When home during the day, I love to make a pot of soup. It smells amazing while simmering, and when dinner rolls around my meal is prepared. Typically I have leftovers, and they make a delicious lunch the next day. This week, I wanted to share hearty soups that work for a meal in case you’re looking for easy recipes.
“So quick, so easy, so delicious,” thinks Wanda Grundmann (Kenner, LA) of her Mexican Corn Soup. “Be prepared to hear a lot of ‘mmmm’s’ at the dinner table.”
Thick, creamy, and full of flavor Wanda’s recipe is a unique tortilla soup. What’s unusual is corn tortillas are cooked down like dumplings and add a nice corn flavor.
There isn’t much meat in it but it’s thick like a chowder. The seasoning combination gives the soup a Southwest feel.
“This soup has become a family favorite during chilly days,” shares Tammy Sullivan (Hixson, TX). “Serve with crackers or a piece of French bread, and you have filled your belly with a hearty goodness meal.”
Easy to prepare, Tammy’s Hearty Beef With Barley Soup is delicious on a cold night. Filled with fork-tender chunks of meat, it’s almost like a beef stew.
Overall the soup is savory, but carrots add a bit of sweetness. Be sure to serve French bread as Tammy suggests, so you don’t leave a drop behind in the bowl.
Need a quick and easy meal idea? Try Debbie Kirk’s (Citrus Heights, CA) Vegetable Tortellini Soup.
Debbie thinks it’s a “fast and hearty soup,” and she’s right, thanks to the store-bought cheese tortellini.
Filled with carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes, and spinach, it’s loaded with fresh veggies that, along with the pasta, will fill you up. Italian herbs, garlic powder, and oregano add an Italian flare.
Another Italian soup is Terri Slotterback’s (Lester, PA) Real Italian Minestrone Soup.
“My aunt got this recipe from an Italian chef in Center City Philly way back in the 50s,” explains Terri. “My family loves it.”
Caramelizing the onions with pork deepens the soup’s flavor by adding a touch of sweetness. Made with carrots, celery, cabbage, chickpeas, and other goodies, I love the different textures in this minestrone.
Broken spaghetti soaks up the flavor of the soup. Adding a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan at the end is a must.
The next time you’re not feeling well, try Jessica Mills’ (Dover, DE) Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
“I have always been a fan of homemade soup, and chicken noodle has always been one of my favorites,” reveals Jessica. “It’s not only super yummy, but you can’t eat one bowl full. It always has you coming back for seconds!”
I can see why Jessica’s family loves this soup. It’s filled with chunks of chicken breasts and lots of egg noodles – just how I like my chicken soup. Perfectly salty and satisfying, it’s an old-fashioned soup recipe just like grandma used to make.
When unsure what to eat, a big bowl of soup is a delicious way to warm up on a cold day. If none of these hearty soups that work for a meal suit your mood, we have an entire soup recipe collection where I guarantee you’ll find something tasty. Happy Pinching!