As the seasons change and temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to lift your spirits and comfort your soul. Whether you’re on the hunt for something light and refreshing in spring, hearty and filling for the winter, or something in between, these ten cozy soup recipes will warm up your kitchen and keep you satisfied all year long. From classic favorites to unique twists, there’s a soup for every palate, occasion, and season.
Recipe Overview
Recipe Name | Difficulty | Prep Time | Cooking Time | Total Time | Servings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Tomato Soup | Easy | 10 min | 20 min | 30 min | 4 |
Creamy Mushroom Soup | Medium | 15 min | 30 min | 45 min | 6 |
Butternut Squash Soup | Easy | 10 min | 35 min | 45 min | 4 |
Chicken Noodle Soup | Medium | 15 min | 25 min | 40 min | 6 |
Lentil Soup | Easy | 10 min | 30 min | 40 min | 4 |
Spicy Black Bean Soup | Medium | 10 min | 25 min | 35 min | 4 |
Potato Leek Soup | Medium | 10 min | 30 min | 40 min | 4 |
New England Clam Chowder | Difficult | 30 min | 45 min | 1 hr 15 min | 6 |
Minestrone Soup | Medium | 15 min | 40 min | 55 min | 8 |
Chicken Tortilla Soup | Medium | 15 min | 30 min | 45 min | 4 |
1. Classic Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
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- 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
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- 1 medium onion, diced
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
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- 1 cup vegetable broth
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- 1 teaspoon sugar
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- Salt and pepper to taste
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- Fresh basil for garnish
Execution:
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- Sauté the Aromatics: In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
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- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the tomatoes and vegetable broth; add sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
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- Simmer: Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
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- Blend: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth or carefully transfer to a blender.
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- Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil.
Additional Tips:
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- Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich for a classic combo.
2. Creamy Mushroom Soup
Ingredients:
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- 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
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- 1 medium onion, chopped
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
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- 4 cups vegetable broth
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- 1 cup heavy cream
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- 2 tablespoons butter
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté the Onions and Mushrooms: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft, then add mushrooms and garlic, sautéing until mushrooms soften.
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- Add Broth: Pour in vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
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- Blend and Cream: Use an immersion blender to purée the soup. Stir in heavy cream and heat through.
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- Serve: Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.
Additional Tips:
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- Top with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor.
3. Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
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- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
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- 1 onion, chopped
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
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- 4 cups vegetable broth
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- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Heat oil in a pot, add onions and sauté until clear, then add garlic.
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- Add Squash and Broth: Add the cubed butternut squash, vegetable broth, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
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- Cook Until Soft: Bring to a boil and simmer until the squash is tender, about 30 minutes.
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- Blend and Serve: Puree the soup, then serve hot.
Additional Tips:
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- For extra creaminess, add a splash of coconut milk.
4. Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
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- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
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- 1 cup carrots, sliced
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- 1 cup celery, diced
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- 8 cups chicken broth
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- 2 cups egg noodles
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- Salt and pepper to taste
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- Fresh parsley for garnish
Execution:
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- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, sauté carrots and celery until soft.
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- Add Broth and Chicken: Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the shredded chicken.
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- Cook Noodles: Add egg noodles and cook until tender.
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- Serve: Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Additional Tips:
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- Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness!
5. Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
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- 1 cup lentils, rinsed
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- 1 onion, chopped
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- 2 carrots, diced
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- 2 celery stalks, diced
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- 4 cups vegetable broth
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- 1 teaspoon thyme
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté Veggies: In a pot, heat oil, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft.
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- Add Lentils and Broth: Stir in lentils, broth, and thyme.
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- Simmer: Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
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- Serve: Season to taste and enjoy!
Additional Tips:
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- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar just before serving for an extra kick.
6. Spicy Black Bean Soup
Ingredients:
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- 2 cans black beans, rinsed
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- 1 onion, chopped
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
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- 4 cups vegetable broth
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- 1 teaspoon chili powder
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- 1 teaspoon cumin
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until fragrant.
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- Add Beans and Spices: Stir in black beans, chili powder, cumin, and broth.
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- Simmer: Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes.
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- Blend and Serve: Optionally blend for a smoother texture and serve hot.
Additional Tips:
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- Serve with avocado slices for a creamy addition.
7. Potato Leek Soup
Ingredients:
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- 3 leeks, cleaned and sliced
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- 2 cups potatoes, diced
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- 4 cups vegetable broth
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- 1 cup heavy cream
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté Leeks: In a pot, sauté the leeks until soft.
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- Add Potatoes and Broth: Add potatoes and broth; bring to a boil.
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- Cook Until Soft: Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft.
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- Blend and Cream: Blend until smooth and stir in heavy cream, then season.
Additional Tips:
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- Top with crispy bacon for a delicious crunch!
8. New England Clam Chowder
Ingredients:
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- 2 cans clams, drained and juice reserved
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- 3 cups potatoes, diced
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- 1 cup onion, chopped
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- 1 cup celery, chopped
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- 1 cup heavy cream
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- 2 cups water
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté Onions and Celery: In a large pot, sauté onion and celery until soft.
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- Add Potatoes and Water: Add potatoes, clam juice, water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
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- Cook Potatoes: Simmer until potatoes are tender.
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- Add Clams and Cream: Stir in clams and cream, heat through, and serve.
Additional Tips:
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- Serve with oyster crackers for a classic touch.
9. Minestrone Soup
Ingredients:
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- 1 cup diced tomatoes
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- 1 cup carrots, diced
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- 1 cup zucchini, diced
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- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
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- 4 cups vegetable broth
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- 1 can kidney beans, drained
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- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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- Salt and pepper to taste
Execution:
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- Sauté Vegetables: In a pot, sauté carrots, zucchini, and green beans until softened.
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- Add Other Ingredients: Add tomatoes, broth, kidney beans, and Italian seasoning; simmer for 40 minutes.
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- Serve: Season to taste and serve hot.
Additional Tips:
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- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving for extra flavor.
10. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients:
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- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
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- 1 can diced tomatoes
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- 1 cup corn
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- 4 cups chicken broth
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- 1 can black beans, rinsed
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- 1 teaspoon cumin
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- Tortilla strips for serving
Execution:
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- Sauté Ingredients: In a pot, sauté tomatoes, corn, and black beans until heated.
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- Add Broth and Chicken: Pour in chicken broth and add cooked chicken and cumin.
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- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to let simmer for 30 minutes.
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- Serve with Toppings: Serve hot, garnished with tortilla strips.
Additional Tips:
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- A squeeze of lime juice enhances the flavors beautifully.
With these cozy soup recipes, you’ll be ready to warm up your kitchen and savor each delicious spoonful, no matter the season. Happy cooking!