Winter soups are lunch and dinnertime staples that add warmth and nourishment to cold, dreary, snowy days. Winter soup recipes are a hearty meal unto themselves (although you can never go wrong with a bread bowl, too). We’ve rounded up the best winter soups out there — including some copycat winter soups from our favorite restaurants.
Who doesn’t love a lunch of soup, salad, and breadsticks at the Olive Garden? Featuring spicy Italian sausage, rich cream, and soft potatoes, recreate this so-popular dish at home with this recipe that takes less time to prep than would take you to drive to your nearest restaurant.
(Photo Source: Damn Delicious)
If you’re a vegetarian or creamy soups aren’t part of your New Year’s resolution, whip up this winter vegetable soup that’s low on calories but big on flavor. It’s a fun way to try those root vegetables you’re always seeing at the grocery store but never know quite what to do with. Plus, with fresh rosemary, sage, and parsley, it’s guaranteed to make your house smell amazing!
(Photo Source: The Cook’s Pyjamas)
This Chili’s staple comes to life at home with authentic Mexican ingredients like masa mix, Mexican-style tomatoes, diced green chilies, black beans, and enchilada sauce. Complete with colorful tortilla strips and gooey, melty cheese, this spicy recipe is sure to cut through the coldest of days.
(Photo Source: Jamie Cooks It Up)
Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, bacon and eggs — these are a few of life’s greatest food combos. And especially in the winter, tomato soup and grilled cheese is an integral part of this list. This tomato soup recipe provides the perfect consistency for dipping and is sure to please picky eaters in your household.
(Photo Source: Bon Appetit)
If you live near a Panera, you know their take on this Northwoods classic is a must-try. This recipe saves time and boosts flavor by using packaged wild rice and seasoning. (Psst: Crusty bread is this soup’s ultimate carb companion.)
(Photo Source: Gal on a Mission)
The only thing better than melted cheese? More melted cheese — and French onion soup never fails to deliver. If you’ve been intimidated by the thought of making this restaurant classic at home, this guide from The Kitchn breaks it down for you.
(Photo Source: The Kitchn)
If you’re used to chicken noodle soup from a can, this creamy version is a total game-changer. Nurse a cold or just create warmth with fresh chicken, hearty bites of vegetables, and a swirl of decadent cream. The addition of corn adds yet another fun, unexpected twist for store-bought devotees.
(Photo Source: Natasha’s Kitchen)
Want comfort food without the calories? Look no further than egg drop soup! Perfect for nights when it’s too cold to even pick up takeout, this recipe comes together in just ten minutes. Bonus: It’s a ton of fun to make! Kids (and, let’s be honest, you too) will love watching the eggs cook up and form ribbons in the saucepan. Get kids in on the fun with a DIY apron.
(Photo Source: Gimme Some Oven)
If your traditional broccoli cheese soup recipe is feeling a bit tired, this version is full of must-try textures and flavors. Sharp white cheddar, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and bottled beer add zip and bite without overpowering, while premade hashbrown potatoes and crisp bacon add heartiness to every spoonful. (PS: It’s also the ultimate football-watching recipe. Grab some football-theme paper bowls for easy clean-up.)
(Photo Source: Better Homes and Gardens)
If you can’t imagine eating another fatty meal post-holiday, but also can’t bring yourself to eat a salad while the snow flies (neither can we!), look no further than this lean, fiber-filled chili. Keep leftovers interesting with an array of toppings such as sour cream, avocados, and crumbled tortilla chips.
(Photo Source: Ambitious Kitchen)
Stuck indoors? Combat cabin fever by taking your tastebuds on a flavor adventure! This thai curry soup hits all the hallmarks of a winning winter soup: warming, savory, creamy, and filling.
(Photo Source: Feasting Not Fasting)
Whip up this decadent dish after work with the help of premade tortellini and a store-bought rotisserie chicken (or omit the chicken for a vegetarian-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on flavor). We also love how its healthy dose of spinach helps sneak greens into kids’ diets!
(Photo Source: Little Spice Jar)
Sometimes, life calls for a soup so cheesy it can double as a dip. And sometimes, you need that soup to pretty much make itself. That soup is Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup. We can’t think of anything more appropriate for a cold winter’s day!
(Photo Source: Life in the Lofthouse)