With winter weather upon us and spring still months away, nothing warms the body and soul quite like a bowl of soup. And while chicken noodle may be the first to come to mind, there are many different kinds of soup worth sipping.
We’re counting down six of our favorite soups perfect for keeping winter’s chill at bay.
1. Italian Wedding Soup
If you grew up with an Italian grandmother, this soup may be a familiar one from holidays and special occasions.
And while you may have thought your grandmother slaved over the stove for hours making this flavorful favorite, this recipe from Food Network’s Giada De Laurentiis involves just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time.
One tip? Make sure to have plenty of parmesan cheese on hand. In addition to the heavenly egg-cheese bits in the soup, a garnish of parmesan deepens the flavor when sprinkled on as a garnish.
2. Gingered Butternut Squash Soup with Spicy Pecan Cream
This velvety smooth, sweet-but-not-too-sweet soup from Dean Fearing for Food and Wine offers a tasty twist on traditional butternut thanks to the incorporation of zesty ginger, but what takes it to a whole new luxurious level is the dollop of whipped cream on top.
Pecans, meanwhile, add a toothsome crunch.
While this recipe is fairly labor intensive — you’ll need a food processor, stand mixer and blender — the final product is well worth the investment.
3. Quick Vietnamese Beef Pho
While it takes hours to simmer a full-on pho broth, this recipe from The Kitchn comes awfully close to the real deal thanks to a store-bought broth infused with aromatics, including ginger, onions, soy sauce, fish sauce, and some whole spices.
If you’re looking for your kids to expand their culinary comfort zones, the interactive nature of this meal is a great way to encourage them to experiment with toppings like bean sprouts, wedges of lime, torn bits of basil and other garnishes.
And remember: the beef cooks in the broth so you’ll need a very sharp knife to cut the thinnest slices possible; freeze it first for 15 minutes or so to make it easier.
4. Two-Bean Soup With Kale
Hearty doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. This vegetarian, heart-healthy option from Cooking Light is the perfect soup for days when nutrition is on the menu thanks to plenty of vegetables, seven (yes, seven!) cups of kale, and fiber-rich beans.
If you like to keep things spicy, a dash of red pepper flakes is the perfect finishing touch.
While most people think of comfort food as being heavy, creamy, buttery and beyond, this soup offers all of the feel with none of the fat.
5. Spicy Chicken-Corn Chowder
But a little cream never hurt anyone, either.
Tender chicken, sweet corn, and crispy bacon are just a few of the harmonious ingredients in this indulgent meal. It does have quite a kick, thanks to cayenne pepper and optional jalapenos, too.
Have trouble getting your kids to warm up to soup? This one’s chock-full of the stuff they love.
6. Spiced Chickpea and Tomato Soup
What do you get when you cross classic tomato soup with the earthiness of pureed chickpeas and the rich depth of roasted red peppers?
A new cold weather go-to that you’ll return to again and again.
Garlic and red chiles add heat, while sour cream offers a cooling contrast.
Last minute guests arriving for lunch?
You’re in luck with this recipe: most of the ingredients can be plucked straight from your pantry to make this satisfying soup.
The best part? A total cooking time of 25 minutes makes this the perfect 30-minute meal — with a few minutes to spare!
Some days, nothing hits the spot quite like a steaming hot bowl of delicious goodness. These six soups are the perfect way to add some warmth to a winter day.