Creamy Roasted Acorn Squash Soup (Vegan and Dairy Free)

This healthy roasted acorn squash soup recipe made creamy with cashews – a great holiday side or vegetarian main – is dairy-free and vegan and absolutely delicious.

Roasted Acorn Squash Soup

There’s no cream in this creamy Roasted Acorn Squash Soup. Instead, I puree the roasted squash with cashews to make this dairy-free soup. Pureeing soup with beans, potatoes, or nuts is one of my favorite ways to make soups creamy without dairy. Some other soup recipes that use this same method are Turmeric Roasted Sweet Potato and Macadamia Soup, Black Bean Soup, and Creamy Sausage and Potato Soup.

Though acorn squash is low in calories, it’s packed with nutrients. It’s high in fiber, vitamin C, and an excellent source of B vitamins, as well as magnesium and potassium. This acorn squash soup is high in fiber, gluten-free. Using vegetable broth, and olive oil instead of butter and cashews to make it creamy, makes this soup vegan and dairy-free.

Ingredients

• Red Onions: Peel and quarter two onions.
• Acorn Squash: Cut the acorn squash into wedges.
• Olive Oil and Salt: Toss the onions and acorn squash with olive oil and salt.
• Broth: Use six cups of vegetable broth.
• Ginger: Mince fresh ginger.
• Turmeric for a warm, earthy flavor and a pretty golden color
• Cayenne Pepper: Start with a pinch but add more for spicy.
• Cashews: Pureed cashews make the soup creamy, and I like to top my bowl with chopped cashews.
• Cilantro: Garnish with cilantro, or other fresh herbs.

How to Make Acorn Squash Soup

• Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Pour the broth into a large pot, cover it, and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
• Vegetables: Toss the onions and acorn squash with olive oil and salt, and spread it out on the baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes until the veggies are fork tender. Peel the squash, and transfer the flesh of the squash and the onions to the saucepan with the ginger, turmeric, and cayenne.
• Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil. Then simmer over medium heat partially covered for about 10 minutes.
• Cashews: Place the cashews in a small bowl and top with three-quarter cups of hot broth. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes to soften the nuts.
• Blend: After the soup finishes simmering, remove it from the heat, and stir in the cashews. Pour the soup in batches into a high speed blender or immersion blender, and puree for a couple of minutes until smooth and creamy. For conventional blenders, remove the small lid cap, and cover the opening with a kitchen towel so steam can escape while you blend.
• Serve: Return the soup to the pot and season it to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cilantro and chopped cashews if using. You can also drizzle some cashew cream on top.

How to Freeze Acorn Squash Soup

Leftover soup lasts for four days in the refrigerator, but it also freezes well if you want to save it for later. Once it cools, store it in two-cup containers for easy portioning, and freeze for up to three months. To thaw, place a container in the fridge overnight and warm it on the stove or in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you remove the skin from acorn squash?

Acorn squash skin is safe to eat, but I like to remove it for soup. It results in creamier soup once blended. It’s easier to peel acorn squash once it’s cooked and soft, so I peel it after I roast it.

How do you cut acorn squash for soup?

I cut acorn squash into big wedges for soup. See the photos to know how big. The pieces get soft when they roast and are easy to puree.

Can I substitute acorn squash for butternut squash in soup?

Yes! If you don’t have acorn squash, make it with butternut to make it a butternut squash soup. You don’t even need to peel it! You can also make this with pumpkin.

More Acorn Squash Recipes You’ll Love:

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