The Best Soup Recipes of 2021
Updated: Nov. 23, 2021The best soup recipes of 2021 are in! You'll find classics like chicken noodle soup (yum!) and some other soon-to-be favorites like cheeseburger soup.
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The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado
Psst! Discover our 2021 Recipe of the Year—you’re going to love it.
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Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone
This colorful soup is vegetarian-friendly and full of fresh flavors from a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
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Traditional New England Clam Chowder
I left a cruise ship with a great souvenir…the recipe for this splendid chowder! It’s a traditional soup that stands the test of time.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Quick Golden Squash Soup
This delectable soup feels like fall! Its golden color and rich, satisfying flavor have made it a favorite of mine—which is really amazing because I was convinced I didn’t like squash until I tried this recipe. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa 5 / 50
Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup
This chicken tortilla soup is as good as (if not better than) any I’ve had in a restaurant. I get so many compliments when I serve it: you will, too. —Laura Black Johnson, Largo, Florida 6 / 50
The Best Chicken & Dumplings
Homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It’s one of those types of soup you’ll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona 7 / 50
Beef Lentil Soup
You can prepare this soup as the main course in a hearty lunch or dinner. On cold winter evenings here in New England, I’ve often enjoyed sipping a steaming mugful in front of our fireplacel. —Guy Turnbull, Arlington, Massachusetts 8 / 50
Best-Ever Potato Soup
You’ll be surprised at the taste of this rich and cheesy easy potato soup. It really is the best potato soup recipe, ever. I came up with it after enjoying baked potato soup at one of our favorite restaurants. I added bacon, and we think that makes it even better. —Coleen Morrissey, Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania 9 / 50
Neighborhood Bean Soup
Even though I'm single, I make multiple servings of everything. Actually, this tendency has helped me to get to know my neighbors. A few of them always volunteer to be my guinea pigs whenever I try out a new recipe or two. —Cheryl Trowbridge, Windsor, Ontario 10 / 50
The Best Ever Tomato Soup
Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this tomato soup recipe is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. You can’t beat this homemade version of the classic. — Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist 11 / 50
Quick Ham and Bean Soup
If you like ham and bean soup but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty, quick version will leave you with a satisfied smile. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 12 / 50
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
I tasted a similar soup at Olive Garden and wanted to see if I could re-create it myself at home. Here’s the delicious result! It’s wonderful on a chilly evening. —Jaclynn Robinson, Shingletown, California 13 / 50
Coconut Curry Chicken Soup
Similar to a Vietnamese pho rice noodle soup, this red curry soup packs big flavor and a bit of heat. The crisp raw vegetables help cool things down. —Monnie Norasing, Mansfield, Texas 14 / 50
Cauliflower Cheddar Soup
I created this soup at the last minute for an impromptu ice skating party. It was a hit. —Rosa Renee McEldowney, Jackson, Michigan 15 / 50
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
My husband Eric and I eat dinner together to spend some quality time together. This cheesy broccoli cheddar soup is proof that soup doesn't need to be made in big batches to be good. —Cheryl McRae, West Valley, Utah 16 / 50
Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone
This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon 17 / 50
Cheddar Ham Soup
I knew this ham soup recipe was a keeper when my mother-in-law asked for it! The hearty soup—chock-full of leftover ham, veggies and cheese—is creamy and comforting. And even though the recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, don’t expect it to last more than one meal! —Marty Matthews, Clarksville, Tennessee 18 / 50
Bean Counter Chowder
This hearty chowder is one of our favorite vegetarian dishes. Loaded with beans, noodles and bright herbs, it’s so comforting on a chilly day. —Vivian Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 19 / 50
Slow-Cooker Cordon Bleu Soup
I’ve taken this creamy slow-cooker soup to potlucks and teacher luncheons, and I bring home an empty crock every time. When my son’s school recently created a cookbook, this was the first recipe he asked me to submit, and his teachers were glad he did. —Erica Winkel, Ada, Michigan 20 / 50
Weeknight Taco Soup
This soup turned out delicious on the first try, when I was working without a recipe. You could also add cooked ground beef or cubed stew meat dredged in seasoned flour and browned for a heartier meal. —Amanda Swartz, Goderich, Ontario 21 / 50
Chunky Creamy Chicken Soup
I am a stay-at-home mom who relies on my slow cooker for fast, nutritious meals with minimal cleanup and prep time. I knew this recipe was a hit when I didn’t have any leftovers and my husband asked me to make it again. —Nancy Clow, Mallorytown, Ontario 22 / 50
Pasta Fagioli Soup
My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri 23 / 50
Bratwurst Soup
I came up with this recipe one day when I had some leftover bratwurst. It has been a favorite of my husband’s ever since and is requested whenever the guys are hanging out. —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa 24 / 50
Homemade Turkey Soup
You can make the most of even the smallest pieces of leftover meat on your holiday turkey with this homemade turkey soup. I simmer the bones to get the rich flavor, then easily remove any meat that remains. I add rice, vegetables and cream soup for a hearty turkey soup that’s tasty and economical. —June Sangrey, Manheim, Pennsylvania 25 / 50
Ham and Lentil Soup
This lentil soup with ham is a combination of two soup recipes I came across and adapted. I often serve it for Sunday dinner, making enough so there are leftovers for my husband’s lunch thermos. —Andi Haug, Hendrum, Minnesota 26 / 50
Wild Rice Soup
As the oldest of eight girls growing up on the farm, I began cooking at an early age! This soup—which I first had at my sister’s house—brings me compliments no matter where I serve it. —Elienore Myhre, Balaton, Minnesota 27 / 50
Amish Chicken Corn Soup
Creamed corn and butter make my chicken corn soup homey and rich. This recipe makes a big batch, but the soup freezes well for future meals—one reason why soups are my favorite thing to make. —Beverly Hoffman, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania 28 / 50
Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder
I like to make this smooth, creamy soup when company comes to visit. Its zippy flavor is full of southwestern flair. My family enjoys dipping slices of homemade bread in this chowder to soak up every bite! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas 29 / 50
Texas Black Bean Soup
This hearty meatless stew made with convenient canned items is perfect for spicing up a family gathering on a cool day. It tastes as if it’s made with love and yet it requires so little time and attention. —Pamela Scott, Garland, Texas. 30 / 50
Hearty Potato Soup
Having grown up on a dairy farm in Holland, I love our country life here in Idaho’s “potato country.” My favorite recipe for potato soup originally called for heavy cream and bacon fat, but I’ve trimmed down the recipe. —Gladys DeBoer, Castleford, Idaho 31 / 50
Contest-Winning Black Bean Soup
Black bean soup recipes are among my favorite because they're light and it most of the time don't contain meat. For this recipe, you could add lean beef or chicken for a variation. —Angee Owens, Lufkin, Texas 32 / 50
Quick Cream of Mushroom Soup
My daughter-in-law, a gourmet cook, served this cream of mushroom soup recipe as the first course for a holiday dinner. She received the recipe from her mom and graciously shared it with me. Now I'm happy to share it with my own friends and family. —Anne Kulick, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 33 / 50
Cheesy Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl
This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan 34 / 50
Tuscan Cauliflower Soup
A classic Tuscan soup has lots of potatoes, but I make mine the low-carb way with cauliflower. Turns out, it has a heartier flavor. —Heather Bewley, Bemidji, Minnesota 35 / 50
Grandma’s Pea Soup
My grandma’s pea soup recipe was a family favorite. What makes it different from any other pea soups I have tried is the addition of whole peas, spaetzle-like “dumplings” and sausage. Try it once and you’ll be hooked. —Carole Talcott, Dahinda, Illinois 36 / 50
Creamy Chicken Rice Soup
I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado 37 / 50
Hearty Navy Bean Soup
My family loves navy bean soup! Beans were a commodity you did not survive without in the ’30s. This excellent navy beans and ham soup is a real family favorite of ours and I make it often. —Mildred Lewis, Temple, Texas 38 / 50
Swiss Potato Soup
You have a few options when it comes to fixing this soup—it can also be made in the microwave or started in a slow cooker in the morning. —Krista Musser, Orrville, Ohio 39 / 50
Cauliflower Soup
This cheesy recipe is way tastier than any other cauliflower soup I've tried! We like it with hot pepper sauce for a little extra kick. —Debbie Ohlhausen, Chilliwack, British Columbia 40 / 50
Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup
A good friend made us this rich, comforting, creamy chicken noodle soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah 41 / 50
Dill Chicken Soup
I could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 42 / 50
Cheeseburger Soup
A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn't share its recipe with me. I developed my own, modifying a recipe I already had for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American dish turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin 43 / 50
Ramen Corn Chowder
This tastes so good, as if it simmered for hours, but it’s ready in 15 minutes. I thought the original recipe was lacking in flavor, so I jazzed it up with extra corn and bacon bits. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon 44 / 50
Chickpea Tortilla Soup
This vegan tortilla soup recipe is healthy, filling and family-friendly! We love how hearty and flavorful it is. We like to play around with the different toppings we add each time it’s served. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland 45 / 50
Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup
It doesn’t take long to put bowls of this comforting homemade potato soup on the table. Convenience items such as canned soup and process cheese simplify the preparation. —Tammy Condit, League City, Texas 46 / 50
Grandma's Chicken 'n' Dumpling Soup
I've enjoyed making this rich homemade chicken dumpling soup recipe for more than 40 years. Every time I serve this type of soup, I remember my southern grandma, who was very special to me and was known as an outstanding cook. —Paulette Balda, Prophetstown, Illinois 47 / 50
Split Pea Soup with Ham
For a different spin on split pea soup, try this recipe. The flavor is peppery rather than smoky. —Barbara Link, Rancho Cucamonga, California 48 / 50
Hearty Hash Brown Soup
Once they take a spoonful of this soup chock-full of potatoes and ham, folks will think you fussed. Since it uses frozen hash browns, it’s really simple and fast to make.—Frances Rector, Vinton, Iowa 49 / 50
Contest-Winning Roasted Tomato Soup
Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto.—Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin 50 / 50
Potato, Sausage & Kale Soup
I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals a restaurant version that we love.—Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York
Originally Published: November 18, 2019
CMU Unit
