Butternut & Red Lentil Soup (in a Soup Maker)

This butternut squash and red lentil soup is a tasty, throw-it-all-in soup maker recipe that’s perfect for cooler days or when you want something filling but fuss-free. The red lentils help to naturally thicken the soup and add some extra protein, while the coconut milk makes it lovely and creamy without needing any dairy.

You can keep this as simple as you like by using pre-prepared or frozen butternut squash, or take it up a notch by roasting the squash first for a deeper, sweeter flavour.

What You Need

For exact instructions and to print out please head to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

For this soup you’ll need:

• Butternut squash – fresh, frozen or roasted all work well.
• Red split lentils – they cook quickly and help to thicken the soup, there is no need to soak them beforehand, just rinse them under cold water.
• Onion and garlic
• Ground cumin, cinnamon and ginger – gentle warming spices that pair really well with squash.
• Coconut milk – for a rich, creamy texture.
• Vegetable stock – to top everything up to the MAX line.
• Salt and pepper – to season at the end.

Using Pre-Prepared, Frozen or Roasted Butternut Squash

If you don’t fancy peeling and chopping a whole butternut squash, there are a few shortcuts you can use and they all work well in the soup maker.

Pre-prepared butternut squash
Ready-chopped fresh squash from the supermarket is ideal when you’re short on time. Just tip it straight into the soup maker jug with the other ingredients and carry on with the recipe as normal.

Frozen butternut squash
Frozen cubes are just as convenient. You can add them to the jug straight from the freezer – no need to defrost first. The smooth soup setting will cook them through until they’re soft enough to blend. If you find the soup slightly thinner when using frozen squash, you can reduce the stock very slightly, or add a spoonful or two of extra lentils.

Roasted butternut squash
If you’ve got a bit more time and want more flavour, roasting the squash first is a lovely option. Toss the cubes in a little oil and a pinch of salt, then roast them in the oven until they’re soft and starting to caramelise around the edges. Once roasted, add them to the soup maker with the rest of the ingredients. Roasted squash is a bit drier, so the finished soup may be slightly thicker, you can easily loosen it with a splash of stock or water at the end.

How To Make It

Start by adding the chopped onion, garlic, spices, butternut squash and rinsed red lentils to the soup maker jug.

Pour in the coconut milk, then top up with vegetable stock to the MAX line. You don’t need to be exact to the millilitre here, just make sure you don’t go over the line in your particular machine.

Season with a little salt and pepper, then pop the lid on and select the smooth soup setting. From this point, the soup maker will cook and blend everything until it’s smooth.

When the programme has finished, take the lid off carefully and give the soup a stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed. If the soup is thicker than you like, stir through a splash of extra stock or water until you’re happy with the consistency.

Storing and Freezing

Once the soup has cooled down, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It will thicken slightly as it sits, so you might want to add a splash of water or stock when reheating.

It also freezes well. Portion the soup into freezer-safe tubs, label them, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave, loosening with a little extra liquid if needed.

More Soup Maker Recipes

I hope you enjoy this butternut and split red lentil soup maker recipe. If you are looking for more recipes for your soup maker with butternut squash or split red lentils, check out the following for inspiration:

• Classic Butternut Squash Soup in a Soup Maker
• Tikka Butternut Squash
• Curried Butternut Squash and Chickpea Soup Maker Soup
• Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup Maker Soup
• Butternut and Brie Soup Maker Soup
• Lentil and Bacon Soup Maker Soup
• Curried Lentil Soup Maker Soup
• Tomato and Lentil Soup Maker Soup
• Carrot and Lentil Soup Maker Soup
• Vegetable and Lentil Soup in a Soup Maker