Melody Johnson
Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup
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I don't know about you but I love fall! The changing of the leaves, the smell of bonfires, pumpkin, and...wait for it...SOUP!
Panera Bread's Autumn Squash Soup is one of my favorite soups to order but unfortunately Panera Bread is not so budget-friendly.
Panera also contains cream, which is a dairy and for me a big no no. So there's that. :-/
If you don't have Panera's $12+ budget to spend on a soup or simply don't want the dairy in the soup, you might take a DIY approach and try making this copycat version at home.
Copycat Panera Soup (Version #1 - Dairy Free)
2 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 capful of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons of curry powder (optional but Panera adds this)
5 cups vegetable broth (you'd need at least 1 container)
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar - Braggs / OR 2 cups of apple juice your choice
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (optional)
Or you can click here for all the ingredients to make life easier for you to buy in one place :-)
A small piece of crusty bread (yum!)
Instructions
1. Chop up garlic cloves and onion. Sautee in a pan with the olive oil.
When the garlic and onions caramelize (It looks like a yellowish color) pull it off the heat
2. Cut up in cubes the butternut squash. Boil the butternut squash and poke with a fork to see if its done. You'll know its done once your fork goes all the way through.
3. After butternut squash is done boiling, pour out excess water in sink. Place all butternut squash in the blender.
4. Add garlic, onions, pureed pumpkin, cinnamon, salt, coconut milk, pepper, ginger, apple cider vinegar,
and vegetable broth in the blender and blend it up!
5. Pour some of that soup in a pot and place a top on it (It will splatter!)
6. It boils quick-- so 5-7 mins for hot soup. Serve in your favorite bowl or cup and enjoy with that piece of
bread!
Storage
1. Write date on Gallon Size Freezer ziplock bag.
2. Pour excess soup in large Ziplock bags and place flat in Hoojo organizer for a meal later that month!
3. Anytime is a good time for butternut squash. You are saving so much money making your own batch at
home. Especially if you are on a budget.
4. Whenever I think of butternut squash soup I always think of sweater weather and leaves falling. Its one
of those cozy, feel good soups that make you want to grab your favorite blanket, snuggle up to your
favorite movie and chill.
Comment below how you may have tweaked this recipe!