Soup is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or side, or as the main course. Its versatility spans across all four seasons: soup can be enjoyed in any weather. We’ve rounded up our best soup recipes, from a unique strawberry soup for the summer to a gingered squash and pear soup packed with the flavors of fall. (For more cold weather soup ideas, you’ll find endless inspiration in our recipe roundups of the best winter soups and easy fall soup recipes.)
These easy-to-prepare soup ideas feature simple ingredients and can be ready in a short amount of time, like our aptly-named school-night meatball soup recipe. As if you needed another great reason to enjoy soup! For more formal affairs, a silky, pureed soup — like our chestnut-parsnip soup — is a fancy option to consider for your next dinner party.
And, of course, when feeling less than your best self, a classic chicken soup recipe is great for fighting off a cold or warming up with on a rainy day. If healthy weight loss is the goal, the right soup can also help create the required calorie deficit. Our basic soup recipe for weight loss can be savored as is or changed up with easy substitutes that don’t go over your calorie count.
Whatever your needs, you’ll find a soup for every mood and craving among these 30 soup recipe ideas.
Ethan Calabrese
1
Chicken Parm Soup
All the taste of chicken parmesan in just one pot. A hearty soup that combines pasta, chicken, cheese and if you like, chunks of garlic bread, too.
Get the Chicken Parm Soup recipe.
Con Poulos
2
Cinnamon-Spiced Sweet Potato Soup with Maple Croutons
Enjoy this soup during maple syrup harvest season in March for seasonal flair. It’s also great for a Thanksgiving meal or autumnal dinner.
Get the Cinnamon-Spiced Sweet Potato Soup recipe.
Steve Giralt; Food styling by Anne Disrude; Prop styling by Marina Malchin
3
Chickpea and Red Pepper Soup with Quinoa
This is a protein packed soup getting its protein from both the chickpeas and from the quinoa. A great lunch option for on-the-go!
Get the Chickpea and Red Pepper Soup with Quinoa recipe.
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Woman’s Day
4
Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup
A wonderful weeknight meal, this spin on a classic lemon chicken and rice recipe will keep your tummy full. Substitute brown rice for a heart-healthy option.
Get the Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup recipe.
EzumeImages//Getty Images
5
Italian Wedding Soup
In this Italian Wedding Soup recipe, meatballs come together with vegetables and pastini in a happy marriage!
Get the Italian Wedding Soup recipe.
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6
Jalapeño-Spiked Black-Bean Soup
This recipe makes a flavorful Tex-Mex soup that goes great with salad, tacos, or a quesadilla. Use a hand blender to quickly make a soup of the black beans.
Get the Jalapeño-Spiked Black-Bean Soup recipe.
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Woman’s Day
7
Classic Chicken Soup
Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re feeling under the weather, a classic chicken soup is a favorite comfort food — especially when you have a sore throat.
Get the Classic Chicken Soup recipe.
Timmann, Claudia//Getty Images
8
Chilled Buttermilk-Vegetable Soup
Packed with cucumbers, tomatoes and avocado, the added buttermilk makes this a very refreshing soup. Enjoy in the summer months with a nice sandwich for lunch.
Get the Chilled Buttermilk-Vegetable Soup recipe.
Melina Hammer
9
Gingered Squash and Pear Soup
Ginger spice cuts through the vegetables and helps keep this soup from tasting overly sweet. The beautiful orange hue of this soup makes it a perfect accompaniment to a fall dinner table.
Get the Gingered Squash and Pear Soup recipe.
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10
Fisherman’s Bouillabaisse
If you love fish or the fruits of the sea, this French classic is for you. Hailing from Marseilles, France, this French twist on a fish soup is one for the books.
Get the Fisherman’s Bouillabaisse recipe.
Corbis
11
Winter Root Vegetable Soup
As per its name, you’ll love this hearty, comforting soup in the cold of winter. With uncomplicated ingredients, it offers an abundant serving of vegetables in one bowl.
Get the Winter Root Vegetable Soup recipe.
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12
‘All-You-Can-Eat Soup Diet’ Basic Soup Recipe
This slim down recipe makes several cups allowing you to use the recipe all week in your dieting pursuits. You can also change it up day by day by using the recipe as a base and adding additional ingredients over the week
Get the Basic Soup recipe.
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13
Honeydew and Lime Soup
For a refreshing spring or summer soup, try this recipe for a soup that’s served cold. A touch of hot sauce prevents this soup from tasting like a juice or smoothie.
Get the Honeydew and Lime Soup recipe.
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14
Onion Soup with Parmesan Croutons
In this update of a classic recipe, onion soup is prepared with cheesy croutons that are made of French bread. The addition of leeks helps separate the taste of this onion soup recipe from others.
Get the Onion Soup with Parmesan Croutons recipe.
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15
Beet and Barley Soup
This vegetarian soup has a rich, jewel-like color thanks to beets cooked in their juices. Combined with mushrooms and barley, it makes for a filling meal.
Get the Beet and Barley Soup recipe.
RELATED: 25 Vegan Dinner Ideas for Easy Weeknight Meals
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Levi Brown
16
Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup
Peanuts add a unique flavor and heat to a classic sweet potato soup. This savory soup is a nice way to enjoy sweet potato without added fruits, like with other sweet potato recipes.
Get the Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup recipe.
Kat Teutsch
17
Summer Minestrone
Whether for spring or summer, this simple minestrone puts the season’s best veggies forward. Asparagus and snap peas make this a delectable soup.
Get the Summer Minestrone recipe.
Romulo Yanes
18
Potato Leek Soup
Rather than a creamy potato bisque, this Potato Leek Soup has a base of chicken broth. Chunks of soft potatoes are added in for a light-as-air soup.
Get the Potato Leek Soup recipe.
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Theresa Raffetto
19
Strawberry Soup
The addition of sour cream separates this soup from tasting like a strawberry smoothie. Enjoy it as a dessert course!
Get the Strawberry Soup recipe.
