Soup, please!

Aaaahhh … a steaming bowl of tasty soup on a cold winter evening. It’s one of the best pleasures in life, especially when there are cozy blankets involved. Not only does soup help to keep you warm when the temperatures drop, it’s a great option for a healthy meal the whole family can enjoy. Plus, the leftovers are even better than the original.

When it comes to options for cooking up a big pot of soup, the sky’s the limit. And with all those choices floating around, we thought it might be helpful to nail down a few that you need to try this season. From old-fashioned beef stew to new flavors that will rock your taste buds, we’ve got the lowdown on the coziest dinners around.

Beef stew is a mainstay in many households. It’s easy to make, you can change up ingredients here and there and it pleases a whole crowd of people. Not only that, but it’s also one of the heartiest meals around. This classic beef stew recipe is sure to bring back memories of winters past. If your household has someone on a gluten-free diet, make sure to substitute gluten-free flour for the thickener. Serve with some crusty, freshly baked bread for a meal that will have your whole family sighing with cozy contentment. 

If you’re looking for something with a little southwestern flair, try this delicious soup recipe. Although the original recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily substitute plant-based meat or beans to make this one fit into your Meatless Monday lineup. Sour cream and cilantro are always a welcome addition, as well as some tortilla chips crumbled on top. Enjoy!

Want to taste one of Italy’s staples? Try Pappa al Pomodoro, a stew that transforms stale, crusty bread into a delicious comfort food. You can play around with the recipe, using fresh tomatoes if you can find them. One word of caution: take care when adding the bread, because it quickly soaks up the soup. Italians enjoy the creaminess of the soggy bread, but you can add it closer to the end of cooking to keep it a bit firmer. Top it with parmesan cheese and don’t forget those olives.

This one screams wintertime. If you like the flavors of cheese and broccoli together (and who doesn’t?) you’ll love a steaming bowl of this soup. Served with some fresh bread, it’s sure to put a smile on the faces of everyone at your table.

Would we be a recipe blog if we didn’t include this classic? Everyone needs a good chicken soup recipe up their sleeve for the occasional winter cold or chilly night. This one is simple to make and offers a huge reward: leftovers the next night mean you won’t need to cook again. If you and your family are looking to mix things up, check out this Thai version for a whole different flavor profile.

This one boasts not only a delicious flavor but also the health benefits of carrots and ginger combined. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is known to boost the immune system and ginger is one of those spices that comes in handy for just about everything—including digestion, runny noses, and more. Easy to make with plenty of room for a side salad or grilled cheese sandwich, we call this one a weeknight winner.

No matter what you’re craving, there’s probably a soup for that. Grab your favorite ingredients (or a recipe from our little list of inspiration) and go to town mixing up a pot of delicious, nutritious, and warming soup this season!