Spiced Pork, Squash and White Bean Soup

If you could combine everything warm, hearty and comforting you can think of in a bowl, this soup would be it.

Ok, maybe add some orzo or orecchiette in the mix and then it’s winter comfort perfection, but this right here was realllllly close.

A few years ago, I finally gave one of those meal kit services a try after resisting for way too long.

The little voice in my head kept saying, “Gina, you cook for a living. You have absolutely no business having dinner ingredients delivered to your doorstep when you’re at the grocery store three times a week.”

And for the longest time, I listened to that voice.

What I should’ve said was, “Please be quiet. When I get home from CrossFit at 8 p.m. and still have to figure out dinner, all logic goes out the window.”

Turns out, I kind of get the appeal.

I enjoy cooking. I don’t mind chopping vegetables or standing at the stove. What I don’t always enjoy is figuring out what to make, planning the meals and making sure I have everything on hand.

One of the recipes in that box was a version of this pork, squash and white bean soup and it immediately stood out to me.

It had all the things I gravitate toward once the weather turns cold: hearty beans, sweet winter squash, savory pork and plenty of warming spices.

Of course, after making it once, I couldn’t leave it alone.

I tweaked a few things, used chicken broth instead of water for more flavor and adjusted the ingredients to better match how I cook at home. That’s how this version ended up here.

What I love most about this soup is how flexible it is.

It’s reminiscent of my Tuscan kale soup recipe, but much heartier and more substantial.

The ingredients are winter perfect and you can easily swap in another squash if that’s what you have on hand. Kabocha would be great here, but check out my guide to winter squash for plenty more options.

You can also stir in a small pasta shape near the end of cooking if you’re looking for something even more filling.

This is the kind of meal that calls for sweatpants, a blanket and a spot on the couch. Preferably with a fire going and something mindless on TV.

Try this Italian Tomato Pasta Soup or this Hot and Sour Egg Drop Soup for more cozy soup recipes or, give this Instant Pot ground pork casserole a shot for another way to enjoy ground pork in a comforting meal.