Step 1

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add carrot, celery and onion.

Step 3

Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in butternut squash, thyme, chicken broth, salt and pepper.

Step 5

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Use an immersion blender to puree soup. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and carefully puree in batches in an upright blender.

Step 7

Check out more delicious soup recipes here! __________________________ Three Twists Apple, Gorgonzola and Almond Butternut Soup Stir 1 cup unsweetened applesauce into the puréed soup. Garnish each serving with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, toasted almonds, a few slices of thinly sliced apple and a small sprig of fresh thyme. Thai-style Butternut Soup Stir a tablespoon of red curry paste and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger into carrot, celery and onion mixture. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk with broth. Purée soup and garnish each serving with toasted coconut flakes and chopped fresh cilantro. Southwestern-style Butternut Soup Add a tablespoon chopped chipotles in adobo sauce to carrot, celery and onion mixture. Garnish soup with crumbled queso fresco, toasted pumpkin seeds and chopped fresh cilantro.