Ah, fall—the season where the air turns crisp, and leaves crunch underfoot. It reminds me of cozy evenings spent with family, savoring meals that warm the soul. These easy fall dinner recipes are like a gentle hug—comforting, nostalgic, and perfect for those nights when you just want to curl up with a blanket and a good book.
Steps
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add onion, salt, and pepper. Sauté the onion until it softens, which should take about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Incorporate the butternut squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, around 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add garlic, sage, rosemary, and ginger to the pot. Stir and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Pour in 3 cups of broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the squash is tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Allow the soup to cool slightly, then blend it until smooth, working in batches if needed. Adjust the thickness by adding up to 1 cup more broth if desired.
- Season the soup to taste and serve it garnished with parsley, pepitas, and crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), for garnish
- Crusty bread, for serving
FAQ
- What are some popular fall dinner ideas?
- Some popular fall dinner ideas include creamy butternut squash pasta, vegetarian stuffed peppers, fettuccine Alfredo with cauliflower sauce, easy vegetarian chili, and avocado sweet potato tacos.
- How can I make a classic fall soup?
- A classic fall soup like butternut squash soup can be made by sautéing onions, adding squash and spices such as sage and rosemary, simmering with broth until tender, and blending until smooth.
- What are some easy fall desserts to try?
- Easy fall desserts to try include pumpkin bread, apple crumble, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and homemade brownies.
- What are some tasty fall side dishes?
- Some tasty fall side dishes include roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted delicata squash, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and focaccia bread.
- How can I create a comforting fall salad?
- A comforting fall salad can be made with ingredients like tender spinach, goat cheese, apples, cranberries, and pecans, dressed with apple cider vinegar for a tangy flavor.
Tips
- When making butternut squash soup, sauté the onion until it’s soft to enhance its sweetness and depth of flavor before adding the squash.
- To ensure a smooth texture, blend the soup in batches if needed. If the soup is too thick, gradually add more broth until you reach your desired consistency.
- For added flavor and texture, garnish your soup with parsley, pepitas, and serve it alongside crusty bread.
- Incorporating fresh herbs like sage and rosemary early in the cooking process can infuse the soup with rich, aromatic flavors.
Equipment
- Blender – Essential for blending the butternut squash soup until smooth.
- Large Pot – Necessary for cooking the soup.
- Immersion Blender – As an alternative to a traditional blender for soups.
- Chef’s Knife – Useful for chopping vegetables like butternut squash and onions.
- Cutting Board – Needed for preparing various ingredients.
- Soup Ladle – For serving the soup.
- Pepper Mill – For freshly grinding pepper, as mentioned in the soup recipe.
