How can any soup be worthy of the title “million dollar soup?”

Well, it has to be a darn good soup, and this one certainly is.

This will quickly become your go-to soup recipe.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup in a bowl to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It highlights seasonal produce and is just the coziest cuppa to cuddle up with on chilly nights.

It’s also the kind of soup that takes well to riffing.

Sub out rosemary, and you have a whole new flavor profile.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sub Conecuh sausage for chicken sausage, and you get something even spicier and more savory.

This million dollar soup holds the balance between simplicity and luxury beautifully.

salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 2 sprigs of thyme.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup spreading the squash and sausage on the baking sheet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Spread onto prepared baking sheet.

Roast until squash is softened and sausage has begun to brown, 25 minutes.

Heat to medium and cook bacon until crisp, 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup roasting the squash and sausage

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove bacon from pan:

Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving fat in pan.

Cook garlic, onion, and celery:

Add butter to pot, swirling to combine.

Add onion, garlic, and celery and cook 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup cooking the bacon until crisp

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Make roux:

Add flour to create a light roux, stirring constantly.

When mixture has thickened, add white wine, stir and cook for 1 minute.

Add stock:

Add stock, remaining salt and pepper, thyme sprigs and beans.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup bacon grease in the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.

Blend some of the soup mixture:

Remove 3 cups from mixture and transfer to a blender.

Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup cooking the onions and peppers

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Blend until smooth and stir blended mixture back into soup pot.

Return to a simmer.

Stir in heavy cream and lemon zest.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup making the roux

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Garnish and serve:

Top individual servings with extra thyme leaves and bacon.

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup adding the broth to the soup

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup blending the soup

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup adding the kale and roasted vegetables

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Million Dollar Soup in a bowl to serve with bacon on top

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox