What will you serve with butternut squash soup tonight? This article is crammed with brilliant suggestions to pump fresh life back into soup night with enticing side dishes.
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Soup needs a sidekick. Like salt needs pepper. When soup is on the menu, without fail you will be asked, “Soup and …?”
If you have been frantic about what to serve with butternut squash soup, stress no more. The best types of food to serve with butternut squash soup are breads, sandwiches, salads, finger foods, and meat dishes. Oh, and don’t forget the soup toppings.
Do you love thick, smooth, spicy butternut squash soup with cream cheese? Serve it on a cold day in the fall, or really any time of year when you crave a bowl of hot soup.
In this article you will find the best ideas for side dishes to serve with creamy butternut squash soup. Try a few out and see which ones your family drools over.
Bread Ideas
You expect bread to hang out with hearty soup. They are better together. With the plethora of bread choices, your butternut squash soup meal will always feel fresh.
Crusty Bread
Crusty bread has a hard, crisp outside with a soft feathery inside. You can find it in the bakery section of most grocery stores if you don't want to start from scratch.
Dip it in olive oil. Slather with butter. Spread it with homemade ricotta. No matter how you dress it up, you will be glad it is butternut squash soup’s dinner partner.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Make fluffy, delicious buttermilk biscuits with pancake mix. Only three ingredients needed for these lightly sweetened biscuits.
Or add cheddar cheese and herbs for savory biscuits. They will be a hit paired next to butternut squash soup.
Dinner Rolls
Almost nothing is more tempting than warm dinner rolls, fresh out of the oven dripping with butter and preserves. Rolls may take a little bit longer to make, but they are worth the effort.
If you buy a package of dinner rolls, my little secret is to warm them in the oven for a few minutes before serving them.
Breadsticks
Power-up your meal with breadsticks. Breadsticks are perfectly shaped to dip into soup.
Whether you make soft or crunchy breadsticks, they will be a winner at the dinner table. Make a batch and see for yourself.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is not just for pasta. Try it with your soup and you will not be disappointed. It is quick and effortless to make. Best of all, one loaf can easily feed a whole family.
Garlic bread is fantastic at mopping up soup from your bowl.
Focaccia Bread
Focaccia is a flat bread from Italy with a texture similar to pizza crust. Flavor it with rosemary, garlic, and cheese.
Or top with arugula, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. These are dozens of ways to flavor this hearty side.
Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
One of the best sides for a bowl of creamy soup is a gooey cinnamon roll. No need to start the rolls from scratch if you are short on time. Try a few simple tricks to make canned cinnamon rolls taste homemade.
This will be your new go-to side for all your favorite soup recipes.
Garlic Knots
Nothing is better than a batch of warm garlic knots fresh from the oven. Tie strips of pizza dough in a knot and brush them with a tablespoon of olive oil. Season with garlic powder, black pepper, or Parmesan cheese.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper before baking the knots until they are golden brown. You will love them with soup.
Cornbread
Cornbread is a quick bread made with corn meal. Forget the sweet. Make it spicy with jalapenos. Smear with butter for a popular side bread.
Do you have leftover dry cornbread? For great way to use it up, crumble it on top of leftover soup tomorrow for lunch.
Crackers
Crackers are always a great sidekick to soup. Dip them in your bowl or crumble them on top. Any way you eat them, you will enjoy crackers with soup.
Here are some of the best soup crackers to serve with soup.
Scones
Scones are a great idea to serve with soup. Because they are a quick bread, they do not require rising. It the heavy cream and eggs that gives scones a dense and crumbly texture.
Make sure to chill the dough before you bake it for the perfect texture. Scones and butternut squash soup make a satisfying pair.
Pull-Apart Bread (monkey bread)
Monkey bread embodies a true experience of sharing food with family or friends. It is a finger food, meant to be torn apart by hand and eaten.
Try serving apple cinnamon monkey bread with butternut squash soup. Or if you are after a savory flavor, give garlic monkey bread a try.
Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread
Soft, sweet, and garlicky, you will love Korean cream cheese garlic bread with soup. It doesn’t take a long time to make this dish with Rhodes rolls. Give it a try for dinner.
Want even more bread ideas, check out the best breads to serve with butternut squash soup. Over 30 delicious ideas.
Sandwich Ideas
How many times have you ordered a ½ soup, ½ sandwich combo at your favorite restaurant? Now serve that combination yourself with a scrumptious sandwich and butternut squash soup.
All kinds of cheese compliment butternut squash recipes, so watch out. Sandwiches with cheese, coming your way.
Baked Turkey Sliders
Entice your kids to finish their soup with a slider. Soup and sliders are a popular double act at dinner.
Cheesy baked turkey sliders are a breeze to whip up. Slather them with a sticky brown sugar mustard butter sauce and you will be in heaven.
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Make a ham, turkey, Swiss cheese sandwich. Then dip it in an egg batter and fry it like French toast. Finally, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with a dollop of jam. Yum, yum, and yum.
Your butternut squash soup meal will sparkle with the Monte Cristo sandwich.
Bruschetta
Bruschetta originated in Italy as a starter before a meal. Its simple preparation makes it easy to serve as a side with soup.
Begin with toasted bread brushed with olive oil and roasted garlic cloves. Then top with your choice of diced tomatoes, shredded basil, and caramelized onions. Lightly drizzle with balsamic vinegar (optional).
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast has exploded in popularity over the past couple of years. It is not just a breakfast thing. And it is not just a Millennial favorite.
It is simple, healthy, and delicious. Soup’s perfect partner. Quick and easy. On the table in minutes.
Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Apples taste great next to butternut squash and bacon tastes amazing next to everything. Don’t miss out on apple bacon grilled cheese sandwiches with a large soup pot.
Cook the bacon in the oven for an easy job. Then grill the sandwich on a skillet or panini press. Slice and serve.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Chicken, cheese, and marinara on a grilled hoagie bun. What could be a better side sandwich?
Half a chicken parm sandwich and a bowl of soup is the perfect soup/sandwich meal.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
An unassuming chicken salad sandwich, made with leftover cooked chicken, can be a star in any meal.
A good chicken salad sandwich can be a main dish, but here it is a dependable side.
Club Sandwich
Try a classic club sandwich with deli meat, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes. It is a tasty combo just made for a warm bowl of soup.
BLT Sandwich
Crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce sandwiched between your favorite sandwich bread. A BLT sandwich is easy to make and complements butternut squash soup every time.
Roast Beef Sandwich
A savory, cheesy roast beef sandwich is just what you need when eating a vegetarian soup. The sandwich adds the heartiness the meal lacks with a taste that will have you returning for seconds.
Pulled Pork Sliders
Turn leftover pulled pork into a mouthwatering side sandwich. Pulled pork sliders are a popular pairing for soup. Slide some pickled jalapenos inside for a fiery bite every time.
Salad Ideas
Make your butternut squash soup complete with even more veggies. A hearty salad or a medley of roasted vegetables will be delicious with flavorful soup.
Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
Brussels sprouts and kale star in this two-veggie salad. Shredded veggies, crunchy pecans, and sweet Craisins are drizzled with a creamy maple vinaigrette. Gimme seconds please.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach, sweet strawberries, and roasted pecans make a light salad. It is the perfect companion for a large pot of soup.
Baked Carrots with Brown Sugar Glaze
Sweet and spicy roasted carrots with brown sugar glaze make a perfect partner for butternut squash soup. They are easy to make and do not require very many ingredients. Don't skip the fresh carrot top/parsley garnish.
These carrots are one veggie you will not have to beg your children to eat.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Lime Dressing
Try this quinoa black bean salad recipe with fresh spinach, sauteed veggies, and zesty cumin lime dressing. Garnish with avocados, cotija cheese, and pepitas.
A salad with a little bit of protein and some healthy fats will have everyone returning for seconds.
Turkey Salad with Tart Apple and Blue Cheese
Turkey salad has a kaleidoscope of flavors to tempt your taste buds. Crisp greens and leftover turkey combined with sweet, tart, crunchy, and chewy mix-ins.
Just what you need with a cup of soup.
Roasted Vegetables
You are already on a veggie kick by serving healthy butternut squash soup. But don’t stop there. Roast some winter root vegetables for complete veggie overload.
Chop the vegetables and roast them on a baking sheet drizzled with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.
Apple Walnut Salad
Crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, fresh greens. What more could you ask for in a sweet and savory salad? You will love apple walnut salad next to a steaming bowl of butternut squash soup.
Broccoli Salad
Fresh broccoli florets, diced onion, bacon, and a creamy dressing make up this simple salad. Broccoli salad and soup are one pairing that you will be serving again and again.
Cobb Salad
Cobb salad will give you all the protein you are missing in butternut squash soup. The salad has grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, and crunchy bacon. Not to mention the leafy greens and fresh veggies.
Give a Cobb and a bowl of soup a try. You will be glad you did.
Garden Salad
Sometimes a fresh, seasonal salad is all you need to make your dinner complete. Greens, veggies, and a delicious dressing will give your meal a boost.
Caprese Salad
A Caprese salad is a layer of mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle on rich olive oil and season with salt and pepper. It will be one of the best parts of dinner.
Finger Food Ideas
Finger foods are fun. Finger foods add interest. Finger foods create community. Munch on these scrumptious finger food ideas.
Crispy Potato Skins
If you have leftover baked potatoes, give them new life by making potato skins. Potatoes and butternut squash – always a winning combo.
Crispy, cheesy potato skins are a family favorite. Dip them in your soup or a sour cream sauce.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are a healthy winter root vegetable. And they make delicious fries. Crispy, tasty, and great for soup dipping.
Quesadillas
A quesadilla is a stunning side for almost any dish. It only needs a couple of ingredients, it toasts in minutes, and it can be customized to fit picky taste buds.
My favorite quesadilla is a basic tortilla with shredded cheddar cheese. But you can also add roasted veggies for a veggie quesadilla.
Crispy Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
Need a fun finger food for your soup? This baked mac and cheese bites recipe is the perfect appetizer for kids and adults. They are easy to freeze and quick to reheat.
Falafel
Instead of roasting chickpeas, try making falafel instead. Falafel is made from ground, uncooked chickpeas processed to a fine crumble.
It is another great protein side for butternut squash soup.
Fritters
Fritters are battered and fried vegetables, fruits, small pieces of cooked meat, or balls of cooked grain. Try a batch with your soup tonight.
Seasoned Popcorn
I admit, popcorn is my go-to soup side when I am short on time. Its quick, easy prep time is a good reason to give it a try.
Season it with delicious popcorn seasonings for a gourmet experience.
Cheese Puffs
Baked cheese puffs are a bread-like dish you will love serving with soup. Round balls of sharp, full-flavored cheese are heavenly. You will be munching on them all night.
Best Meat Side Dishes for Butternut Squash Soup
Sometimes you need a little meat to make a butternut squash soup meal more filling. Especially if you are feeding active teenage boys.
Try a few of these meat side dish ideas to discover which ones are the most satisfying as a side to soup.
Stovetop Grilled Chicken Breast
Cook chicken breast on the stove and get tender, juicy chicken. Follow my cooking steps to get moist flavorful chicken every time. Slice it and eat it with your cup of butternut squash soup.
Coconut Shrimp
Shrimp are a sizzling finger-food that are phenomenal paired with butternut squash soup. They are quick to whip up while the soup is cooking.
Pork Tenderloin
Pork, apple, butternut squash. They are delicious fall comfort foods that complement each other. When you serve butternut squash soup, try delicate pork tenderloin as a side dish.
Salmon
We never order salmon from a restaurant anymore because I’m always disappointed it doesn’t taste as good as the salmon my husband grills at home.
I recommend salmon as a light meat to serve with butternut squash soup. I think it tastes best when it is grilled outside.
Meatballs
Make your go-to side dish a pan of meatballs. They are perfect for an easy butternut squash soup recipe. You get your veggies in the soup and your hearty protein in the side.
Sushi
Make an easy batch of sushi when you make butternut squash soup. It is a pairing you may not have considered. But once you serve them together, you will be hooked.
Charcuterie Board
Soup for dinner? Try serving a charcuterie board along side it. It's a little different, but you will like it.
Throw together some cured meat, crunchy crackers, and soft cheese for an unforgettable soup pairing.
And there you have it. A comprehensive list to consult when wondering what to serve with butternut squash soup. Comment below to let me know your favorite soup side.
Hungry for More Soup?
For other healthy soup recipes, try these flavorful soups.
- Pressure cooker split pea soup with ham bone: Full-flavored split pea soup with ham bone is hearty, nutritious, and easy to whip up in a pressure cooker. The pressure cooker releases the flavor and nutrition from the ham bone to create a crave-worthy soup to satisfy your appetite.
- Vegetable soup with ground beef: Combine tender vegetables and savory ground beef in a flavorful broth to get a mouthwatering vegetable soup with ground beef, packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein.
- Black Bean Soup: Mouthwatering vegan black bean soup made with roasted polbanos and tomatillos, corn, red onions, carrots, celery, and cilantro.
- Pumpkin soup: Blend fresh herbs and spices with pumpkin puree, coconut cream, ginger, and apples in this seasonal soup. Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Turkey soup: Use leftover turkey, along with potatoes, onions, leeks, celery, and herbs for a true comfort food experience. Don’t have turkey? Substitute chicken instead.
- Split pea soup: Hearty, healthy crock pot split pea soup with ham, carrots, onions, celery, and dried herbs, partially pureed for an easy dinner soup recipe.
- Taco soup with ground beef: Quick, easy crock pot soup featuring ground beef, 3 kinds of chiles, 2 kinds of beans, and fresh herbs and spices.
More Side Dish Ideas
- Bean burrito side dishes (in addition to rice).
- Side dishes for chicken chili. A variety of breads, sandwiches, salads, and finger foods to enliven your chili meal.
- Best bread for soup. Get tons of ideas for side dishes to serve with any kind of soup. You can also check out what to serve with pumpkin soup.
- Incredible sides for turkey soup.
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