Few foods are as satisfying and simple as soup. From chicken noodle soup to vegetable soup, minestrone to lentil soup, a piping hot bowlful of healthy seasonal ingredients slowly simmered makes us happy no matter the season. Slow-cooker soup recipes are becoming popular and many of our favorite healthy soup recipes below can be made in one, as well as in the standard soup pot. One thing is for sure—no matter what ails you, soup is always a good prescription.
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RecipePasta e Fagioli
This Italian soup–which has as many variations as there are cooks—is chock full of pasta, beans, and vegetables, making it a hearty one-dish meal. -
RecipeSplit Pea Soup
This soup makes a nice hearty starter, especially garnished with croutons, but I also love to serve it with crusty whole wheat bread and call it dinner. -
RecipeBaked Potato & Leek Soup with Cheddar & Bacon
Russet potatoes and leeks star in this hearty bowl of soup. Made two batches and freeze one for a busy weeknight dinner. -
RecipeNew England Clam Chowder
Creamy, hearty New England clam chowder is by far the most popular chowder style (compared to Manhattan or Rhode Island versions). Chowder made with milk or cream began appearing in the early 1800s, and New Englanders claimed it as their own in the 1900s. Many versions use a flour and butter roux to thicken the soup. The roux is necessary if you’re cooking with milk; otherwise, it curdles when boiled. This chowder gets its thick texture from a combination of heavy cream and puréed potatoes. You can crush some of the potatoes against the side of the pot (instead of puréeing the vegetables) for a thinner but equally delicious version. -
RecipeMatzo Ball Soup
To turn this into a more filling meal, you could add cooked chicken, peas, or carrots. But for the classic, less is more. The matzo balls can be cooked ahead and then warmed in the broth before serving. The recipe doubles or triples easily. -
RecipeLobster Bisque
Sherry and lobster are a classic flavor pairing; here, cream sherry lends the bisque a slightly sweet complexity. For richer flavor and more intense color, use a female lobster. (Read the Test Kitchen post to learn how to tell the sex of a lobster). -
RecipeClassic French Onion Soup
This ultimate version of the bistro classic is made with homemade beef broth and caramelized onions. Aged Gruyère is key to getting the traditional bubbling crust of cheese; it’s rich, smooth, and melts easily. -
RecipeClassic Bouillabaisse
This hearty fish stew is a treasure from the South of France. It takes an afternoon to make, but it’s a showstopping all-in-one meal that’s absolutely worth the effort. -
RecipeBeef & Wild Rice Soup with Winter Vegetables
After cooking and eating your way through the holidays, there’s nothing better than settling in with a warming bowl of hearty soup. Thanks in part to its wild rice, this dish has a wonderful nutty, earthy fragrance. It simmers on the stove for up to an hour and serves eight, making it the perfect easy dinner for the family—and your weekend guests. -
RecipeTortellini en Brodo
This comforting dish of stuffed pasta in a hearty broth is a holiday tradition in northern Italy. It’s often served as a first course, followed by a pork or veal roast and lots of winter vegetables. Both the tortellini and the broth can be made ahead. -
RecipeButternut Squash Soup with Apple & Bacon
Smoky bacon, herby sage, and sweet apple give this squash soup layers of flavor. Use the Creamy Vegetable Soups Recipe Maker to create your own velvety soup, or use the Hearty Bean & Vegetable Soup Recipe Maker if chunky soups are more your style. -
RecipeVegetable and Quinoa Soup with Sweet and Hot Roasted Jícama
This zesty soup is perfect on a cold day. When served with the toasted baguette and garlic butter, it makes a satisfying meal. -
RecipeCurried Lentil Soup
Parsnips, fennel, carrots and lentils make up this hearty and healthy stew. -
RecipeChicken & Tortilla Soup
Be sure the broth is very hot so that it heats up the ingredients in the bowl and offers a strong contrast with the cool, smooth chunks of avocado. The spice level is very low—just a slight chile warmth—so if you prefer more of a kick, add more chili powder or use a hotter powder. This recipe is easily doubled. -
RecipeItalian Wedding Soup
Italian wedding soup, or minestra maritata, doesn’t really have much to do with weddings at all. It’s said to get its name from the “marriage” of the ingredients—meat, greens, and noodles or eggs. -
RecipeEgg Drop Soup with Crab, Baby Corn, and Peas
This Chinese restaurant mainstay becomes a light and lovely supper with the addition of crab, baby corn, and peas. -
RecipeClassic Chicken Noodle Soup
When you are looking for a straight-ahead chicken noodle soup, this recipe fits the bill beautifully. Light and soothing, it will please just about everybody.
