Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Super easy and full of Fall flavors, this Creamy Pumpkin Soup is the perfect cozy recipe. Simply roast fresh pumpkins then purée it with herbs and spices for a sweet and savory soup. Warm up with the best from-scratch vegetarian dish all season long!

By far one of the most popular soups on the site during the Fall season is this Roasted Butternut Squash Soup.

And there’s no doubt why that is…

It’s super creamy, vegan, full of Fall flavors, and SO easy to make.

With Halloween and Thanksgiving around the corner I thought, “Why not swap out Butternut Squash for another winter squash… like Pumpkin?!”

After a few rounds of testing – tweaking the amount of liquids and types of spices – this recipe was created!

And wow!!  If you’re a fan of all things Fall and pumpkin flavored, then you are going to LOVE this savory take on America’s favorite Fall squash.

Here’s why this Pumpkin Soup recipe is so awesome:

• It’s made from FRESH pumpkin, but canned CAN be used.
• The roasted pumpkin is like an explosion of both sweet and savory flavors!
• You can eat it as the main dish or an impressive appetizer at Thanksgiving.
• It freezes exceptionally well.
• It’s incredibly healthy for you, and even vegan!

(Be sure to read my notes below about how to present it like a restaurant pro!)

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this pumpkin soup recipe include:

• Pumpkin. The best pumpkins to cook with are pie pumpkins, which are normally found in the produce section at the grocery store next to the other winter squash. Do not select the decorative pumpkins, they are not suitable for cooking. You may also use canned pumpkin puree and will need about 3 cups of it. (But do note: the soup will not have the same slightly sweet roasted taste as if you’d cooked with fresh pumpkin!)
• Garlic and Ginger. Fresh cloves and prepared ginger paste compliment the sweetness of the pumpkin. Grated ginger root is another option. You can substitute with a reduced amount of dried powders, but the flavor will not be nearly as good.
• Dried Herbs & Spices. A mixture of dried sage, thyme, cinnamon and nutmeg give this soup a beautifully complex flavor. If you do not have all of these ingredients, feel free to substitute one for the other or add in some dried rosemary, parsley, or oregano.
• Broth. Mild broths such as vegetable or chicken are best, beef broth is not recommended. A regular sodium broth was tested, but reduced sodium will work as well if you’re watching your salt intake.
• Coconut Milk. Canned, full-fat coconut milk is ideal. While lite milk can be used, you will not get the same thick and creamy texture as full-fat. Avoid the cartons of coconut milk in the refrigerated section. 

How to Make Pumpkin Soup

The basic steps for making pumpkin soup are simple to follow:

Cut in Half

The key to bringing out the most flavor in almost any winter squash is to roast it in the oven. Cooking the vegetable under high, dry heat allows the sugars to naturally caramelize on their own – creating a flavor that is irresistibly delicious!

While you can boil the pumpkin instead, you will not end up with the same rich and subtly sweet flavors that you will by baking it.

Slice the pumpkin in half lengthwise, stopping just before you get to the stem. Pull the halves apart with your hands. Then, trim the stem with your knife.

Deseed and Season

Take out the seeds and strings. It’s best if you use a large spoon with a relatively sharp edge and scrape along the flesh of the pumpkin as you go. This will help to release the strands so all of the seeds can be removed.

Rub 1-2 teaspoons of oil over the inside of both halves. This helps give the pumpkin flesh some moisture to caramelize while baking. Sprinkle each half with a pinch or two of salt.

Roast Pumpkin in Oven

Place pumpkin halves face-side down on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 40-60 minutes. This will largely depend on the size of the pumpkin.

Check on the doneness by inserting a knife or fork into the middle of the flesh. If it goes through easily, the pumpkin is fully cooked. You’ll also start to see the edges of the pumpkin beginning to pull away from the skin.

Remove the Flesh

Separate the flesh from the skin by scooping it out with a spoon or by peeling back the skin. Make sure you wait to use your hands until it is cool to the touch, though!

Sauté and Simmer

After you have the pumpkin prepared, it’s time to move on to making the soup!

Drizzle oil in a large pot or Dutch oven along with the chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Mix in garlic and ginger. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes.

Pour in the vegetable broth and coconut milk. Stir in sage, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring ingredients to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pot with a lid and let simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Purée the Soup

Turn off the heat and add the roasted pumpkin and maple syrup. Purée the soup until smooth and creamy. You can do this by either using an immersion blender, food processor, or a high speed blender:

• Immersion Blender – This is the best and easiest method to use. You’re able to blend a lot of liquid and it makes it super smooth. Also, you do not have to transfer hot liquids from one pot to another.
• Vitamix – The second best blending method since it can hold a large volume of liquid. Just be careful when transporting the hot liquid.
• Food Processor – The least effective and more time-consuming method since you will have to purée in batches. However, it will work if that is all you have!

Serve it Up!

While the flavor of the soup is not dependent on the presentation, it sure does go a long way. After all, we eat with our eyes first!

If you’d like your soup to look like the one you see pictured, this is what you will want to do:

• Lightly fry medium-sized fresh sage leaves in a teaspoon or two of oil over medium heat. Cook for 1 minute per side or until crisp.
  • Place sage leaves in a circular fashion on one half of each bowl.
• Sprinkle on whole roasted pumpkin seeds.
  • Coarsely chop additional seeds and sprinkle those on next.
• Add a dash of black pepper and a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep-Ahead: Roast the pumpkin and remove the flesh in advance.
• To Store: Allow it to cool to room temperature then seal in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
• To Freeze: Pumpkin soup freezes well for up to 4-6 months when kept in a freezer safe container.
• To Reheat: When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.

FAQs

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Pick a pie pumpkin. The larger decorative pumpkins for carving are not meant for cooking.
• Fresh is best. Fresh whole pumpkins are ideal for a deep, slightly sweet taste.
• Wait to caramelize. Roast the pumpkin until the edges are brown.
• Immerse yourself. Easily purée the soup until creamy with an immersion blender, that way you don’t have to transfer hot liquid.
• Make it pretty. Garnish with sage leaves, pumpkin seeds, and freshly ground pepper for an impressive presentation.

What to Serve with Pumpkin Soup

Here are a few other serving suggestions:

• Toasted baguette – Great when slathered in a little butter or olive oil before toasting in the oven and then can be used for dipping.
• Homemade croutons – Cube up some bread, toss in oil, and then bake until crispy!
• Crackers – These are great for dipping.
• Salad – A big kale salad would pair beautifully.
• Chicken – You can’t go wrong serving this healthy soup alongside some lean protein.
• Other Thanksgiving Side Dish recipes.

More Creamy Soup Recipes

Silky smooth soups are an excellent way to warm up. Try these other recipes next time:

• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
• Cream of Zucchini Soup
• Healthy Cauliflower Soup
• Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
• Creamy Beet Soup
• Healthy Potato Leek Soup
• Cream of Asparagus Soup
• Instant Pot Potato Soup
• Crab Bisque