The 40 Essential Soups You Need to Make This Fall

Updated September 08, 2020

As the weather starts to turn cooler, cozy up with a bowl of these satisfying soup recipes. Whether it’s a classic like chicken noodle or butternut squash, these recipes are packed with tons of vegetables and protein. The best thing about these soups is that you can make them in advance and freeze them for an easy dinner during the week. Recipes like Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup and Mediterranean Cabbage Soup are hearty and perfect for fall.

Start Slideshow

1 of 40

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Treat dinner guests to this premeal soup loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Puréeing only some of the slow-cooker mushroom soup gives the dish complex texture and eye appeal. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 40

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This creamy chicken and mushroom soup is easy to make. The mix of vegetables and thyme adds richness, while the bone-in chicken flavors the broth. If you're in a hurry, you can skip the chicken breasts and add rotisserie chicken at the end instead. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2020

3 of 40

Mediterranean Cabbage Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegan soup recipe is surprisingly easy to make. The flavorful broth is spiked with garlic, tomatoes and a hint of coriander. Just slice and dice your cabbage and fennel and you'll be enjoying this quick healthy soup in no time. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

Advertisement

4 of 40

Pumpkin Curry Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy soup recipe mixes in allspice, curry powder, spicy chiles and ginger to give this pumpkin curry soup a Jamaican feel. While habanero is traditional, jalapeños provide a mellower kick. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2020

5 of 40

Thai-Inspired Curry Carrot Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This carrot soup is loaded with veggies and features vibrant curry paste and creamy coconut milk. And this big-batch recipe freezes well for up to 4 months. Enjoy this mildly spicy soup with a toasted mango-chutney-and-cheese sandwich, or thin the soup with more water or broth and use it as the base for a curry with chunks of firm white fish and broccoli. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September 2020

6 of 40

Stuffed Cabbage Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Like stuffed cabbage? You'll love this easy stuffed cabbage soup. It's got all of the classic flavors of stuffed cabbage without all the fuss of stuffing. Plus, you can make this warming soup ahead of time or freeze it for later for a quick dinner or lunch. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2020

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 40

Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mild Italian sausage and potatoes are the foundation for this simple sausage, potato and kale soup. Serve it with slices of whole-wheat bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying lunch or dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2020

8 of 40

Vegetable Barley Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This warming vegetable barley soup uses easy-to-find produce and frozen veggies, making prep simple and easy. It makes plenty to feed a hungry family, plus it freezes beautifully so leftovers can be enjoyed again and again. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2020

9 of 40

Flat-Belly Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegan soup recipe is chock-full of colorful vegetables. All those veggies give this soup plenty of fiber, upping the satisfaction factor while keeping calories low, which can aid in weight loss and lead to--yes--a flatter belly. Vibrant turmeric adds a golden color to the flavorful broth, while cumin and ginger give it a bright, fresh finish. And the best part? This healthy soup recipe takes only 20 minutes, start to finish! Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 40

Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy cauliflower soup recipe, roasting the cauliflower first adds depth and prevents the florets from turning to mush. A little tomato sauce and coconut milk give the broth a rich, silky texture. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, if desired.

11 of 40

Mexican Cabbage Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Based on a popular weight-loss plan, this healthy cabbage soup recipe gets tons of flavor and a metabolism-boosting kick from spicy chiles.

12 of 40

Slow-Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Like most soups, this Moroccan lentil soup recipe gets better with time as the complex seasonings have time to develop. Make it a day ahead if you can--this easy slow cooker/crock pot recipe variation makes it a cinch to get the soup cooking while you do other things.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 40

Singapore-Style Chicken & Noodle Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy curry laksa, a popular Southeast Asian noodle soup, chicken, coconut milk, tomatoes and tons of warm spices make this a flavorful favorite. While there are a lot of ingredients, the leftover soup is even better the next day for lunch.

14 of 40

Smoked Gouda-Broccoli Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Smoked paprika and smoked Gouda give this broccoli-and-cheese soup recipe a double hit of smoky flavor. If you can't find smoked Gouda, smoked Cheddar gives delicious results as well.

15 of 40

Kielbasa & Cabbage Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This Eastern European soup (called kapusniak in Polish) is traditionally made with sauerkraut. To keep the sodium in check in this healthy recipe, we use fresh cabbage and save the sauerkraut for a deliciously salty-sour garnish.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 40

Shiitake & Noodle Hot & Sour Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegetarian hot-&-sour-inspired soup is chock-full of tofu and vegetables, plus noodles to make it hearty enough for dinner.

17 of 40

Cauliflower Soup with Smoked Gouda

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy cauliflower soup recipe gets its great flavor from two smoked ingredients--paprika and Gouda. A hearty serving of crunchy croutons makes it filling.

18 of 40

Veggistrone

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegetable-packed minestrone soup recipe is inspired by a popular Weight Watchers vegetable soup recipe. It makes a big pot of soup, so keep some in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze the rest in single-serve portions. That way you always have an easy, delicious vegetable soup to start your meal or to eat for lunch. Think of this vegetable minestrone recipe as a starting point for other healthy soup variations, too: toss in leftover chopped cooked chicken or whole-wheat pasta or brown rice to make it more satisfying.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 40

Creamy Mushroom Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There's no cream in this silky mushroom soup. Pureed potatoes give this vegan mushroom soup its creamy texture. Be sure to use Yukon Gold--russets don't provide quite the right texture.

20 of 40

Sweet Potato-Peanut Bisque

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This satisfying vegetarian, sweet potato soup is inspired by the flavors of West African peanut soup. We like the added zip of hot green chiles, but they can sometimes be very spicy. It's best to take a small bite first and add them to taste. Try chopped peanuts and scallions for a different garnish. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette.

21 of 40

Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients--boneless, skinless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach and canned beans. It features a simple homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end to add a fresh herb flavor. If you are very pressed for time, you can substitute 3 to 4 tablespoons of a store-bought basil pesto. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 40

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This silky-smooth butternut soup gets a hit of spice from chipotle, cloves and cumin. Adapted from Chef Jesús González, Chef of La Cocina Que Canta at Rancho La Puerta.

23 of 40

Lemony Lentil Soup with Collards

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You don't need broth for this lentil soup recipe—it's rich thanks to the browned bits in the bottom of the pan that meld into the soup, packing it with flavor. Ground coriander, from the seed of the cilantro plant, has a floral, citrusy flavor that dovetails nicely with the lemon.

24 of 40

Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This set-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker recipe simmers away all day so you come home to a warm and healthy dinner the whole family will love. Using bone-in chicken is the key to making rich soup without adding broth.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 40

Curried Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this flavorful soup recipe, sweet potatoes simmer in a quick coconut curry, resulting in a creamy, thick broth punctuated by notes of garlic and ginger. We love peanuts for their inexpensive price and versatile flavor. They're also a great source of protein—1 ounce has 7 grams.

26 of 40

Cauliflower Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A healthy take on a loaded baked potato, this creamy cauliflower soup recipe has all the fixings of a loaded potato (bacon included) but for way fewer calories and carbs. Ready in a quick 20 minutes, this easy soup is great for busy weeknights or can be meal prepped ahead of time to take for lunch or frozen for a ready-made meal down the road. This recipe was originally made for one serving but can be easily adapted to serve more.

27 of 40

Coconut Squash Soup with Seared Scallops

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This butternut squash soup is silky and rich with the addition of coconut milk. Each serving is allowed a couple of seared scallops and is topped with pumpkin seeds, cilantro and lime peel for an added wow-factor.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 40

Leek & Potato Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Our lightened version of classic potato-leek soup uses just a touch of reduced-fat sour cream to make it rich and creamy.

29 of 40

Chicken Tortilla Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Making soups may have once been an all-day affair, but here's a great example of how a few choice convenience products can renovate an old favorite for our modern, hectic lives. Some frozen vegetables, a few canned tomatoes and canned broth—and voila! a Tex-Mex favorite in minutes.

30 of 40

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasting butternut squash with herbs and garlic gives this healthy soup a more complex flavor. A bit of maple syrup adds sweetness, while a splash of apple-cider vinegar brightens up the flavors. This easy recipe requires just 15 minutes of active prep time, but you can cut down on that even more by buying precut squash. Serve with bread and a salad for a light supper, or as a starter for a holiday meal.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 40

Chicken Potpie Soup with Tater Tot Topping

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This bubbling stewlike soup is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken or turkey—and a perfect excuse to indulge in crispy, puffy tater tots. This easy dinner recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

32 of 40

Slow-Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup with Apple

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll never guess this crock pot butternut squash soup recipe is just dump-and-go simple. The boost of flavor from maple syrup, apple-cider vinegar and spices makes all the difference! Serve this light soup as an appetizer for a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast or with a salad and crusty bread for weeknight dinners.

33 of 40

Chunky Cheeseburger Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A spoonful of this tomatoey cheeseburger soup delivers the experience of a perfect burger bite—savory beef and onions, sweet and tangy condiments and, of course, Cheddar and American cheese! This kid-friendly and easy soup is sure to appeal to everyone in your household.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 40

Carrot Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy carrot soup recipe is a great way to use up a bag of carrots that were forgotten in your produce drawer. The carrots cook together with aromatics like onions, garlic and fresh herbs before being puréed into a silky smooth soup that's delicious for dinner or packed up for lunch.

35 of 40

Slow-Cooker Potato Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy slow-cooker potato soup has all the good stuff you love on a potato—including bacon, cheese and scallions. Serve this loaded baked potato soup with a salad for an easy dinner—just 15 minutes of active prep time!—whenever you're in need of some serious comfort food. It would also be fun fare for a casual party. Serve it straight out of the slow cooker and set out bowls of toppings so everyone can assemble their own. You can easily make this soup vegetarian—just use vegetable broth and skip the bacon.

36 of 40