepper. The combination of fresh vegetables, tart Granny Smith apple, and a hint of honey adds depth and complexity to the soup, making it a delightful option for both chilly evenings and festive gatherings. Top with extra crispy bacon crumbles and a dollop of sour cream for an extra layer of flavor and texture that will surely elevate this dish to family-favorite status.
N/A
Servings
330
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
bacon
6 slices (cooked until crispy, crumbled)
onion
1 large (chopped)
carrots
2 (chopped)
celery ribs
2 (chopped)
Granny Smith apple
1 (peeled and finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
frozen butternut squash
4 (12 ounce) packages (thawed, or 3 lbs fresh, peeled, seeded, and chopped)
fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
1 (32 ounce) container (n/a)
fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons (n/a)
honey
1 1/2 tablespoons (n/a)
salt
2 teaspoons (n/a)
ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (n/a)
ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon (n/a)
ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (n/a)
ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon (n/a)
whipping cream
1/4 cup (n/a)
sour cream
for garnish (n/a)
ground red pepper
for garnish (n/a)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until they're crispy, then remove and set aside to drain on a paper towel. Leave 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pot.
2
Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside for garnish.
3
Sauté the chopped onion and carrots in the reserved bacon drippings for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is tender and translucent.
4
Add the chopped celery and Granny Smith apple to the pot, continuing to sauté for another 5 minutes until softened.
5
Stir in the chopped garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
6
Add the thawed butternut squash and low-sodium chicken broth to the pot, stirring well to combine.
7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the carrots are easily pierced with a fork.
8
Working in batches, carefully process the hot mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth. Be cautious not to overfill the blender to prevent any eruptions of hot soup.
9
Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the lime juice, honey, salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and ground red pepper.
10
Let the soup simmer for an additional 7-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken slightly.
11
Serve hot, topped with the reserved crumbled bacon and a swirl of sour cream or a sprinkle of ground red pepper for extra heat.
Nutrition Information
21g
Fat
22g
Carbs
9g
Protein
3g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Smoky Butternut Squash & Bacon Delight.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
There are 330 calories per serving.
What are the primary flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish is creamy and savory with smoky bacon, sweet roasted butternut squash, and a hint of heat from ground red pepper.
How much bacon is required for this recipe?
You will need 6 slices of bacon.
What type of apple is used in the soup?
One Granny Smith apple, peeled and finely chopped, is used for its tartness.
Can I use fresh butternut squash instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use 3 pounds of fresh butternut squash that has been peeled, seeded, and chopped.
How much fat is in this recipe?
Each serving contains 21g of fat.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 9g of protein in each serving.
How much fiber does this soup provide?
This soup provides 3g of fiber per serving.
What kind of broth is recommended?
A 32-ounce container of fat-free low-sodium chicken broth is recommended.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 22g of carbohydrates per serving.
What spices are included in the seasoning?
The spices include salt, ground black pepper, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and ground red pepper.
How do I prepare the bacon for the recipe?
Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it and set aside to use as a garnish.
How much honey is added to the soup?
1 1/2 tablespoons of honey are added for a touch of sweetness.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy.
Should I save the bacon drippings?
Yes, you should leave 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pot to sauté the vegetables.
Which vegetables are sautéed first?
The chopped onion and carrots are sautéed first in the bacon drippings.
How long do I sauté the onion and carrots?
Sauté them for about 5 minutes or until the onion is tender and translucent.
When should I add the garlic?
Add the chopped garlic after the celery and apple have softened, and sauté for one minute.
How long does the soup need to simmer before blending?
It should simmer for about 20 minutes until the carrots are easily pierced with a fork.
What is the best way to blend the hot soup?
Work in batches using a blender or food processor, being careful not to overfill it.
How much lime juice is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
What are the recommended garnishes?
Top the soup with crumbled bacon, a swirl of sour cream, and a sprinkle of ground red pepper.
How much whipping cream is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/4 cup of whipping cream.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include soup, vegetable, comfort food, bacon, butternut squash, hearty, spicy, and family-friendly.
How long is the final simmer after adding seasonings?
Let the soup simmer for an additional 7-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How many total ingredients are listed?
There are 18 ingredients in this recipe.
What type of celery is used?
The recipe uses 2 chopped celery ribs.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
This soup should be served hot.
How many packages of frozen squash are needed?
You need 4 (12 ounce) packages of frozen butternut squash.