Steam curls up from the valve and your stomach starts talking back.
You spot the rich orange buttercup squash, roasted till tender and smelling dang good, waiting for a quick swirl in the pot. The jar of roasted red peppers adds a sweet smoky kiss that just pulls the whole thing right together. It’s kinda like comfort in a bowl, y’all.
The pressure cooker’s sealing ring does its job perfect, locking in all that deep flavor while the squash softens fast. You catch the faint aroma of garlic and paprika slowly mingling, making your kitchen feel like a warm hug on a cold day. This soup with its smooth texture and heartwarming taste makes cooking feel real good.
The Truth About Fast Tender Results
- The buttercup squash gets roasted ahead to bring out that sweet, toasted flavor.
- Once in the pressure cooker, it softens even more with a tender pull that’s so satisfying.
- The quick release of pressure means you’re not waiting around long to eat.
- Using smoked paprika gives the soup a deep, smoky note without needing a long simmer.
- The natural release lets flavors settle just right if you prefer a richer blend.
- Sealing ring upkeep is key to keeping the pressure steady till everything’s ready.
What Goes Into the Pot Today
- 1 (3 pound) buttercup squash, cut and seeds out, roasted till tender
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, split between roasting and sautéing
- 6 cloves garlic, some sautéed early, others fresh for the vinegar mix
- 1 medium onion, diced to sweat till sweet and translucent
- 1 ¼ teaspoons fine sea salt to balance it all
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika for that smoky pop of flavor
- 1 jar (12-16 ounces) roasted red peppers, drained and ready to blend
- 3 to 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, more or less for your soup’s thickness
Your Complete Cooking Timeline
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep it tidy.
- Cut your buttercup squash side down on the sheet. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over it. Pop it into the oven and roast about 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s tender and you can pierce it with a fork real easy.
- While the squash is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a big pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes till it’s translucent and smelling sweet.
- Add the garlic cloves, but save 2 fresh ones for later. Stir it around for a minute till fragrant. Then sprinkle in smoked paprika and sea salt.
- Mix in the roasted red peppers and stir so everything’s combined. Take the pot off the heat and set aside.
- Once your squash is cool enough to touch, scoop the flesh out and add it to the pot with the pepper mixture.
- Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and bring it all to a simmer on medium. Let it bubble gently for 10 minutes to marry the flavors. Add more broth if you want it thinner.
- While the soup simmers, mince the 2 reserved garlic cloves finely and mix them with apple cider vinegar. Set that aside.
- Remove the pot from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup till smooth. Alternatively, you can blend it batch by batch in a regular blender.
- Stir in your garlic vinegar mix, tweak the salt to taste, and warm it a bit more if it’s cooled down too much.
- Dish it out hot. Top with toasted pepita seeds if you want a nice crunch on your cozy soup.
Smart Shortcuts for Busy Days
- You can roast your squash the night before and keep it in the fridge, so when it’s soup time all you gotta do is blend and warm it up.
- Grab pre-diced onion from the store to shave minutes off your prep work.
- Use store bought roasted peppers from a trusted jar to skip the roasting and peeling hassle.
The Flavor Experience Waiting for You
You sense the smooth, velvety texture when you sip that first spoonful. It wraps your tongue in warm roasted squash notes mingled with sweet red peppers.
The smoked paprika gives it a gentle smoky background, not overpowering but just enough to make it cozy and interesting.
You notice little bursts of garlic tang cut through the sweetness, thanks to that fresh garlic vinegar mix stirred in last.
Crunchy toasted pepita seeds on top add a little fun texture that snaps against the silky soup, making each bite kinda dang impressive.
Your Leftover Strategy Guide
- Cool your soup before storing to keep that fresh flavor locked.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s good up to 3-4 days, perfect for quick reheats during the week.
- Freeze portions in small containers for easy grab-and-go meals down the line. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before warming.
- If reheating, do it gentle and slow in a pot to keep that nice tender texture, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly.
Everything Else You Wondered About
- Can I make this soup vegan? Yep, just swap chicken broth for veggie broth and you’re good to go!
- What if I don’t have smoked paprika? Regular paprika or a pinch of chipotle powder can work too, adding a little different but still nice flavor.
- How do I do the quick release safely? Always use a wooden spoon or tongs to flick the valve open carefully so steam doesn’t burn you.
- Why is the sealing ring so important? It keeps the pressure right where it needs to be for that tender pull and even cooking; keep it clean and in good shape.
- Can I use a different squash? Sure, but buttercup gives that perfect sweet-nutty taste and texture that works best here.
- What’s natural release good for? It’s great if you wanna let flavors settle in deeper and avoid any splatters from quick release. Just takes a bit more patience.
For more pressure cooker recipes that bring out deep flavors fast, check out our cottage cheese queso dip with Raisins and Dates, tuna steak recipes with Ground Beef, or tortilla roll ups with Creamy Alfredo Sauce for great ideas that save time without skimping on taste.
Easy Roasted Red Pepper & Buttercup Squash Soup
This creamy buttercup squash soup blends smoky roasted red peppers, garlic and paprika for a warming, easy-to-make dish.
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan large
- 1 Baking sheet lined with parchment
- 1 Blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 buttercup squash 3-pound, halved or quartered, seeds removed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 6 cloves garlic divided
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 ¼ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 jar roasted red peppers 12-16 ounces, drained
- 3 to 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- toasted pepita seeds for garnish
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Rub the squash and 2-3 garlic cloves with some olive oil, place garlic in squash centers, and place squash cut side down on sheet. Roast for 35–40 minutes, until tender.
- Let squash cool, then scoop the flesh out and discard skin.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and ¼ teaspoon salt, sauté for 7–8 minutes until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and smoked paprika. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Add roasted red peppers, 3 ½ cups chicken stock, and the roasted squash. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in apple cider vinegar.
- Blend the soup using a blender or immersion blender until smooth.
- Adjust thickness by adding more broth if desired. Season to taste with more salt if needed.
- Reheat gently if needed before serving.
- Serve hot, garnished with toasted pepita seeds.
Notes
Soup keeps for 3–4 days in the fridge or can be frozen for longer storage. Reheat gently to preserve texture. Garnish ideas: toasted pepitas, sourdough crumbs, or fresh herbs.