Nothing beats a hot bowl of soup to warm you up from the inside out. Our collection of 15 soup ideas is perfect for those chilly days or when you just need a cozy meal. From classic chicken noodle to exotic flavors, these soups are easy, comforting, and absolutely delicious. Ready to dive into a world of warmth and flavor?
AUTHOR: Rebeca Holcomb
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Crusty bread and Gruyère cheese set this soup apart, not to mention the bold flavor of those caramelized onions. Simple and filling, this aromatic soup will pair perfectly with a cool Sunday evening; if you have leftovers, it'll likely taste even better the following afternoon. Get The Recipe
2. Icelandic Vegetable and Oat Soup
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If you like colorful vegetables, this soup is for you. Bright green broccoli florets, gorgeous orange carrot slices, hunky red potatoes (with the skin), chives, spinach leaves, and fresh ground oats make this soup a winner for an easy, hearty meal. I love to combine this wonderful soup with a nice sandwich. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato sliders are my favorite sandwich of choice.
3. Creamy Tomato Bisque
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Put a fun, filling twist on tomato soup with this beautiful recipe from one of America's best self-taught chefs. Ina Garten, owner of the Barefoot Contessa brand, loves making food that other people want, and this soup is one of her lovely recipes. You can match this beautiful soup with a regular grilled cheese or go for Ina's Cheddar and Chutney Grilled Cheese; either way, you'll love it.
4. Vegetarian Chili With Grains and Beans
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For my meatless main lovers, this beautiful, season slayer chili is packed with flavor and color to please your pallet and your eyes. This option is especially nice for people who love their food to look good before they devour it. Warm and satisfying, this hearty stew is even better for lunch or dinner on day two.
5. Ultimate Chicken Noodle
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I confess: I love tons of chunky vegetables in my soups. It doesn't matter what soup it is; I want tons of thick-cut veggies. My husband, however, does not. So we compromise. He gets thinner vegetables, and I overload my soups with them. Ultimate chicken soup is one of my favorite homemade soups to create on a chilly fall day. Hearty, brothy, and oh-so-good, this soup has a lot of tender chicken breast (dark meat works, too), a thick, rich broth, and tons of carrots and celery. Add seasonings you love, a cube of chicken bullion for extra flavor, and serve with freshly baked bread or a nice garlic knot.
6. Creamy Mushroom Soup
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This lovely soup is my mom's favorite; nothing beats the homemade version. The canned version can't beat the rich, bold mushroom flavor and the fullness of heavy whipping cream. You can also use your favorite mushroom variety for the flavor punch you love. This soup pairs with leftover crostini or toasted buttered French bread slices.
7. Harvest Pumpkin Soup
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I love pumpkin desserts. Pumpkin pie and pumpkin rolls are my favorites, and I often make them for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don't, however, enjoy pumpkin spice-flavored anything. Coffee creamer, no. Latte's with the seasonal essence, no thanks. This beautiful soup is one area where I can enjoy pumpkin without the fake seasoning. This simple soup is a heady mix of heavy cream, pumpkin squash (not from a can), and spices like nutmeg and pepper. Potato and onion round out the flavors to give you an authentic autumn soup for an afternoon when the weather's up.
8. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup
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For anyone needing a little spice, this soup version of a beautiful dinner is a combination made in foodie heaven. Chicken, cheese, fresh bacon bits, and jalapeños make this a soup with a kick you can genuinely enjoy. It's particularly lovely on a chilly night due to the extra heat of the jalapeño peppers. Pro tip: If you want some heat, but not a lot, remove the seeds from your pepper slices before adding them to your soup.
9. Classic Potato Soup
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Canned cream adds heft to this simple soup that you can alter with as many vegetables as you like. I love red potatoes for this recipe as they add flavor, the skins aren't thick, and they pair well with other veggies and ham steaks. As a child, I was not fond of plain soups, but as I've grown, I appreciate the simplicity of a hearty soup like a simple potato. Simple or gusseted up, this soup is comforting on a chilly night.
10. Yukgaejang: Spicy Korean Beef Soup
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I've never made this soup, but many recipes call for shredded beef brisket, water, fernbrake (bracken fiddlehead), bean sprouts, green onions, sesame oil, and Korean chili powder. *If you plan to forage for your fern fiddleheads, study which ones are safe, as most varieties contain carcinogens. Most people knowledgeable in this area subscribe to only eating Ostrich fiddleheads, which are said to taste like a combination of asparagus, green beans, and broccoli.
11. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
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This soup is perfect for the classic bread bowl. The quintessential comfort food, this cheesy broccoli favorite will hit the spot no matter when you decide to serve it, and since you serve it in a bread bowl, the cleanup is even easier. I don't know about you, but easy cleanup is the way to my oldest daughter's heart. Get The Recipe
12. Pasta Fagioli
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This Italian dish is comfort food in a bowl. Healthy vegetables, your favorite noodles, and beans will transform into a hearty helping of goodness that'll satisfy you long after you take your last bite. Rich and flavorful, this soup is an excellent addition to any party menu or holiday appetizer. To round out a meal of Pasta Fagioli, add a fresh, crisp side salad and a hot loaf of garlic bread.
13. Bacon Sweet Potato Soup
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The best sort of sweet and salty comes together in this fantastic soup, which couldn't be simpler. Pick up some of your favorite bacon and cook five slices until they're tender—sautee one and a half cups of chopped onions and set aside. Peel and chop two large sweet potatoes and place them in a large saucepan. Sprinkle them with a teaspoon of nutmeg. Pour in four cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil until the potatoes are cooked well and soft. Puree this mixture and add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in two tablespoons of pure Maple syrup and sauteed onions. Serve in your favorite soup bowl or mug. Sprinkle with bacon and your favorite minced herbs.
14. Taco Soup
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If you've ever wanted tacos and didn't have tortillas on the shelf, this soup is for you. Beautiful, hearty, and packed with flavor, this soup will give you that lovely Tex-Mex experience your heart craves. Ground beef, taco seasoning, corn, and tomatoes combine to create a thick, flavorful dish that pairs expertly with cheese and sour cream. Serve warm with a sprinkle of chives for rave reviews.
15. Roasted Cauliflower Soup
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This gorgeous cauliflower soup is not to be missed as cream soups go. Cauliflower forest, a medium onion vegetable broth, lemon juice, sea salt, and nutmeg come together to create this stunning, richly flavored soup that will leave you wanting more on a chilly afternoon or early evening. Serve as is with a side of warm toast or spoon it up as a side to your favorite meat main, and you'll enjoy an even more robust meal.
Source: Salt and Wind, Country Living, Delish, Mashed, Rural Sprout,
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