Classic French Onion Soup
French onion soup—a staple
French recipe—is the ultimate in comfort food: exploding with flavor and covered in gooey melted cheese. If you don't have oven-safe soup ramekins, add the bread and cheese to the bowl first, then ladle the hot soup on top so that the cheese melts.
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Satisfying Tomato SoupIt wouldn't feel right making it all the way through fall without eating at least one
grilled cheese sandwich alongside a bowl of tomato soup for dipping.
Hearty Beef and Barley SoupThis hearty beef and barley soup is a favorite dinner all year round, but come fall, its familiar taste feels more comforting than ever. Though this is a meal all unto itself, it's nice to eat with warm buttered
brown bread on the side.
Tex-Mex ChiliNeed to satisfy big, hearty appetites? Look no further than this Tex-Mex recipe with beef stew meat, plenty of beans and tasty spices. Enjoy your chili with a serious kick? Chop up one or two chipotle peppers packed in adobo and stir in while the chili simmers.
Lemony Chicken Noodle SoupThis isn't Grandma's chicken soup, but it's comforting in a whole new way. The lemon juice gives this easy soup enough zip to make it interesting, and dried basil adds a pop of bright flavor without the need for fresh herbs.
Pretty Autumn SoupCarrots, squash and sweet potato combine to make a healthy and colorful soup that, true to its name, is quite pretty! Swirl the top with sour cream (or an appropriate
sour cream substitute), and sprinkle with sesame seeds, minced chives, finely chopped nuts, crispy fried shallots or anything else you and your family might like.
Want more healthy soup recipes? Try these
low-carb soups for chilly nights.
Grandmother’s Southern Chicken ‘n’ DumplingsThis homespun recipe is a classic example of how to feed a large family with a single chicken. (And plenty of
dumplings made from scratch!) Save this recipe for a chilly weekend when you have plenty of time to make hand-rolled dumplings from scratch and let the soup simmer on the stove all day.
In the mood for more classics? Try these
old-fashioned soups, stews and chilis.
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Mulligatawny Soup
Mulligatawny soup is a comforting dish that marries both Indian and British ingredients, and it's sure to tantalize your tastebuds. It's fragrant, creamy, mildly spicy and simply incredible.
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White Bean Chicken ChiliWhite bean chili is a great alternative to the classic red. It has a little heat, but it's not overpowering. Serve this with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas.
Taco Twist SoupThe fun, family-friendly twist in this taco soup is the spiral pasta, which does more than look good. This pasta shape captures bits of tomatoes, beans and other soup ingredients, making sure that every single bite is hearty, flavorful and filling.
Cheesy Wild Rice SoupIt takes some time to
cook wild rice, so to get a pot of soup on the table on busy fall nights, this recipe uses a quick-cooking boxed wild and long grain rice mix instead. To save even more time, this semi-homemade meal is built with a base of can of condensed cream of potato soup.
Upstate Minestrone SoupThis vegetable-packed recipe hails from upstate New York, which has a long tradition of Italian-American comfort food recipes like
chicken riggies and
spiedis. Serve this soup alongside a loaf of cheesy
Parmesan garlic bread for dipping!
Vegan Squash Soup with Naan CroutonsThis butternut squash soup is so full of flavor that you won't miss the meat or dairy. The added can of pumpkin helps make the soup creamy and smooth, while the coconut milk adds a light sweetness. If you can't find naan at your local supermarket, pita chips work just as well.
Autumn Pumpkin ChiliThe mellow taste of ground turkey works wonderfully in this fall-inspired chili, allowing the flavor of canned pumpkin to shine a bit brighter. Chili powder adds a nice touch of smokiness; you can add more if you want extra heat, or stir in other warm spices like cumin or cinnamon for extra oomph.
Homemade Chicken and Rice SoupThis basic recipe for chicken and rice soup hits the spot on cold days, and it's easy to adapt to your personal tastes. Try adding chopped leafy greens for extra flavor (and nutrition), or using another
ready-made spice blend in place of the poultry seasoning.
Cream of Cauliflower SoupBy using frozen cauliflower instead of fresh, this lightly cheesy soup goes from the stove to the table in less than 10 minutes. Even better, the only real prep you need to do is chop up some green onions—once those have been sauteed in a bit of butter, simply add the rest of the ingredients, simmer, stir and serve!
Corn Chowder with DumplingsThis is a spiced-up version of comforting corn chowder, getting an extra kick from
canned chipotle peppers. The addition of easy-to-make cheddar and cornmeal dumplings turns this familiar dish into something special, and it tastes spectacular.
Baked Potato SoupThis creamy fall soup is not only delicious, but also scaled down to make an amount that's perfect for two—or served in cups as a side dish for
hot sandwiches.
Spiced Split Pea SoupA hint of curry adds the perfect amount of kick to this family-pleasing fall soup. Just assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker and go about your day while it cooks. Serve with a basket of pita bread that's been warmed in the microwave or oven, then brushed with
flavored butter.
Cheesy Broccoli Soup in a Bread BowlThis creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera! For a full-on copycat experience, serve this soup in homemade bread bowls; even if you choose not to bake your bread from scratch, our
bread bowl recipe has detailed instructions on how to cut a storebought loaf of bread into an edible vessel for soup.
Sausage and Spinach Tortellini SoupOnce you've got the method for this easy soup down, you can switch things up to make the recipe all your own! Swap out the pork sausage for chicken or turkey sausage, or even ground beef. Try any variety of tortellini—or use ravioli. For even more flavor, add a can of chopped or pureed tomatoes along with the broth.
Curried Squash SoupCayenne pepper gives a little kick to this pretty curried squash soup. It can be made several days ahead to fit a busy schedule, then reheated as needed, making it ideal for a big-batch dinner meal plan. Enjoy the leftovers as a work-from-home lunch, or double the recipe and have it for dinner twice in one week!
White Chili with a KickStore-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also
make rotisserie chicken at home. Serve it with any toppings you like putting on chili, tacos or burritos; like sour cream, green onions, shredded cheese, sliced avocados or a zippy
homemade salsa.
Slow-Cooked Lasagna SoupIn the mood for lasagna, but not in the mood for all the work involved? Instead of making this layered and baked pasta the old-fashioned way, whip up this easy slow cooker soup that uses all the right ingredients to deliver the same great taste in a fraction of the time.
Turkey Wild Rice SoupTwo Minnesota delicacies, turkey and wild rice, are the stars of this sensational soup. Be prepared to serve seconds! —Terri Holmgren, Swanville, Minnesota
Pumpkin-Coconut SoupThe combo of coconut milk and
hard winter squash like pumpkin is popular all over the world, from the Caribbean to Africa and Southeast Asia. Once you taste this simple vegan pumpkin soup, you'll understand why.
Lemony Mushroom-Orzo Soup for TwoThis is a versatile soup that works as an appetizer or as a side for a sandwich lunch. It's loaded with mushrooms and orzo pasta—and the lemon delivers on its subtle flavor.
Firehouse ChiliNeed to feed a crowd? This recipe comes from a real firehouse cook, who would make this chili for 10 men. If it can fill up a house of extra-hungry firefighters, it'll fill up everyone in your house, too!
Roasted Autumn Vegetable SoupRoasting sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips brings out their best features. Blend them, and you have a warm, healthy soup for a cool fall night. This recipe also makes a great first course before a
warm and cozy fall dinner.
Chicken Gnocchi Pesto SoupThis semi-homemade soup is a real stunner! Even though it tastes like something that took all day to cook, it comes together in almost no time at all thanks to jarred Alfredo sauce, ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken and
premade pesto.
Carrot Soup with Orange & TarragonA pretty orange color, a delicious hint of citrus and a garden-fresh flavor make this soup a requested dish at many of my celebrations. Try sprinkling individual bowls with fresh tarragon before serving; here's
how to chop tarragon and other fresh herbs.
Roasted Parsnip and Pear SoupAlthough pears and
parsnips may seem like an odd combination, the pears bring out the natural sweetness of the parsnips in this autumn soup. Don't skip the spiced pear topping; it's the best part!
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato SoupYou can top this creamy soup with anything your heart desires, so it's a great make-ahead dish that you can enjoy several days in a row without ever having to eat it the same way twice. You can substitute fresh onions and celery in this recipe if you prefer, but using the dried version makes it easy to throw together this
slow cooker soup on a weekday morning.
Quick Golden Squash SoupIt can be difficult to
safely peel and cut whole winter squash, so if you're not confident in your
knife skills (or if you simply don't feel like doing it), spend a little more on precut butternut squash to make this quick fall soup. The shortcut is well worth it.
Chicken & Broccoli Rabe Soup with TortelliniWith chicken, pasta and a bold tomato broth, this hearty soup is like a big hug in a bowl. If you have difficulty finding bitter broccoli rabe in your local supermarket, substitute another
dark leafy green, like kale or collard greens.
Turkey Gnocchi SoupFor an Italian-inspired twist on classic turkey noodle soup, swap out egg noodles for pillowy
potato gnocchi! There's so many different ways to make this soup recipe your own; try adding a can of crushed tomatoes, doubling down on the Parmesan cheese or stirring in a heap of chopped fresh basil or
homemade pesto.
Simple Salmon ChowderFor this chowder, you can purchase
fresh or frozen salmon, cook it at home, then add it to the chowder as directed. As a quick option, you can use canned salmon, cooked salmon from the prepared foods case of the deli or even smoked salmon fillet.
Mushroom Corn ChowderChock-full of veggies, ham and cheese in every spoonful, this thick, creamy chowder will take the chill off even the nippiest of fall evenings. Serve it with warm crusty bread; if you'd like to make a homemade loaf, try this recipe for
Dutch oven-baked bread.
Creamy Vegetable ChowderLooking for a healthy, hearty fall recipe that's easy to meal prep? This rich, comforting soup recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. You can lower the fat content by using turkey bacon, vegetable broth and skim milk. It's delicious either way.
Moroccan Cauliflower and Almond SoupTrying to reduce the amount of meat and dairy in your diet? This healthy North African-spiced cauliflower and almond soup tastes so blissfully rich and decadent, no one will guess (or care!) that it's 100% vegan.
Try these
low-sodium soups if you're looking for more healthy soup recipes.
Enchilada Chicken SoupCanned soups, enchilada sauce and a few other convenience items make this chicken enchilada soup recipe super simple. Use mild green chilies if they suit your taste, or try a spicier variety to give the soup more kick. For added crunch, top each bowl with a handful of
homemade tortilla chips.
Cabbage Barley SoupCabbage is affordable, plentiful, highly nutritious and delicious, making it just about perfect for hearty fall soups! In addition to barley, this cabbage soup recipe also contains
lentils, which means lots of flavor, fiber and protein.
Chicken Wild Rice SoupThis recipe is popular in Minnesota, where wild rice grows in abundance and is popular in recipes. For even more authentic Midwestern flavor, this soup contains another ingredient that's common in Midwestern cooking: a can of cream of mushroom soup!
Quick Ham and Bean SoupThis recipe is a great way to use up leftover ham. If you don't want to wait for leftovers (or aren't planning to roast a ham anytime soon), use ham steaks from your supermarket's meat department or ask the deli counter to cut you extra-thick slices of your favorite brand of ham.
Pressure-Cooker Easy Pork PosoleLooking for a meal in a bowl? Sit down to a Mexican classic full of cubed pork, sliced sausage,
hominy and more. It all goes into the pressure cooker, so you can come home at night and dinner is ready in a flash.
Red Curry Carrot SoupWith its mix of delicious colors, textures and flavors, this easy Thai-inspired soup made with instant ramen noodles is something special. The addition of frozen meatballs makes it hearty enough to serve as a light entree.
Butternut Squash ChiliYou can add squash to chili for a tasty take on the classic recipe. To
find a ripe butternut squash at the store or farmers market, look for one that's hard and heavy. The skin should have a matte finish with a dark beige color—no green streaks.
After enjoying these fall soups, enjoy a fall dessert with any of these
fall baking recipes.
