A recipe for a healthy and satisfying meal - this winter vegetable soup, with butternut squash and cauliflower is one to make again and again. 98 calories and 1 Weight Watchers SP
When the temperatures drop below freezing, an insatiable craving for comfort food sets in. This winter vegetable soup fits snugly into that category. Warm and nourishing, but surprisingly light. I often make a big batch of this soup and eat it for lunch throughout the week. It’s a great way to work some veggies into my mid-day meal. Cheese and crackers on the side, or a slice of rosemary olive oil bread fills me up.
There’s no need to add cream to this winter vegetable soup to make it thick and hearty. After cooking down the vegetables, simply puree a few cups of the mixture and add it back to the rest of the soup. The flavors are fantastic, rich with the sweetness of butternut squash and earthiness of cauliflower, and punched up with a shake of dried chile flakes.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP RECIPE:
- These are the main components need for this recipe (affiliate links included)…
- Aromatics: This soup starts by sautéing a classic mirepoix, which is a combination of onion, carrot and celery. It provides a wonderful, savory base for any soup or stew. Garlic cloves are also thrown in for extra flavor.
- Tomato paste: Just a tablespoon or two will do you! Tomato paste is made of tomatoes that have been good for hours, concentrating the flavors into a paste. It’s added near the beginning of the process, giving it a chance to cook slightly with the vegetables before adding the broth. If you can find tomato paste in a tube (I buy mine at Trader Joe’s), it makes life even easier. No need to open a new can of tomato paste, or to freeze the leftovers.
- Butternut squash: You have a couple of choices. Either peel, seed and chop the butternut squash. Be sure to have a strong peeler, like this one. Alternatively, buy pre-chopped butternut squash, which is what I do when I’m feeling lazy.
- Cauliflower: The cauliflower should be cut into small-ish bite-sized florets.
- Vegetable broth: Use homemade or store-bought. Just be sure it’s one you like the taste of because that flavor will shine through in the soup.
Is this soup blended?
This soup is partially blended. You could certainly puree the entire soup until really smooth, like my Moroccan Carrot Soup. However, I really like the combination of the blended broth with chunks of tender cauliflower and butternut squash. The soup has a creamy texture, but you’re also surprised with bursts of flavor when you bite into one of the cooked vegetables.
How do you blend soup? Since just a portion of the soup is blended, I prefer to transfer a few cups of the mixture to a blender (affiliate link) and puree it until almost smooth. If you prefer, use an immersion blender (affiliate link) to partially blend the soup, leaving pieces of the vegetables intact.
Can vegetable soup be frozen?
This soup freezes really well. Let the soup cool completely, then divided it into airtight freezer-proof containers like this one (affiliate link), or divide it into resealable freezer bags.
If using plastic freezer bags, first seal the bags after filling, then arrange on a baking sheet. Freeze them on the baking sheet so that you’re left with flat bags of soup that are stackable. It’s a great space-saving trick to keep your freezer organized.
Is winter vegetable soup healthy?
This winter vegetable soup is packed with all sorts of nutrients. Butternut squash provides hefty doses of Vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber. Cauliflower, like many cruciferous vegetables, is high in both fiber and Vitamin B.
Add in the nutrients from the carrots, celery and garlic, and you have a soup that’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fiber.
If you're looking for other healthy cauliflower or butternut squash recipes, look no further than this Cauliflower-Crust Vegetarian Pizza, my all-time favorite Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa or my Roasted Cauliflower Dip (perfect vegan snack for those afternoon munchies).
Winter Vegetable Soup Recipe with Butternut Squash & Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 2 medium carrots cut into thin half-circles
- 2 medium celery stalks thinly sliced
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon dried chile flakes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ¼ pound butternut squash about 4 cups
- ¾ pound cauliflower about 3 cups
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup minced Italian parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion just starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, dried chile flakes and salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one additional minute.
- Stir in the butternut squash, cauliflower, vegetable broth, water and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, partially cover the saucepan and cook until the squash and cauliflower are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Let the soup cool for 10 minutes, then transfer 3 cups of the soup to a blender. Puree until almost smooth, then stir the mixture back into the soup.
- Stir in the parsley, add salt and pepper (if desired) and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on January 3, 2013 and updated on November 11, 2019.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Karly
My only hope for getting "weird" veggies (by which I mean anything that is not broccoli or carrots) into my family is by using them in soup! Love this recipe!
vanillasugarblog
so this is how you get your family to eat cauliflower?
ok, this is good!
lol 😉
Sue
Mmmm, this looks like delicious comfort food at its best! Time to pin!
Ronja @ a dash of faith
This looks like the perfect, warming soup for all those cold winter days.
angela@spinachtiger
That is some kind of delicious winter soup. It looks so thick and comforting, but it's healthy. I'm wondering what the serving size is for the 3 points.
Maureen (TakeThemAMeal)
I love pureed soups and seasonal ingredients! This would be an excellent soup to bring to a friend in need this winter. Thanks!
Kristen
Have I told you lately how much you inspire me? Love your space here and the fact that you encourage so many of us!
Lail | With A Spin
Growing up, I only had broothy types of soup so never got into the habit of making or trying thick soups. You inspired me to try.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
This soup looks fabulous, can't wait to try it!
Mae
I absolutely love that you added cauliflower here.. and completely agree that cream is not necessary for a rich soup, you recipe is proof! Thanks for the nod to Little Fig, too!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Soups R Us...it's all I want lately and this is a new and unique combo I must try. Love the squash and cauliflower separately; why not marry them in a soup? Brrr...wish I had some right this very minute.
Alyssa | Queen of Quinoa
This looks wonderful Dara! Perfect for the negative degree weather we're experiencing in Vermont. All I can think about is a heart warming soup like this. Yummy!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
Maybe *this* is the soup that will get me to eat cauliflower!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
This is the PERFECT recipe for the freezing weather outside!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Lovely soup! It sounds awesome!
Bev @ Bev Cooks
Yyyyyyyyes. All over it.
Robyn | Add a Pinch
Such a great looking soup, Dara. Perfect for this time of year!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I could eat soup like this every day!! Love the chili flakes.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Liz. The chili flakes at a really nice kick.
megan @ whatmegansmaking
Just pinned this one - I have been loving winter vegetable soup lately, and you can't have too many different versions!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree, Megan! This soup is definitely going to carry me through this chilly winter.
Hannah
It's great you are including nutritional information. How much is a serving on this one?
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Hi Hannah - okay, I kind of blew it on that part by forgetting to measure out exactly what a serving was. For now, I'll ask you to estimate a serving to be one-fourth of the soup, but I will update this soon with proper serving information. Sorry about that!