Now that it’s Fall, it’s officially soup season. Yay! I love cozy, hearty soups.
Our Coziest Soups
My favorite way to warm up on a cold and rainy (or snowy) night is to curl up in front of a cozy fire with my husband Robert and a steamy bowl of flavorful soup. I’m sharing 8 of my favorite soup ideas for dinner. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, these delectable soups are comfort food at their best. From Italian Sausage, Spinach and Orzo Soup to Artichoke and Chicken Chowder, there’s a soup to fill you up and keep you warm all week long!
What to Eat with Soups for Dinner?
Often main dish soups only need a bit of bread added on the side to round out the meal; sometimes I also add a salad. Here are a few suggestions:
- Bread:
- Italian Popovers – my favorite side to serve with most any soup!
- Parmesan Buttermilk Cornbread – my second favorite
- Herb Quick Bread
- Anise Bread
- Purchased baguette or other crusty bread
Hearty Soups Recipes FAQs
A hearty soup is one that’s full of flavor and very filling. To amp up the flavor in a boring soup, add herbs, mushrooms, onions, carrots, tomatoes or garlic. To make a soup more filling, add one or more robust ingredients like beans, legumes, potatoes, pasta or rice.
I personally love soup for dinner, especially on colder days. It’s cozy, easy to prepare and often I can have dinner on the table in less than an hour. Hearty soups are the best choice if you’re making soup your main dish – you want something filling, that won’t leave everyone wanting more.
A hearty soup is one that’s full of flavor and also filling – that can be a whole meal in itself.
Italian Sausage Soup with Spinach and Orzo
Hearty Italian Sausage, Spinach and Orzo Soup is a cozy combination of flavors that that result in a phenomenal one-pot meal to please even your pickiest of eaters. My husband is half Italian, and this dish ranks at the tippy top of his soup list! Plus, it’s easy to prepare from items usually on hand (with limited chopping), freezable and delicious the next day, too.
Indian Mulligatawny Soup
Indian Mulligatawny Soup is a super-flavorful chicken and rice soup with the intriguing additions of curry powder, carrots, apple and thyme.
Southwest Chicken Soup with Avocado-Cheese Garnish
Southwestern Chicken Soup has a slightly spicy, uber-flavorful broth combined with tender chicken, onion, peppers, garlic, lots of spices (cumin, chili powder, coriander), corn and a surprise ingredient – hominy! It’s finished with an Avocado-Cheese garnish that both adds color and ensures this scrumptious soup will satisfy any appetite.
Corn and Chicken Chowder
Warm, creamy, thick and chunky, Corn and Chicken Chowder is the ultimate comfort food. My healthier version of this classic dish is still full of flavor, but has less calories, fat – and Weight Watchers’ points. Plus, it’s super easy to prepare with pantry ingredients.
Tortellini Soup with Zucchini, Carrots, and Sausage
Super easy to prepare, this hearty soup is overflowing with both delicious flavors and textures.
Creamy Chicken Artichoke Soup
A Cheesecake Factory copycat, Creamy Chicken Artichoke Soup with Mushrooms is the perfect fall soup recipe: rich, ultra comforting and filling. Mild, nutty artichokes, meaty chicken, earthy mushrooms, sweet peppers, onions, garlic and potatoes are simmered in a white wine-broth-thyme mixture, then finished off with creamy milk and sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Who doesn’t like Chicken Noodle Soup? I know it always makes me feel better, any time of year. Rich chicken broth is combined with carrots, celery, onion, fresh herbs – and of course chicken and noodles. (Tips for making perfect Chicken Noodle Soup are included above the recipe.)
Split Pea Soup with Country Ham
This Split Pea Soup has a deep, rich, smoky flavor – due primarily to the addition of Country Ham. The peas break down in the cooking process, resulting in the perfect balance of creamy and chunky consistency!
Enjoy!!
I made the Indian Mulligatawny soup this past weekend along with two loaves of potato bread. It was cold, rainy (and some snow) here in Maine, and this delicious soup was absolutely perfect!