Kabocha Squash Soup

Kabocha squash soup is a velvety smooth, weekday-friendly dish that is tasty and easy to make with a few simple ingredients.

We use our quick bake-and-blend technique that results in a flavorful, nutritious, and creamy soup that is very satisfying to eat.

Kabocha squash

One of our favorite winter squashes, kabocha's dense texture and nutty flavor is perfect for making soup. Kabocha is sometimes called chestnut pumpkin or Japanese squash.

You can substitute other winter squashes such as pumpkin, butternut squash, delicata squash, and acorn squash. You can also use sweet potatoes.

Garlic

We use whole garlic cloves that we crush and roast with the squash. First, roast the garlic with the peel so that it doesn't burn, then remove the peel before blending it.

Onion

White or yellow onions are best, but you can also use shallots.

Fresh herbs

We use fresh sage and rosemary to make the soup earthy and aromatic. They taste delicious in kabocha squash soup.

You can substitute thyme for rosemary.

Vegetable broth

We blend the roasted veggies with vegetable broth to turn them into soup. You can use reduced sodium vegetable stock if you like.

Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil helps us roast the squash evenly. We prefer extra virgin because it tastes better and contains more antioxidants than regular olive oil.

Salt and pepper

Sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Optional ingredients

To garnish the soup, you can use pistachio nuts, pepitas or pumpkin seeds, chopped parsley, homemade croutons, roasted chickpeas, or a slice of crusty bread or rosemary focaccia.

If you want to make kabocha squash soup with coconut milk, add a teaspoon of ground cumin, a teaspoon of turmeric powder, about an inch of grated fresh ginger, and a can of coconut milk before you blend the veggies.

If you do so, don't add rosemary and sage when roasting the squash.

Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Cut the kabocha squash in half, scoop out the seeds with a spoon, then lay it flat on a cutting board with the cut side down.

With a sharp knife, cut the peel away, trying not to cut out too much of the flesh.

Chop the squash into chunks of about the same size, then add it to the baking sheet.

Add sage leaves, rosemary needles, chopped onion, and crushed garlic with the peel still on, and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Toss with your hands, then arrange the veggies on a single layer without overlapping and bake for 30 minutes, or until the squash is fork tender.

Discard the garlic peel, transfer the veggies to a pot or dutch oven and add vegetable broth.

Blend with an immersion blender until the soup is smooth and creamy. Adjust the texture and consistency of the soup by adding more broth based on your preferences.

Note: you can use a regular blender if you don't have an immersion blender.

Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt if necessary. Then if you want the soup hot, simmer it on medium heat for a few minutes before serving it in a bowl with your favorite topping.

Tip: stir while the soup warms up to prevent soup bubbles making your kitchen dirty. The soup doesn't require to boil.

Serve as an appetizer: kabocha squash soup makes a light, guest-friendly, and naturally vegan appetizer when served with toasted pistachios or seeds.

Or take your pick from these favorite toppings and sides that upgrade the soup to a restaurant-worthy starter:

• Homemade croutons: a fuss-free recipe ready in just 15 minutes
• Air fryer croutons: made with minimal effort in an air fryer
• Roasted chickpeas: a fun and crispy topping for soups and salads
• Air fryer chickpeas: the crispiest chickpeas you'll ever have
• Crostini: a perfect side for soups to sop of leftovers
• Focaccia bread with rosemary: our no-knead recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser

Serve as a side dish: part of a veggie-packed and easy dinner. Pair it with pasta, a big salad, or your choice of protein:

• Aglio e olio: a 15-minute pasta with loads of Italian flavor
• Shaved brussels sprouts salad with cranberries and walnuts
• Mushroom pasta: a fall-friendly pasta with tomatoes and chewy mushrooms
• Lentil bolognese with plant-based protein and a tomato-rich sauce

Kabocha squash soup with coconut milk

The creamy, milky, and nutty flavor of coconut milk pairs perfectly with kabocha squash. You'll get an Asian-tasting soup, which we love, with an even more velvety texture thanks to the fats in the coconut milk.

To make it:

• Roast the kabocha, onion, and garlic in the oven for 30 minutes, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Just like our main recipe, but without rosemary and sage.
• When the kabocha is ready, add it to a pot with 1 cup of vegetable broth, 1 can of coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and about 1 inch of peeled and grated fresh ginger.
• Blend until smooth, then warm up for a few minutes and serve.

Storage

Keep kabocha squash soup leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then, reheat in the microwave or a pot with a dash of water.

This recipe is suitable for freezing. Let cool down completely, then transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw the soup in the microwave with the thawing function or the refrigerator over a few hours.

Vegetable soups are an easy way to increase your (and your family's) veggie intake. Take a look at our favorite veggie soups with plenty of delicious topping inspiration:

• Cauliflower soup with a cheesy flavor and irresistible texture
• Eggplant soup only 30 minutes cooking and packed with eggplant and tomatoes
• Butternut squash soup - a bake-and-blend soup that requires only 5 minutes of preparation
• Zucchini soup - a fresh green summer soup that pairs perfectly with croutons
• Sweet potato soup with creamy, earthy, and sweet flavor notes
• Broccoli soup - the perfect way to use broccoli leftovers
• Lentil soup with lentils, kale, and authentic Italian flavor
• Tuscan bean soup is packed with protein and fiber, a perfect bowl of comfort food

If you're a fan of winter squash, take a peek at our healthy and easy plant-based favorites:

• Roasted kabocha squash - ready in 25 minutes and no peeling required
• Butternut squash ravioli with homemade pasta dough and a velvety ricotta filling
• Creamy butternut squash risotto - try this Italian recipe for a cheesy and creamy risotto
• Pasta with kabocha squash with an indulgent and Sunday-dinner-friendly pasta sauce

For many more dinner ideas, check out our mains category page.