Soups are one of the most comforting and versatile meals you can make. The combinations of flavors and ingredients are endless. Soups can come together quickly with a few ingredients, or they can be complex, multi-hour affairs. Here at Food Hero, we try to give easy options that are also flavorful, nutritious and warming.
Soups are easy to fill with protein and vegetables and are great one-pot meals. They’re also a great kid-friendly option. Many soup recipes make enough to enjoy as leftovers; in fact, soups, especially stews and chilis, often taste even better the next day. As always when saving leftovers, refrigerate any leftovers within two hours to keep everyone safe. For more information, check out our “Keep Food Safe” issue of Food Hero Monthly.
Ready to start cooking? Here are some cozy and healthy soup recipes to try this fall:
Cozy and Healthy Soup Recipes
Starring corn, beans and summer squash, this simple and flavorful soup brings a taste of summer to dark rainy days. Developed by the OSU Indigenous Peoples Workgroup, it combines pantry ingredients with fresh vegetables. It comes together in under an hour—perfect for weeknight dinners.
With only six ingredients, this soup is as simple as they come. The only prep needed is chopping an onion and opening a few cans, making this another great option for busy weeknights. Check out our Food Hero Monthly on freezing vegetables for tips on how to prep and freeze onions to make the process even faster!
Autumn Squash Bisque with Ginger
This light and flavorful soup features seasonal squash and pears, offering a subtle sweetness. It’s a bit more involved to prepare, but the results are worth it! This recipe works best if you have a blender to create a smooth soup. Make it a meal with a side of hearty whole-grain bread. Try it with our Whole-Wheat Yogurt Rolls.
Full of pasta, beans and other vegetables, this hearty soup makes a great vegetarian meal. It’s kid-approved and easy to adapt with whatever ingredients you have on hand. For extra protein, add your favorite cooked lean ground meat.
This version of the traditional Eastern European soup offers complex flavors and striking color from the beets. For quicker prep, chop your vegetables and store them in the fridge up to three days ahead of time. The beans in the soup provide delicious plant protein. The recipe makes 12 cups, so it’s great for a large group or for leftovers!
Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth
Do you have leftover vegetable peels, ends or leaves? Save them in your freezer for broth! Our Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth works great with all the recipes here and almost any Food Hero recipe that calls for broth or stock. It’s a great way to reduce food waste and the flavor is easy to customize based on the veggies and herbs you use. You can even make it in a slow cooker! Check out the recipe notes for tips on what vegetables make the best broth, and on food safety.
With these recipes, you’ll have plenty of options to explore this fall. So grab a pot, gather your ingredients, and enjoy the cozy and nutritious benefits of homemade soup!
