25 Creamy Soups to Make This January

a recipe photo of the Creamy Cauliflower & Zucchini Soup served in a bowl with a spoon in it and a towel under it — Photo: Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop stylist: Clairen Spollen

Cozy up with a bowl of creamy soup this January. These delicious recipes feature classic flavors with a smooth and creamy texture—think chicken noodle, cream of mushroom, creamy garden tomato and more. Recipes like our Chicken & Dumplings Soup and Sweet Potato Soup with Orange-Walnut Gremolata are perfect for the winter season.

01 of 25

Chicken & Dumplings Soup

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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 25

Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup

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There is no cream in this silky mushroom soup. Pureed potatoes give this vegan mushroom soup its creamy texture. Be sure to use Yukon Gold—russets don't provide quite the right texture.

03 of 25

Carrot Soup

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This easy carrot soup recipe is a great way to use up a bag of carrots that were forgotten in your produce drawer. The carrots cook together with aromatics like onions, garlic and fresh herbs before being puréed into a silky smooth soup that's delicious for dinner or packed up for lunch.

04 of 25

Chicken Enchilada Soup

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Corn tortillas thicken this chicken enchilada soup, but Cheddar and cream cheese give it the richness you'd expect from an enchilada. Serve it with something fresh and crunchy like a jicama slaw dressed with a little olive oil and lime juice for a healthy dinner that will appeal to the whole family.

05 of 25

Sweet Potato Soup with Orange-Walnut Gremolata

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This easy sweet potato soup comes together quickly with the use of refrigerated mashed sweet potatoes, which provide a creamy, smooth texture. The gremolata brings freshness and brightness to complement the soup.

06 of 25

Slow-Cooker Thai Chile & Corn Chowder

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This slow-cooker chowder draws inspiration from both American corn chowder and Thai curry. Thai chile and green curry paste provide spiciness and umami, while cream and coconut milk round out the flavors, resulting in a soup that's the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Blending part of the soup helps thicken it for a delicious bite.

07 of 25

Creamy Cauliflower & Zucchini Soup

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This cauliflower and zucchini soup gets its silky texture from blending mellow-flavored cauliflower and zucchini together. Just a touch of milk and cream combine with sharp Cheddar cheese to add additional creaminess and savory flavors to this warming vegetarian soup.

08 of 25

Broccoli-Cheese Chowder

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This satisfying remake of broccoli chowder benefits from the creamy texture of cooked potatoes and smooth, tangy reduced-fat sour cream instead of getting its richness from as much as a cup each of cream and cheese. Not only is the flavor vibrant, but a single serving gives you over half of the daily recommendation for vitamin C.

09 of 25

Slow-Cooker Creamy Butternut Squash-Apple Soup

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The sweetness of the Granny Smith apple shines through the creaminess of the blended butternut squash, a combination that is sure to whet appetites. Don't be afraid to keep blending the soup—more air yields tastier, frothier soup. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary sprigs, if desired. To make this a vegan butternut squash soup, omit the heavy cream and use your favorite plant-based milk or yogurt instead.

10 of 25

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken

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This creamy rotisserie chicken soup has a delicious chicken potpie feel. We call for rotisserie chicken to streamline your prep time—look for a nice big one with lots of breast meat on it. Pair this comforting and easy soup recipe with a green salad or, if you're really hungry, a grilled cheese sandwich.

11 of 25

Creamy Tomato Soup with Tortellini

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If you're a fan of the classic dipping duo of toasty grilled cheese and tomato soup, you'll want to try this combo. Cheese-filled pasta floating in an earthy tomato base gives you that same creamy and delicious mashup without all the crumbs. This family-friendly tomato tortellini soup is popular with kids, but adults will love it too, for both its flavor and less than 30 minutes of active cooking time.

12 of 25

Slow-Cooker Potato Soup Four Ways

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Be sure to use waxy potatoes, such as red or Yukon Gold, in this crock pot potato soup recipe. The result will be creamier than if you use starchy varieties like russets. Load your bowl up like a classic baked potato.

13 of 25

Creamy Mushroom & Spinach Soup with Wild Rice

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This creamy soup packed with vegetables comes together easily for a warming meal. Wild rice adds a boost of protein and fiber, but you could substitute another whole grain like brown rice or barley, if you prefer.

14 of 25

Easy Chicken & Broccoli Soup

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This easy chicken and broccoli soup is creamy and luscious but still light. The broccoli florets absorb the creamy soup base, while the chicken stays tender. This is the perfect soup to make on a busy weeknight when you have leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken on hand. While the recipe calls for chicken breasts, if thighs are what you have on hand, feel free to use those.

15 of 25

Creamy Garden Tomato & Quinoa Soup

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This hearty garden tomato soup is loaded with vegetables. To thicken the soup, we puree it before adding the quinoa. Half-and-half and milk add creaminess and cut the acidity of the tomatoes, adding balance and letting the garden-fresh flavors shine. Serve with crusty bread or grilled cheese for dipping.

16 of 25

Cream of Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

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Got leftover cooked chicken or turkey? Cook up a pot of soup! This low-sodium soup recipe is a healthier twist on a classic creamy turkey and wild rice soup that hails from Minnesota. Serve with a crisp romaine salad and whole-grain bread.

17 of 25

Creamy Peanut Soup with Sage

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a recipe photo of the Creamy Peanut Soup served in bowls with peanuts and green onions topping — Ali Redmond

This creamy peanut soup lets the flavor of the peanuts truly shine, and fresh sage adds a nice autumnal flavor. While we often call for natural peanut butters in our recipes, they're not recommended here, as they can make the soup gritty and oily.

18 of 25

Pea Soup

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This simple pea soup recipe makes an elegant start to a spring meal. It's also a great way to use frozen vegetables when the produce section looks bleak.

19 of 25

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

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This roasted cauliflower soup recipe is the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Lemon juice adds brightness, while crushed red pepper adds a touch of heat. Toasted nuts bring a bit of crunch to this creamy soup.

20 of 25

Slow-Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

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Skip the roasting in this butternut squash soup recipe and let your slow cooker do the work instead. Just load up all the ingredients into the crock pot, set it and forget it for an easy, healthy dinner or packable lunch.

21 of 25

Copycat Panera's Tomato-Basil Soup

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We've recreated Panera's Tomato-Basil Soup, loved for its richness and subtle sweetness, by roasting cherry tomatoes and shallots, which add natural sweet flavors and eliminate the need for added sugar. Serve with a salad or a grilled cheese for dunking.

22 of 25

Beer-Cheese Soup

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Cayenne provides a bit of heat in this creamy beer-cheese soup. Using a mild beer adds the perfect amount of flavor without overpowering the dish. The sharp Cheddar cheese adds a rich, savory flavor. Serve with your preferred toppings and a piece of crusty bread to sop up the leftovers.

23 of 25

Creamy Turkey & Vegetable Soup

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This comforting creamy turkey soup is a great way to repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers. The vegetables are perfectly tender, and the broth is creamy and flavorful—a perfect soup for when there's a chill in the air!

24 of 25

Cream of Broccoli Soup

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This simple and healthy cream of broccoli soup recipe gets its flavor from a mixture of aromatic vegetables, including leeks and celery. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender) gives it a smooth, creamy texture. Enjoy this easy homemade cream of broccoli soup as a comforting appetizer, or pair it with a sandwich or salad for lunch or dinner.

25 of 25

Alaskan Cod Chowder

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In this healthy fish chowder recipe, heavy cream is replaced with milk and flour-thickened fish (or seafood) broth, and we keep sodium amounts reasonable with lower-sodium broth. By making your own homemade fish chowder, you'll save up to 300 calories, 20 grams of saturated fat and 500 milligrams of sodium per serving compared to many store-bought or restaurant chowders.

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