This hearty and comforting pumpkin soup recipe is a classic autumn delight. It is made with fresh, sweet pumpkin, aromatic onion and carrots, and crispy bacon. It's a concoction that delivers a rich, creamy texture and a beautiful blend of savory and sweet flavors. Infused with a hint of thyme and garlic, this soup is an elegant, yet simple dish that will surely impress your guests.
Most of the ingredients for this pumpkin soup recipe are commonly found in any household. However, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket for the sugar pie pumpkin which is a sweet variety, perfect for a savory soup. Be sure to also pick up some thick cut bacon for that extra crunch and flavor boost.
Pumpkin Soup with Bacon Ingredients
Sugar pie pumpkin: A smaller, sweeter variety of pumpkin, perfect for savory soup recipes.
Bacon: Thick cut bacon is preferred for this recipe to add a nice crunch and salty balance.
Onion: Adds a layer of flavor to the soup, enhancing the sweetness of the pumpkin.
Carrots: Adds some natural sweetness and color to the soup.
Garlic: A flavor enhancer, adding a bit of zing to the soup.
Dried thyme: Adds a subtle, earthy flavor that complements the pumpkin well.
Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the flavors.
Chicken broth: The base of the soup, adding depth of flavor.
Heavy cream: Gives the soup a creamy, luxurious texture.
Pumpkin seeds: Adds a crunchy texture to the soup as well as a nice visual appeal.
Parsley: A garnish that adds a pop of color and a fresh flavor.
One reader, April Reedy says:
The pumpkin soup with bacon recipe is a game-changer! The combination of sweet pumpkin and savory bacon creates a perfect balance of flavors. The creamy texture and the crunch of the bacon make it a delightful treat. It's a must-try for anyone who loves comfort food with a twist.
Essential Techniques for Making Pumpkin Soup With Bacon
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees f.: This step is essential to ensure that the oven reaches the correct temperature for roasting the pumpkin.
Cut the stem end off the pumpkin: This is done to prepare the pumpkin for cutting in half and removing the seeds.
Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise, then scoop out all the seeds: This prepares the pumpkin for roasting and removes the seeds, which are not used in this recipe.
Place the pumpkin halves, cut side down, on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray: This ensures that the pumpkin roasts evenly and does not stick to the pan.
Roast the pumpkin for 35 to 40 minutes or until very soft: Roasting the pumpkin brings out its natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the soup.
Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat, for 5 to 6 minutes until crispy and browned: This step renders the bacon fat and crisps the bacon, adding a smoky flavor to the soup.
Remove the bacon from the pot, then reserve for later use: The bacon will be used as a garnish for the finished soup.
Drain most of the grease from the pot, leaving 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot: This helps control the amount of fat in the soup while still retaining the flavor from the bacon.
Add the onion and carrots, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the onions have softened: This builds the flavor base for the soup, known as the mirepoix.
Add the garlic and thyme, then add the salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 30 seconds: Adding the garlic and thyme at this stage infuses the soup with aromatic flavors.
Remove the pumpkin from the oven: This step is necessary to continue with the preparation of the soup.
Scoop out the flesh, then add it to the pot: The roasted pumpkin flesh is the main ingredient for the soup.
Pour the chicken broth into the pot, then bring to a simmer: The chicken broth adds depth and savory flavor to the soup base.
Let the soup simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Stir in the heavy cream: Simmering the soup allows the flavors to meld, and adding heavy cream gives the soup a rich and creamy texture.
Use an immersion blender or a traditional blender to puree the soup until smooth: This step creates a smooth and velvety texture for the soup.
Top the soup with reserved bacon, pumpkin seeds, and parsley: Garnishing the soup with these ingredients adds texture, flavor, and visual appeal.
Serve warm, and enjoy!: This final step is to ensure the soup is served at the right temperature and enjoyed by all.
How To Make Pumpkin Soup with Bacon
This tasteful pumpkin soup with bacon makes the perfect comfort food to sip on! It’s loaded with crunchy bacon, pumpkin seeds, and more for the best soup.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3lbssugar pie pumpkin
- 6bacon slices,diced
- ½cuponion,chopped
- 2carrots,peeled, chopped
- 1tspgarlic,minced
- ¼tspdried thyme
- salt and pepper,to taste
- 4cupschicken broth
- ¾cupheavy cream
- ¼cuppumpkin seeds
- 2tbspparsley,chopped
- cooking spray
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
-
Cut the stem end off the pumpkin.
-
Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise, then scoop out all the seeds.
-
Place the pumpkin halves, cut side down, on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray.
-
Roast the pumpkin for 35 to 40 minutes or until very soft.
-
Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat, for 5 to 6 minutes until crispy and browned.
-
Remove the bacon from the pot, then reserve for later use.
-
Drain most of the grease from the pot, leaving 1 tablespoon of grease in the pot.
-
Add the onion and carrots, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the onions have softened.
-
Add the garlic and thyme, then add the salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 30 seconds.
-
Scoop out the flesh, then add it to the pot.
-
Pour the chicken broth into the pot, then bring to a simmer.
-
Let the soup simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Stir in the heavy cream.
-
Use an immersion blender or a traditional blender to puree the soup until smooth. Add more salt and pepper, if needed.
-
Top the soup with reserved bacon, pumpkin seeds, and parsley.
-
Serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 441.17kcal
- Fat: 32.63g
- Saturated Fat: 12.17g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13.38g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.27g
- Carbohydrates: 27.92g
- Fiber: 2.69g
- Sugar: 11.54g
- Protein: 12.77g
- Cholesterol: 64.70mg
- Sodium: 1149.80mg
- Calcium: 95.74mg
- Potassium: 1175.62mg
- Iron: 3.13mg
- Vitamin A: 1268.86µg
- Vitamin C: 25.05mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Pumpkin Soup With Bacon
When roasting the pumpkin, ensure to check its softness by piercing it with a fork. If the fork goes in easily, it means the pumpkin is well roasted and ready to be used in the soup. This ensures that the pumpkin will blend smoothly and give your soup a creamy texture. Also, when cooking the bacon, try not to overcook it as it might become too crispy and lose its flavor. The ideal texture is crispy yet slightly chewy. This will enhance the overall taste of your pumpkin soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and measure all the ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Use canned pumpkin: Opt for canned pumpkin puree instead of roasting and pureeing fresh pumpkin for a quicker preparation.
Bacon bits: Substitute pre-cooked bacon bits for frying bacon slices to save time and reduce prep work.
Quick garnish: Use store-bought pumpkin seeds and pre-chopped parsley for a convenient and time-saving garnish.
Blender shortcut: Instead of using an immersion blender, a high-speed blender can quickly puree the soup to a smooth consistency.
Substitute Ingredients For Pumpkin Soup with Bacon Recipe
sugar pie pumpkin - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweet and nutty flavor to pumpkin, making it a great substitute for pumpkin in soups.
bacon - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta is an Italian bacon that has a similar smoky and salty flavor, making it a suitable substitute for bacon in recipes.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to onions, making them a great substitute in recipes where a more delicate onion flavor is desired.
carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can add a similar earthy sweetness and texture to the soup as carrots, making them a suitable substitute.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic, providing a similar flavor without the need for mincing or chopping.
dried thyme - Substitute with dried sage: Dried sage can be used as a substitute for thyme, providing a slightly different but complementary herb flavor to the soup.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for chicken broth, providing a flavorful base for the soup while keeping it vegetarian-friendly.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free substitute for heavy cream, adding a rich and creamy texture to the soup.
pumpkin seeds - Substitute with sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds can be used as a substitute for pumpkin seeds, providing a similar nutty flavor and crunchy texture as a garnish for the soup.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro can be used as a substitute for parsley, providing a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the soup.
How to Beautifully Present This Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Elevate the plating: As culinary professionals with 3 Michelin stars, presentation is key. Ensure the soup is elegantly and artistically plated, using edible flowers or microgreens to add a pop of color and sophistication to the dish.
Incorporate texture: Add a textural element to the dish by sprinkling crispy bacon bits on top of the soup. This will not only enhance the flavor but also provide a delightful crunch in every spoonful.
Utilize custom serving vessels: Consider serving the pumpkin soup in hollowed-out mini pumpkins or artisanal ceramic bowls to create a visually stunning presentation that showcases your attention to detail.
Garnish with precision: Use a steady hand to delicately drizzle a swirl of reduced balsamic glaze on the surface of the soup, adding a touch of elegance and depth of flavor to the dish.
Attention to detail: Ensure the rim of the serving vessel is meticulously wiped clean to maintain a pristine presentation, reflecting the high standards of a 3 Michelin-star establishment.
Accompany with artisanal bread: Serve the pumpkin soup alongside freshly baked sourdough bread or pumpkin seed rolls to complement the flavors and provide a delightful contrast in textures.
Personalized finishing touches: Consider adding a personalized touch to each serving, such as a handcrafted soup cracker or a drizzle of truffle oil, to showcase the chef's individuality and creativity.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Pumpkin Soup With Bacon
- Oven: An appliance used for baking, roasting, and heating food.
- Sheet pan: A flat, rectangular metal pan used for baking and roasting in the oven.
- Large pot: A deep cooking vessel used for boiling, stewing, and simmering ingredients.
- Immersion blender: A handheld kitchen tool used for blending and pureeing ingredients directly in the pot or container.
- Traditional blender: An electric kitchen appliance with rotating blades used for blending, pureeing, and emulsifying ingredients.
- Cooking spray: A non-stick cooking spray used to coat pans and prevent food from sticking.
Storing and Freezing Instructions for Pumpkin Soup With Bacon
- Let the pumpkin soup cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag.
- If using a container, leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To freeze the soup, place the container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When ready to enjoy the frozen soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the thawed soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a little chicken broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Garnish the reheated soup with crispy bacon, pumpkin seeds, and fresh parsley before serving.
How To Reheat Leftover Pumpkin Soup With Bacon
- Reheat the pumpkin soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. This method ensures even heating and prevents the soup from scorching or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- If the soup has thickened during storage, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out while reheating. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- For a quick and easy reheating option, transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it's heated through.
- To add a fresh twist to your leftover soup, consider topping it with crispy bacon bits, toasted pumpkin seeds, or a dollop of sour cream before serving.
- If you have a large quantity of leftover soup, consider reheating only the portion you plan to consume and storing the rest in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and flavor.
- For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk after reheating the soup. This will add richness and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- To enhance the smoky flavor of the bacon, consider crisping up a few extra slices in a skillet and crumbling them over the reheated soup as a garnish.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, reserve some of the cooked pumpkin and vegetables before blending the soup, and add them back in after reheating for a heartier meal.
Interesting Trivia About Pumpkin Soup With Bacon
Pumpkin soup with bacon is a comforting and nutritious dish that is perfect for the fall season. It's a great source of vitamin A and fiber, making it a healthy choice for a cozy meal.
Is Making Pumpkin Soup With Bacon Cost-Effective?
This pumpkin soup with bacon recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Pumpkins are affordable and readily available, and the addition of bacon provides a rich flavor without breaking the bank. The overall verdict for this recipe would be an 8. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15, making it a budget-friendly and satisfying meal option.
Is Pumpkin Soup With Bacon Healthy or Unhealthy?
This pumpkin soup recipe has both healthy and unhealthy elements. Let's break it down:
Healthy aspects:
- Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber
- Carrots provide additional vitamins and minerals
- Chicken broth is a good source of protein and can be low in fat
- Pumpkin seeds are a great source of healthy fats, magnesium, and zinc
- Parsley adds a fresh, nutrient-dense garnish
Unhealthy aspects:
- Bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium
- Heavy cream adds significant amounts of saturated fat and calories
- Depending on the amount of salt added, the soup could be high in sodium
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the bacon with a leaner protein source, such as turkey bacon or grilled chicken breast
- Use a low-fat milk or coconut milk instead of heavy cream to reduce the saturated fat content
- Reduce the amount of added salt and rely on the natural flavors of the ingredients
- Increase the amount of vegetables, such as adding celery or red bell peppers, to boost the nutrient content
- Use a low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt intake
- Serve the soup with a side salad or whole-grain bread to make it a more balanced meal
By making these adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious and comforting pumpkin soup while maintaining a healthier diet.
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Pumpkin Soup Recipe
The pumpkin soup with bacon recipe is a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors. The roasted pumpkin adds a rich, earthy taste, while the crispy bacon provides a satisfying crunch. The addition of thyme and garlic enhances the depth of flavor, and the creamy texture from the heavy cream makes this soup luxurious. The garnish of pumpkin seeds and parsley adds a lovely visual and textural contrast. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful choice for a comforting and delicious fall meal.
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Why trust this Pumpkin Soup with Bacon Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of sugar pie pumpkin and bacon, creating a rich and savory flavor profile. The use of onion, carrots, and garlic adds depth and complexity to the soup. The inclusion of pumpkin seeds and parsley as garnish provides a satisfying crunch and fresh herbal notes. With the addition of chicken broth and heavy cream, this recipe promises a velvety texture and comforting warmth. Trust in the balance of flavors and the expertise behind this recipe for a truly memorable dining experience.
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