Winter is the best season to have a hot, comforting bowl of soup. Homemade soup recipes are a form of magic in which not only is your belly filled, but your soul is also warmed. If you are searching for winter comfort foods, healthy soups, or simple cooking ideas, we have you covered. From slow cooker recipes to meal prep ideas in an instant, all the recipes would surely be the new hit cold season dish.
Why Are Homemade Soup Recipes the Best Winter Options?
Homemade soup recipes will warm a person up during winter because they are quite versatile, quick to make, and can be prepared in whatever flavor one enjoys. Not to be forgotten is meal prep: warm food in your hands! Of course, the winter comfort food option includes something for all, from rich, creamy soups to heartier, chunkier stews to pale broths.
1. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
With every winter, bowls of old-fashioned chicken noodle soup scream comfort food. Not only is the recipe simple to make, but it also tastes good.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup egg noodles
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onion. Sauté for 5 minutes or until tender.
Add garlic and sauté for a minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and boil.
Add egg noodles and shredded chicken. Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
Season with pepper and salt. Garnish with fresh parsley prior to serving.
This homemade soup recipe is a winter comfort food staple that’s both healthy and satisfying.
2. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
If you’re looking for healthy soups that are also indulgent, this creamy tomato basil soup is a must-try. It’s rich and flavorful and pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) of crushed tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Melt butter in a big pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until it wilts, about 5 minutes.
Sauté garlic for 1 minute longer.
Pour crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth into the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
Blend soup with an immersion blender until smooth.
Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot and enjoy this simple cooking recipe, perfect for winter.
3. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
During busy days when you want a rich meal without much hassle, slow cooker meals are the best option. This beef stew is one of our winter comfort foods that is rich and yummy.
Ingredients:
2 pounds of beef stew meat, cubed
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
3 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Add the beef, carrots, potatoes, and onion to the slow cooker.
Mix the beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour over the slow cooker ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Serve hot and appreciate this easy cooking recipe that's perfect for meal planning.
4. Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is among the healthy soups that are healthy and delicious at the same time. It's creamy, flavorful, and perfect for a cold winter night.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup coconut milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions:
Warm olive oil in a big pot on a medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring every so often, until softened for approximately 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and sauté another minute.
Add the butternut squash and vegetable broth. Bring to boiling, then lower the heat and simmer until the squash is tender for about 20 minutes.
Puree soup with an immersion blender until it is smooth.
Add pepper and salt seasonings and coconut milk, stirring in.
Garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme when serving.
This homemade soup is a cold-weather comfort food that's simple and healthy to prepare.
5. Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is a healthy and filling choice that is perfect for winter. It's high in protein and fiber, so it's a great meal choice for maintaining health.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 sliced carrots
2 chopped celery stalks
2 minced garlic cloves
1 cup rinsed lentils
6 cups vegetable broth
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Simmer until soft, about 5 minutes.
Then add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
Add lentils, vegetable broth, tomatoes, cumin, and paprika. Lower the heat and simmer gently until the lentils become tender- about 30 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fresh parsley.
The mouth-melting recipe will surely satisfy your taste buds. This is a recipe for a winter soup that is quick and healthy food.
6. Slow-cooker chicken tortilla soup
This tortilla chicken soup is yet another of many fantastic slow-cooker dinner recipes. It's delicious, very easy to prepare, and would work great for meal prep.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 ounces) corn, drained
1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Tortilla chips and shredded cheese for serving
Instructions:
Add the chicken, onion, garlic, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, and chili powder to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Shred the chicken and return it to the soup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese and tortilla chips.
This easy recipe to prepare is a cold-season comfort food perfect for busy days.
7. Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is an extremely old Italian soup that's not only tasty for soups, but it's a meal in itself. It's filled with vegetables, beans, and pasta, so it's a hard meal to beat.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
1 cup small pasta
1 can (14 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 zucchini, chopped
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium heat. Saute onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until they are tender, about 5 minutes.
Saute the garlic for an additional minute.
Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, pasta, kidney beans, zucchini, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer until the pasta is all done, about 10-12 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve over basil.
Homemade soup recipe is a winter-weather comfort food that is healthy and simple to make.
Final Thoughts
Homemade soup recipes are among the best foods to keep you warm and comfy in the chill of winter. Be it a bowl of comforting chicken noodle soup, creamy tomato basil soup, or slow-cooker hearty fare, everyone prefers something. Their taste aside, these winter comfort foods are healthy and easy to make. Gather all the ingredients, wear the necessary kitchen attire, and relish a pot of scrumptious soup that warms the belly. Enjoy your choice of recipe and make this winter memorable!