Heavenly Butternut Bisque with French Onion Toast Topper Recipe

Creamy butternut bisque captures the essence of comfort on chilly autumn evenings.

Warm spices dance through each spoonful, inviting memories of cozy kitchen moments.

Caramelized onions transform simple French bread into a crispy, golden companion.

Nutty undertones weave through velvety pumpkin-hued liquid, promising deep satisfaction.

Delicate herbs sprinkled across the surface add unexpected brightness to this classic soup.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe beckons you to savor every nuanced bite.

Come explore a bowl that feels like a warm embrace.

Why Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper Is A Cozy Winner

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: Butternut bisque brings warmth and cozy vibes perfect for chilly evenings, combining rich squash flavors with creamy texture.
• Master Gourmet Techniques: Learn professional cooking skills like caramelizing onions, blending soups smoothly, and creating restaurant-quality French onion toast topper.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like vegetable broth for chicken broth, adjust spice levels with cayenne, or use different cheese types to match personal preferences.
• Impress Dinner Guests: Elegant presentation with French onion toast and fresh parsley creates a sophisticated meal that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it.

Ingredients For Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

Main Ingredients:

Butternut Squash: A sweet and creamy vegetable that forms the base of this rich and comforting bisque.

Chicken Broth: A flavorful liquid that helps cook and enhance the butternut squash.

Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the bisque.

• Onion, Tomato Paste: Provide depth of flavor and a savory foundation for the soup.
• Kosher Salt, Cayenne Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste profile.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the butternut squash.

French Onion Toast Topper Ingredients:

• Sourdough Bread: A tangy and sturdy bread that creates a crispy toast base.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Help toast the bread and caramelize the onions.

• Sweet Onions, Shallot: Create a complex and sweet caramelized topping.

• Gruyère Cheese: A rich, nutty cheese that melts beautifully.
• Beef Stock, Sherry, Thyme: Add depth and complexity to the onion topping.

• Fresh Parsley: Provides a fresh and bright finishing touch.

Steps To Make Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

Step 1: Create Butternut Soup Base

Melt butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add chopped onions and sprinkle with salt.

Cook while stirring until onions become soft and translucent. Turn up the heat to medium-high and mix in tomato paste, allowing it to caramelize for a couple of minutes.

Toss in butternut squash, chicken broth, additional salt, and cayenne pepper. Lower heat and let the mixture simmer until squash becomes incredibly tender.

Use an immersion blender to transform the soup into a silky smooth consistency. Stir in cream and maple syrup, then keep warm on low heat.

Step 2: Prepare Caramelized Onion Toasts

• Sweet onions
• Shallots
• Salt
• Pepper

Cover and cook until onions become tender.

Increase heat and continue cooking uncovered to achieve a golden brown color. Pour in sherry and let it simmer briefly.

Add beef stock and thyme, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce liquid and remove thyme sprigs.

Step 3: Toast and Finish Bread

Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange sourdough slices on a baking sheet and spread with softened butter.

Bake until light brown. Switch oven to broil.

Top bread with caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese. Broil until cheese melts completely.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Ladle butternut bisque into serving bowls. Crown each bowl with the French onion toast.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a vibrant finish.

Tips To Perfect Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

• Helpful Tips
• – Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version of the butternut bisque.
• – Control spiciness by adjusting cayenne pepper – start with a pinch and add more gradually.
• – Choose ripe, sweet butternut squash for maximum flavor and natural sweetness in the soup.
• – Use an immersion blender carefully to achieve a smooth, creamy texture without splattering.
• – Toast bread slightly longer for extra crunchiness if you prefer a more robust texture on the French onion toast topper.

New Ideas For Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

• Autumn Harvest Bisque: Replace butternut squash with pumpkin and add diced apples for a seasonal flavor profile. Top with crispy sage leaves and toasted pumpkin seeds.
• Spicy Coconut Fusion: Swap cream for coconut milk and add red curry paste. Garnish with cilantro and toasted coconut flakes for a Southeast Asian-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Veggie Bisque: Use roasted red peppers alongside butternut squash. Top with crumbled feta cheese and za'atar spice blend instead of French onion toast.
• Smoky Southwestern Remix: Incorporate roasted poblano peppers and smoked paprika into the bisque. Serve with cornbread croutons and a dollop of chipotle cream.

Tasty Pairings For Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

• Perfect Wine Pairing: Select a Chardonnay with medium body and subtle oak undertones that complements the creamy butternut bisque's rich texture and slightly sweet maple notes.
• Contrasting Flavor Enhancer: Serve a crisp apple cider on the side to cut through the soup's richness and provide a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of the savory French onion toast.
• Herbal Accent Companion: Prepare a light rosemary-infused olive oil drizzle to add depth and an aromatic touch to the butternut bisque, enhancing its complex flavor profile and creating an elegant finishing element.
• Textural Complement: Incorporate toasted pumpkin seeds as a garnish to introduce a delightful crunch that contrasts with the smooth bisque and adds a nutty undertone to the overall dish.

How To Store Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

• Refrigerate: Store the bisque and toast in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the toast crispy by storing it in a sealed container at room temperature.
• Freeze Bisque: Pour cooled bisque into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing toast as it will become soggy.
• Reheat Bisque: Thaw frozen bisque in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if needed to restore consistency.
• Crisp Toast: Quickly refresh toast in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crunchiness before serving with reheated bisque.

FAQs For Butternut Bisque With French Onion Toast Topper

• What ingredients make this bisque unique?

Butternut squash, tomato paste, cayenne pepper, cream, and maple syrup create a rich, complex flavor profile with sweet and slightly spicy undertones.

• How do I know when the butternut squash is tender enough?

The squash is ready when it can be easily pierced with a fork and breaks down smoothly during blending, typically after 20-25 minutes of simmering.

• Can I use a regular blender instead of an immersion blender?

Yes, carefully transfer the hot soup to a regular blender in batches, blending until smooth, but be cautious of potential hot liquid splashes.

Butternut Bisque with French Onion Toast Topper Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Warm butternut bisque dances with French onion toast, creating a luxurious comfort blend from autumn’s harvest. Creamy squash meets caramelized onion in this soul-satisfying soup you’ll crave through crisp seasonal evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 slices sourdough bread
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Fats and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 1/2 cup low-sodium beef stock
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a spacious pot, gently melt butter over medium-low heat. Incorporate chopped onions and a pinch of kosher salt, stirring consistently until onions become translucent and soft, approximately 10 minutes.
2. Elevate heat to medium-high and introduce tomato paste, allowing it to caramelize for 2 minutes while stirring continuously.
3. Add butternut squash, chicken broth, remaining salt, and cayenne pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until squash becomes exceptionally tender, roughly 20-25 minutes.
4. Utilize an immersion blender to transform the mixture into a silky-smooth consistency. Incorporate cream and maple syrup, maintaining warmth on low heat.
5. For the French onion toast, preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet, combine butter and olive oil over medium-low heat.
6. Add sweet onions, shallots, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook for 12-14 minutes until onions soften completely.
7. Increase heat to medium-high and cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes, allowing onions to develop a golden-brown color.
8. Deglaze pan with sherry, cooking for 2 minutes. Pour in beef stock and thyme, bringing to a boil, then simmer until liquid reduces, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard thyme sprigs.
9. Arrange sourdough slices on a baking sheet, spread with softened butter, and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.
10. Activate broiler. Top bread with caramelized onions and generously sprinkle Gruyère cheese. Broil until cheese melts completely, approximately 2 minutes.
11. Serve bisque in bowls, crown with French onion toasts, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

• Select butternut squash with smooth, matte skin and no soft spots for the best flavor and texture in your bisque.
• Adjust cayenne pepper according to your heat tolerance, starting with a pinch and gradually increasing for desired spiciness.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly and maintain a rich, savory base.
• Use an immersion blender carefully to prevent splattering, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency without lumps.
• Customize French onion toast by experimenting with different bread types like rye or whole grain for added nutritional value.
• For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.
• Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, sweet flavors that enhance the overall taste of the French onion toast topper.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg