Sweet Potato Casserole Soup: A Cozy, Comforting Twist on a Classic Dish
As the weather cools down and the holiday season draws near, there's nothing quite like the aroma of a warm, comforting soup to make your home feel cozy and inviting. One dish that beautifully combines the warmth and heartiness of fall flavors is Sweet Potato Casserole Soup. Imagine all the comforting elements of a traditional sweet potato casserole—roasted sweet potatoes, creamy textures, and just the right amount of sweetness—transformed into a velvety, rich soup that will warm you up from the inside out.
This Sweet Potato Casserole Soup is perfect for chilly nights, holiday gatherings, or as a meal prep option for the week. Whether you're looking for a dish to serve alongside your holiday dinner or a cozy bowl for a weeknight treat, this soup is sure to become a new favorite.
Let’s dive into this unique, flavorful recipe!
Sweet Potato Casserole Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
2 cups milk (or non-dairy milk of your choice, such as coconut or almond milk)
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional, for garnish)
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, for garnish)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
Instructions:
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
To start, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the peeled and diced sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat the sweet potatoes evenly.
Roast the sweet potatoes for about 25-30 minutes, or until they’re soft and slightly caramelized. You want them tender enough to mash easily, but with a little bit of color and flavor from the roasting process.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add a little olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Then, add the garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 3: Blend the Soup Base
Once the sweet potatoes are roasted, remove them from the oven and add them to the pot with the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let the soup cook for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the sweet potatoes to break down further.
Now comes the fun part: blending. Using an immersion blender (or carefully transferring the mixture to a blender in batches), blend the soup until it’s completely smooth and creamy. If you want a slightly thicker texture, feel free to blend it less—leave a few small chunks for a bit more texture.
Step 4: Add Creaminess and Spice
After blending, return the soup to a simmer over low heat. Stir in the milk and heavy cream (if using), and add the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Stir everything together and taste the soup. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.
For a slightly sweeter flavor (to mimic the sweetness of traditional sweet potato casserole), you can stir in a tablespoon of maple syrup. This adds a lovely, natural sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Once your soup is fully blended and the flavors are perfectly balanced, it’s time to serve! Ladle the soup into bowls and top with mini marshmallows and chopped pecans for a sweet and crunchy finish. The marshmallows will melt slightly into the soup, creating a wonderful contrast with the creamy base, while the pecans add a nice crunch and a touch of nuttiness.
If you want to take it up a notch, you can even give the marshmallows a quick toast under the broiler for a minute or two to get them golden and gooey, just like the top of a traditional sweet potato casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Casserole Soup:
1. Comforting and Flavorful
This soup has all the best elements of sweet potato casserole—the sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, the richness of cream, and a dash of warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a bowl of pure comfort that will make you feel cozy and content on the coldest of days.
2. Easy to Make
While this soup may sound like an indulgent treat, it’s surprisingly simple to make! The hardest part is roasting the sweet potatoes, and everything else comes together quickly. With just a few basic ingredients and a couple of steps, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal in under an hour.
3. Perfect for Meal Prep
Sweet Potato Casserole Soup is a great make-ahead dish. It stores well in the fridge for up to 4-5 days and can even be frozen for up to 3 months. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have a comforting meal ready whenever you need it.
4. Customizable Garnishes
The toppings are what really make this soup fun. You can stick to the classic mini marshmallows and pecans, or get creative with additional garnishes like a dollop of sour cream, crumbled bacon, or a drizzle of honey. The sky’s the limit when it comes to personalizing this dish.
Final Thoughts:
This Sweet Potato Casserole Soup takes everything you love about the classic holiday side dish and transforms it into a creamy, delicious soup that’s perfect for colder weather. The combination of roasted sweet potatoes, warm spices, and creamy goodness is nothing short of comforting. Whether you’re enjoying it as a main course, a side dish, or serving it up for guests, it’s sure to be a hit.
So, the next time you're craving something cozy and indulgent, give this soup a try. It’s like a bowl of sweet potato casserole, but in a soup form—what could be better?
Pin this recipe for later or share it with friends who are in need of a cozy fall or winter meal! Happy cooking!
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