21 Soul-Healing Soups That Comfort From the Inside Out

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Published on December 16, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

a recipe photo of the Minestrone Soup — Photo:
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl,

These soups are warm and comforting ways to soothe the soul, and they’re also nutritious and flavorful ways to support your body’s natural defense system. With at least 20% of your daily needs of two or more immunity-supporting nutrients like protein, vitamins A, C, D and E, and zinc, these dishes can help you feel good from the inside and out. Cozy recipes like our Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup and hearty Minestrone Soup feel like a loving hug to pick you back up at the end of the day.

01 of 21

Chicken & Dumplings Soup

a recipe photo of Chicken & Dumplings Soup in a bowl — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This hearty and warming chicken-and-dumplings soup features whole-wheat biscuits that offer a boost of fiber while maintaining a light texture. Thyme and parsley add freshness to the traditional flavors of this crowd-pleasing soup.

02 of 21

Spaghetti Squash Soup with Sausage

Spaghetti Squash Soup — Caitlin Bensel

This easy soup is a great way to showcase the versatility of spaghetti squash. Sweet Italian sausage pairs well with the subtle sweetness of the squash. The broth that coats the thin strands of spaghetti squash is flavorful and light.

03 of 21

Creamy Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup

a recipe photo of the Sausage & Cheese Tortellini Soup — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This cheese tortellini soup is a quick meal to throw together on a weeknight, and a crowd-pleaser if you have company. If you like soup with a kick, opt for hot Italian sausage. Tortellini, like any pasta, will soak up the broth as it sits, so if you're making it ahead of time, cook the tortellini separately and add it just before serving.

04 of 21

Kimchi-Tofu Soup with Sesame & Egg

a recipe photo of the Kimchi-Tofu Soup with Sesame & Egg — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Cubed tofu soaks up the delicious aromatic broth, full of tang and flavor from prepared kimchi, garlic paste and ginger paste. Use your favorite brand of kimchi, just be sure to drain it before adding. A fried egg adds protein to this vegetarian kimchi-tofu soup. If you avoid eating seafood, look for a brand of kimchi that's vegetarian.

05 of 21

Minestrone Soup

a recipe photo of the Minestrone Soup — Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl,

This fresh and simple minestrone soup is the perfect recipe for chilly days. Adding the ingredients in stages allows this quick-cooking soup to develop deep flavors in a short time. Cooking the pasta in the soup is an easy and efficient way to add body. This minestrone soup would work with different veggies (think peas, cabbage or winter squash) or another type of canned bean, like creamy cannellini beans or even chickpeas.

06 of 21

Spinach-Tortellini Soup

bowl of spinach tortellini soup — Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

When you need a quick and flavorful dinner, turn to this easy tortellini soup with spinach. Refrigerated cheese tortellini bulk up the soup and cook in just minutes. The tortellini can be delicate, so be careful when stirring the soup to avoid them falling apart.

07 of 21

Coconut Stew with Spinach & Beans

a recipe photo of the Coconut Stew with Spinach & Beans — Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl

Sweet potatoes add sweetness and body to this stew flavored with ginger, cumin, coriander and turmeric (which gives it its vibrant yellow color). Unseeded chiles add extra heat, but you can seed them to mellow the spiciness. You want the potatoes cooked until they're tender, but not falling apart in the stew—the carryover heat will continue to cook them as the stew sits off the heat.

08 of 21

Vegetarian Lasagna Soup

Overhead photo of Vegetarian Lasagna Soup — photographer: Jennifer Causey, food stylist: Ali Ramee, prop stylist: Claire Spollen

All the delicious flavors of a vegetarian lasagna can be found in this cozy soup. Mushrooms, zucchini and spinach provide color and nutrients, while a ricotta-and-mozzarella topping provides the signature cheesiness and creaminess. Serve with a side salad or crusty bread for dipping.

09 of 21

Thai Green Curry-Inspired Vegetable Soup

a recipe photo of the Thai Green Curry Soup — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Green curry paste, fresh herbs and plenty of scallion all pack a bunch of flavor into this vibrant, refreshing soup. The light yet creamy broth is loaded with vegetables, with tofu stirred in at the end to make it filling. A small spoonful of chili crisp adds nice heat and crunch, but if you want to tame the spice, chopped cashews would work well in its place.

10 of 21

Chicken Tikka Masala Soup

Bowl of Chicken Tikka Masala Soup — Chicken Tikka Masala Soup. Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ail Ramee; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This chicken tikka masala soup tastes just like the original dish, but in soup form! The ginger, garlic and onion combine with aromatic spices to offer flavor in every bite. Butternut squash (or sweet potato) and spinach add sweetness and color to this warming soup. Serve with toasted garlic naan.

11 of 21

Mom's Minestrone

a recipe photo of the Mom's Minestrone — Kristin Teig

This is less a soup than it is an Italian-American vegetable stew, great on its own but most often eaten more like a vegetable stroganoff or Bolognese, coating the pasta with its thick, rustic, vegetable-and-bean gravy, and finished in the bowl with fresh basil and a dusting of Parmesan and drizzle of olive oil. Adapted from The Don't Panic Pantry Cookbook: Mostly Vegetarian Comfort Food That Happens to Be Pretty Good for You © 2023 by Noah Galuten. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

12 of 21

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

a recipe photo of the Vegetarian French Onion Soup served in a bowl — Photographer: Brie Goldman Food Stylist: Charlie Worthington

This vegetarian French onion soup is teeming with onions and shallots that caramelize and add sweet and savory flavor to the soup. Vegetable broth stands in for beef broth, but mushroom broth, with its dark color and earthy flavor, is also a good option.

13 of 21

Cabbage & Sweet Potato Soup with Sausage & Mustard

a recipe photo of the Cabbage & Sweet Potato Soup with Sausage & Mustard — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This warming cabbage soup is packed with flavor. The bratwurst and mustard add savory flavors that are complemented by sweet potatoes and an apple slaw on top that adds sweetness and crunch. Savoy cabbage adds texture to this perfect cold-weather soup.

14 of 21

Green Chile Chicken Pozole

a recipe photo of the Green Chile Chicken Posole served in a bowl — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This Mexican-style soup features chicken thighs, hominy and roasted poblano peppers, which add depth of flavor and a little heat. Oregano, coriander and garlic give this simple soup a lovely aroma to whet your appetite.

15 of 21

Chicken & Root Vegetable Soup with Wild Rice

a recipe photo of the Chicken & Root Vegetable Soup with Wild Rice served in a bowl — Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop stylist: Clairen Spollen

This chicken and root vegetable soup will fill you up with chicken and nutty wild rice paired with your favorite root vegetables. Try butternut squash for sweeter notes, or celeriac or parsnip for an earthier flavor.

16 of 21

Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

a recipe photo of the Chicken Tortilla Soup — Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Hominy adds mild corn flavor, while poblanos provide smokiness in this chicken tortilla soup recipe. Spices like cumin, coriander and smoked paprika bring a bold flavor that's balanced by fresh lime juice.

17 of 21

Pea Egg-Drop Macaroni Soup

Pea Egg-Drop Macaroni Soup — Hetty Lui McKinnon

Hetty Lui McKinnon's love for macaroni soup runs deep. It's an evocative dish, a reminder of her mother's devotion to cooking hearty breakfasts every morning and the quick lunches they would share when it was just the two of them at home. This version was inspired by her mother's recipe, but McKinnon's version includes egg drop, which not only thickens the broth, but also adds a richer finish. She recommends topping it with her Umami Crisp, which you can find in her book, Tenderheart. Recipe adapted from Tenderheart © 2023 by Hetty Lui McKinnon. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

18 of 21

Velvety Winter Squash Soup with Smoky Garlic Custard

a recipe photo of the Velvety Winter Squash Soup with Smoky Garlic Custard served in a bowl — Ali Redmond

In the French countryside, soup is a main event, brought to the table in vintage soup tureens passed down in families. Each element of this winter squash soup—the sunset color, the silky texture, the smoky undertone—evokes winter in the south of France, inspired by Julia Child's kitchen. This is weekend cooking, when you could roast the squash and garlic the evening before, prepare the soup and custard the next day, and stay warm by the fire. Serve this soup with warm, crusty bread to mop up every delicious drop.

19 of 21

Coconut Curry Squash Soup with Spiced Seeds

Coconut Curry Squash Soup with Spiced Seeds — Jacob Fox

In this curried butternut squash soup, we leave the tender chunks of squash intact to give the soup texture. If you are starting with a whole squash, you can toast its seeds in place of the pepitas.

20 of 21

French Onion Soup

a recipe photo of the French Onion soup — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

This French onion soup recipe uses two types of onions, yellow for sharpness and sweet for sweetness, for a more complex flavor. White wine and vermouth bring slight acidity, while thyme gives an earthy flavor. The thick, cheesy slices of whole-wheat bread soak up the delicious broth.

21 of 21

Easy Tortellini Soup

a recipe photo of the Easy Tortellini Soup — Photographer: Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This nourishing, vibrant soup is on the table quickly, making it the perfect weeknight meal. The broth is delicate and creamy, thanks to the Parmesan rind, while dried basil adds an herbaceous note. We call for cheese tortellini, but you can easily swap in your favorite kind.

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