You likely have ingredients to make a delicious soup sitting in your pantry right now. Not only are soups hearty, filling, and comforting, but they’re also versatile and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Whether you’re craving something savory like Italian wedding soup, cheesy like broccoli cheddar, or classic like potato soup, we’ve got you covered with these delicious recipes that are perfect for any meal.
Italian Wedding Soup: This classic Italian soup is a made from savory meatballs, vegetables, and flavorful broth. To make it, start by mixing ground beef or turkey with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Roll the mixture into small meatballs and brown them in a pot with olive oil. Feel free to omit the meatballs to make this a vegetarian-friendly soup. Add diced carrots, celery, onion, and chicken (or vegetable) broth, and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Stir in cooked pasta or rice and fresh spinach until wilted. Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top. With soup being so flexible, you can add or subtract any ingredient you’d like to make it your own!
Broccoli Cheddar Soup: Cheesy, creamy, and packed with nutritious broccoli, this soup is a fan-favorite for all ages. Start by sautéing chopped onion and minced garlic in butter until softened. Dice any type of potato you have on hand, then add the diced potatoes and broccoli florets to the pot, along with chicken or vegetable broth. Simmer until the vegetables are fork-tender, then use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (if you do not have an immersion blender, you can use a potato masher or leave it chunky). Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
Potato Soup: Potato soup is hearty and comforting – a timeless classic that’s perfect for cozy nights in. Begin by dicing an onion. Sauté it in a pot with butter and minced garlic until translucent. Add peeled and diced potatoes to the pot, along with chicken or vegetable broth. Simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, then use a potato masher to partially mash the soup until creamy, leaving some chunks for texture. Stir in heavy cream or milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If you have fresh herbs on hand, you can garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
No matter which soup you choose to make, you can’t go wrong with these simple and delicious recipes. Soups are not only easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, but they also provide a large number of servings, making them perfect for leftovers or feeding a crowd.
While you’re enjoying a warm bowl of soup, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming Empty Bowls event this month. It’s an opportunity to support our mission of helping those experiencing food insecurity while tasting delicious soups provided by our wonderful soup donors. You’ll bring home a one-of-a-kind handcrafted bowl made by local artisans to enjoy your next batch of soup from.
So next time you’re in need of some simple comfort food, whip up a quick batch of homemade soup and let its hearty goodness nourish both body and soul.
