One of my favorite ingredients EVER is chipotle peppers in adobo. They are a cooks secret weapon; they pack huge flavor and are so inexpensive and readily available. I usually buy a whole can, use what I need and then freeze the rest. I pull one out when I need it and I’m always SO glad I froze them.

This recipe was one of those instances when I was making a pumpkin tomato soup and it just needed something to make it interesting. It was skating that line of bland and boring but then I opened up my freezer and I saw my beloved frozen chipotle peppers!

This recipe is super easy. I buy so many cans of pumpkin puree around this time of year so I always have straggler cans in my pantry. I love the cheddar cheese and diced tomato. I didn’t do this but this soup is begging for a grilled cheese to be dipped into it!!

Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

Dip a grilled cheese into this spicy seasonal pumpkin chipotle tomato soup. (Recipe Credit: Adrianna Adarme of Fresh Tastes)

Ingredients

• 3 (15-ounce) cans of diced tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo 
• 1 (15-ounce) can of pure pumpkin puree
• 2 (15-ounce) cans of chicken broth
• 1/4 cup of heavy cream
• Salt
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, as garnish
• 1 tablespoons minced Italian parsley, as garnish

Directions

1. Note: You may have to do this first step in batches, depending on how big your blender is. To a blender, add the diced tomatoes, garlic cloves and chipotle peppers. Pulse until very smooth. 
2. Pour into a large Dutch oven or pot, set over medium-low heat. Mix in the pumpkin puree and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cover to cook for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and mix in the heavy cream and salt to taste (I added about 1 1/2 teaspoon). 
3. Divide amongst bowls and garnish with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkling of Italian parsley. 

Yield: Serves 4-6

Adrianna Adarme is a food blogger and author living in Los Angeles, California. She writes the blog A Cozy Kitchen, where she shares comforting, everyday recipes from her kitchen. She recently authored her first cookbook, PANCAKES: 72 Sweet and Savory Recipes for the Perfect Stack. She’s a lover of breakfast, pie (and sometimes even pie for breakfast), corgis and cute things. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.