In the autumn, pumpkins begin showing up on doorsteps beside pots of mums: bright orange pumpkins carved with whimsical designs and squash of all hues and sizes stacked or piled artistically. Pumpkins aren't just for decorating, though; they're also delicious in soup and other dishes! But what to serve with pumpkin soup?
Pumpkin soup is a great way to use uncarved pumpkins after you've finished decorating with them, but many people don't realize these decorative squashes are also edible!
Each variety has a subtly different flavor and texture, and you might find that you have a favorite. Any of them can be made into pumpkin soup, though. Other types of winter squash, such as butternut, can also be used in "pumpkin" recipes, as they taste very similar, especially with spices and other ingredients mixed in.
What to Serve with Pumpkin Soup
When considering what to serve with pumpkin soup, the first ideas to come to mind might be bread or salad, both of which are great options. If you're looking for something different, I have some other delicious possibilities for you too.
1. Broccoli salad
Instead of a traditional lettuce-based salad, try adding a more seasonal vegetable to your greens. Broccoli salad is crunchy, creamy, and flavorful, often with a burst of sweetness from raisins or apples. The crunch adds a nice contrast to pureed pumpkin soup.
2. Quiche
Quiche pairs beautifully with soup to make a filling meal. Although it sounds fancy, quiche is relatively easy to make. Intimidated by the crust? Buy a premade one! I won't tell. An earthy wild mushroom gruyere quiche would complement pumpkin soup nicely.
3. Stuffed mushrooms
Although typically considered appetizers, stuffed mushrooms make a great side dish for pumpkin soup. Try a delicious recipe like spinach stuffed mushrooms or vegetarian stuffed mushrooms.
4. Grilled cheese sandwich
It's hard to go wrong with grilled cheese and soup! This classic sandwich is warm, gooey, and chewy, perfect for pumpkin soup. You can even get a little creative and make a couple of cheese quesadillas with leftover tortillas instead.
5. Vegetable fritters
While the pumpkin soup is simmering, you could fry up a batch of vegetable fritters to go along with it.
These fried patties have a crispy exterior with healthy veggies packed inside. Try cauliflower broccoli fritters for a seasonal pairing.
6. Grain salad
Fresh vegetables are scarce in fall and winter, making salads that feature grains, dried fruits, and nuts great side dishes. Add another fall flavor to your table with a quinoa fruit nut salad or a wheat berry salad.
7. French bread
What goes better with soup than bread? You can choose any bread, really, but French bread has a wonderfully chewy texture that just begs to be dipped in a hot bowl of soup.
You can also choose gluten-free French bread or even crusty French rolls.
8. Stuffed peppers
Like quiche, stuffed peppers offer a nice, filling side option for a heartier meal. These are perfect for that in-between time that blurs late summer and early fall, when cool evenings inspire soup for dinner but the first frost hasn't come yet. Try risotto stuffed peppers for a vegan option.
9. Green salad
Another classic side, green salad is easy to throw together and provides a cool, crunchy complement to warm pumpkin soup. Add a little autumnal twist and make a pear and walnut salad.
FAQs
You can use any type of pumpkin to make pumpkin soup, from pie pumpkins to heirloom varieties. Canned pumpkin puree works, too, of course (just make sure not to use pie filling!), and you can even substitute other types of winter squash, such as butternut.
It can be! Plenty of delicious vegetarian pumpkin soup recipes are available, but you can also substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and leave out any meat a recipe calls for.
If you would like to serve a cup of pumpkin soup alongside an entrée, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some sides listed above work as main dishes, such as quiche, stuffed peppers, or grilled cheese sandwiches. Other possibilities include grilled chicken, roast turkey (think Thanksgiving!), and tuna casserole.
We don't often think about adding toppings to soup, but a sprinkle of roasted pumpkin seeds or a drizzle of cream or yogurt can take your pumpkin soup to the next level.
Now that you know how to serve pumpkin soup, you're ready for a cozy fall meal! And you don't have to stop at just one side dish; try adding a couple of options, such as stuffed mushrooms and broccoli salad. Yum!
More Soup Side Dish Ideas
- what to serve with butternut squash soup
- what to serve with French onion soup
- what to serve with lentil soup
- what to serve with beef stew
Here's a great pumpkin cookbook to help you use up all the fall pumpkins you gathered.
