Soup is a great meal for cold days. It warms you up and fills your belly.

There are many kinds of soup you can make at home.

These 16 soup recipes are tasty and easy to cook. You’ll find options for meat lovers and vegetarians.

Some soups are creamy, while others are brothy. Try a new soup recipe to spice up your dinner routine.

1. Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need chicken, vegetables, noodles, and broth.

Start by cooking diced chicken in a pot. Add chopped carrots, celery, and onions.

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.

Add egg noodles and cook until tender. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or parsley.

Your homemade chicken noodle soup will be rich and satisfying. It’s perfect for cold days or when you’re feeling under the weather.

2. Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato basil soup is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make at home. You can use fresh tomatoes or canned ones for this recipe.

Start by roasting tomatoes, carrots, onions, and celery in the oven. This brings out their natural sweetness and deepens the flavor.

Blend the roasted vegetables with chicken broth, oregano, and fresh basil.

For a creamy texture, add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk.

To thicken the soup, make a simple roux with butter and flour. Stir it into the soup and let it simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serve your homemade tomato basil soup hot with a sprinkle of fresh basil on top. It’s perfect for a cozy meal on a chilly day.

3. Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup is a hearty meal perfect for cold days. This soup combines tender chunks of beef with chewy barley and vegetables in a rich broth.

To make it, you’ll brown beef chunks first. This adds flavor to the soup. Then you’ll add onions, garlic, and carrots.

Pour in beef broth and add barley. Let it simmer until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.

You can add potatoes for extra heartiness.

Some recipes include tomato paste or Worcestershire sauce for depth. You can make this soup on the stove or in a slow cooker for convenience.

4. Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash soup is a cozy fall favorite. You can make it creamy or vegan to suit your taste.

Start by sautéing onions and garlic in butter or oil.

Add cubed butternut squash, carrots, and potatoes to give the soup body.

Pour in some chicken or vegetable broth and simmer until the squash is tender.

Blend everything until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme for extra flavor.

You can also add a dash of chipotle for a spicy kick.

This soup is perfect for chilly days and makes great leftovers. Serve it with crusty bread for a comforting meal.

5. Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is a hearty Italian classic you can easily make at home. This veggie-packed soup starts with a base of onions, carrots, and celery sautéed in oil or butter.

Add garlic, tomatoes, and your choice of seasonal vegetables like green beans, zucchini, or spinach.

Toss in some beans and small pasta shapes for extra substance.

Simmer everything in a flavorful broth seasoned with Italian herbs.

The result is a thick, comforting soup perfect for chilly days. Serve your minestrone with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and crusty bread on the side for a satisfying meal.

6. French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a classic dish that’s perfect for cold days. You start by caramelizing onions until they’re golden brown. This process takes about 30-40 minutes.

Next, add garlic and cook for a couple more minutes. Then pour in beef broth and some red wine for extra flavor. Let the soup simmer to blend all the tastes together.

Top each bowl with a slice of crusty bread and melted cheese. Gruyere is the traditional choice, but Swiss cheese works well too.

This soup takes time to make, but the result is worth it. You’ll end up with a rich, savory dish that’s sure to warm you up.

7. Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines flavorful meatballs with vegetables and pasta in a savory broth.

To make it, you’ll form small meatballs using a mix of ground beef and pork, seasoned with Parmesan cheese and herbs.

The soup base typically includes chicken broth, spinach or escarole, and small pasta shapes like orzo or acini di pepe.

You can add carrots and celery for extra flavor and nutrition.

To prepare, cook the meatballs first, then simmer them in the broth with the vegetables and pasta. The result is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for cold days or when you need a pick-me-up.

8. Corn Chowder

Corn chowder is a comforting soup perfect for cooler days. You can make it easily at home with fresh or frozen corn.

Start by cooking bacon in your pot. Use the bacon fat to sauté onions, celery, and potatoes.

Add corn, chicken broth, and milk.

Simmer until the vegetables are tender. For a thicker soup, blend part of it or add cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Top your chowder with crispy bacon bits and fresh chives. You can also add cheese for extra flavor.

This hearty soup makes a filling meal on its own or pairs well with crusty bread.

9. Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for chilly days. You can easily make it at home with simple ingredients.

Start by sautéing carrots, onions, celery, and garlic in olive oil until soft.

Add lentils, broth, and your favorite spices.

For a smooth texture, blend the soup after cooking. If you prefer it chunky, leave it as is.

Try different lentil varieties like red, green, or brown for unique flavors and textures.

Customize your lentil soup with add-ins like diced tomatoes, spinach, or ham. Serve it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

10. Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make at home. You can create a hearty version using dried yellow and green split peas.

Add tender vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions for extra flavor and nutrition.

Many recipes include ham or bacon for a smoky taste, but you can also make vegetarian versions.

To prepare, simmer the peas with vegetables and seasonings until they break down and form a thick, creamy soup. You can adjust the consistency by adding more broth if needed.

This filling soup is perfect for cold days and keeps well in the freezer. Serve it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

11. Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli cheddar soup is a comforting classic you can easily make at home. You’ll need broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, onions, carrots, and garlic as key ingredients.

Start by cooking the onions, carrots, and garlic in butter until tender.

Add flour to create a roux, then slowly stir in milk or cream. This forms the base of your creamy soup.

Next, add the broccoli and let it simmer until soft. For a smoother texture, you can blend some or all of the soup.

Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese last, letting it melt into the soup.

Some recipes include potato for extra thickness. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli depending on what’s available. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade broccoli cheddar soup!

12. Clam Chowder

Clam chowder is a comforting soup that’s perfect for cold days. You’ll love its creamy texture and rich flavors.

This classic dish features tender clams, diced potatoes, and vegetables in a thick broth.

To make clam chowder at home, start with bacon for a smoky base.

Add onions, celery, and carrots for flavor and crunch. Potatoes give the soup substance and help thicken it.

The star ingredients are the clams and their juices. Use canned clams for convenience or fresh ones if available. Finish with cream or milk for that signature velvety consistency.

Serve your homemade clam chowder with crusty bread for dipping. It’s a satisfying meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

13. Potato Leek Soup

Potato leek soup is a comforting classic that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need potatoes, leeks, butter, garlic, and broth as the main ingredients.

Start by cleaning and chopping the leeks. Peel and cube the potatoes.

In a pot, cook the leeks in butter until soft. Add garlic and cook briefly.

Next, add the potatoes and broth. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.

Blend the soup to your desired consistency.

For extra creaminess, stir in some milk or cream at the end. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can garnish with fresh herbs if you like.

This soup freezes well, so make a big batch to enjoy later. It’s perfect for cold days or when you want a light meal.

14. Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cream of mushroom soup is a comforting classic you can easily make at home. You’ll need butter, mushrooms, onions, and cream as key ingredients.

Start by sautéing mushrooms and onions in butter until golden brown. This brings out their rich flavors.

Next, blend the mixture with broth for a smooth texture.

Add cream and seasonings to taste. Simmer until the soup reaches your desired thickness.

You can use different mushroom types for varied flavors.

This homemade version beats canned soup any day. It’s perfect on its own or as a base for other recipes. You’ll love how quick and simple it is to make this creamy, hearty soup from scratch.

15. Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono soup is a Greek classic that combines chicken, rice, and a creamy lemon-egg sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for cold days or when you’re feeling under the weather.

To make avgolemono, start with a flavorful chicken broth. Add cooked rice or orzo pasta for substance.

The signature element is the egg-lemon mixture, which thickens the soup and gives it a silky texture.

You can prepare this soup in about 30 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying meal.

The bright lemon flavor balances the richness of the broth, creating a unique and delicious taste.

Try adding vegetables like carrots or spinach for extra nutrition. You can also adjust the amount of lemon to suit your taste preferences.

16. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a chilled Spanish soup perfect for hot summer days. You can make this refreshing dish with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and garlic.

Blend the vegetables until smooth, then add olive oil and vinegar for flavor. Chill the soup for at least 4 hours before serving.

For extra texture, set aside some diced vegetables to add on top. You can also garnish with croutons or a drizzle of olive oil.

Gazpacho is easy to customize. Try adding watermelon for sweetness or jalapeño for a spicy kick. Serve it in bowls or small glasses as an appetizer.

Benefits of Homemade Soups

Homemade soups offer many advantages for your health and wallet. They’re packed with nutrients and can save you money compared to store-bought options.

Nutritional Advantages

Homemade soups are full of good stuff for your body. You control what goes in, so you can pick fresh, whole ingredients.

This means more vitamins and minerals for you.

Soups made at home often have less salt and unhealthy fats. You can add lots of veggies to boost the nutrition.

Many homemade soups use bone broth, which is great for your gut health.

Cooking soup at home lets you make big batches. You can freeze portions for quick, healthy meals later.

This helps you eat well even on busy days.

Cost-Effectiveness

Making soup at home can save you money. Store-bought soups are often pricey, but homemade versions cost less per serving.

You can use cheap ingredients like dried beans and root veggies. These items fill you up without breaking the bank.

Buying in bulk and using seasonal produce cuts costs even more.

Homemade soup is perfect for using up leftovers. Toss in extra veggies or meats before they go bad. This reduces food waste and stretches your grocery budget.

Essential Ingredients for Soup Making

A great soup starts with quality ingredients. The broth forms the base, while fresh vegetables add flavor and nutrients.

Let’s look at how to choose these key components.

Choosing the Right Broth

Broth is the foundation of most soups. You can use chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. Store-bought broths work well, but homemade gives the best flavor.

For chicken broth, simmer bones with onions, carrots, and celery. Beef broth needs longer cooking to extract flavor from the bones.

Vegetable broth is quick – just simmer carrots, onions, celery, and herbs.

Low-sodium broths let you control the salt. You can always add more later.

For richer soups, try stock instead of broth. It has a fuller body from longer simmering with bones.

Adding Fresh Vegetables

Fresh veggies boost flavor and nutrition in soups. Common choices are onions, carrots, and celery.

These create a tasty base when cooked in oil before adding broth.

Leafy greens like spinach or kale work well. Add them near the end so they don’t overcook.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes add bulk and creaminess.

Frozen veggies are good in a pinch. They’re picked at peak ripeness.

Canned tomatoes are great for tomato-based soups.

Cut veggies in even sizes so they cook evenly. Harder veggies like carrots need more time than softer ones like zucchini.