35 Easy Winter Soups That Go from Stove to Table in 30 Minutes

When you're in a hurry, you don't need to settle for the canned stuff. These easy winter soups are on the table in a mere 30 minutes.

As a certified Soup Girl, I love it when the temperatures drop and soup season finally arrives. What I love less is hanging over a pot for hours, waiting for my cozy, homemade soup to be done cooking while my stomach rumbles. Luckily, there are these oh-so-delicious easy winter soups that take just 30 minutes or less from start to finish to save the day.

This collection has a ton of cozy soup ideas for winter, like creamy wild rice, cheesy ramen chowder and hearty barley soup, all guaranteed to warm you up on frigid nights. There are lighter options, too, including stracciatella, Italian white bean and lemony turkey soup. These are perfect foods to eat when you have a winter cold or just need a boost of vitamins. And despite these soups being ready to serve in no time, they’re all packed with flavor that’ll have you coming back for another bowl.

For a complete meal, serve these soups with a hunk of crusty bread or a leafy green salad on the side.

1/35

Pasta Fagioli Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:5
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My husband enjoys my version of this soup so much that he stopped ordering it at restaurants. He’d rather savor the version we can have at home. It’s so easy to make, yet hearty enough to be a full dinner. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 228 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
2/35

Beer Cheese Soup

Total Time:25 min
Servings:8 (1-1/2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This soup was a hit with a group of German exchange teachers who visited our high school. When I don't use bread bowls, I usually serve it with soft pretzels or crusty bread. And it's also an even bigger treat with slices of cooked bratwurst or kielbasa stirred into it. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 450 calories, 36g fat (22g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 925mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
3/35

Bean Counter Chowder

Total Time:30 min
Servings:8 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This hearty chowder is one of our favorite vegetarian dishes. Loaded with beans, noodles and bright herbs, it's so comforting on a chilly day. —Vivian Haen, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 196 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 676mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 9g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
4/35

Cheesy Wild Rice Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:8 (2qt)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: We often eat easy-to-make soups when there's not a lot of time to cook. I replaced the wild rice in the original recipe with a boxed rice mix. This creamy concoction is now a family favorite. —Lisa Hofer, Hitchcock, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 464 calories, 29g fat (14g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1492mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
5/35

Southwest-Style Wedding Soup

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:6 (2-1/4 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I turned leftover ground chicken into meatballs and dreamed up this cozy southwestern soup. Now my Italian family asks for it over traditional wedding soup. —Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 455 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1219mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
6/35

Ramen Corn Chowder

Total Time:15 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This tastes so good, as if it simmered for hours, but it’s ready in 15 minutes. I thought the original recipe was lacking in flavor, so I jazzed it up with extra corn and bacon bits. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 333 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 1209mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
7/35

Italian Veggie Beef Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:12 (4 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My sweet father-in-law, Pop Pop, would bring this chunky soup to our house when we were under the weather. We like it so much, we take it to our own friends who need comfort. It always does the trick. —Sue Webb, Reisterstown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 159 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
8/35

Mexican Bean Soup

Total Time:20 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: It never hurts to have a few meals that you can whip up in very little time, and this hearty soup is one of my busy-day favorites. Green chiles and chili powder give it some oomph. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 214 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 893mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 12g fiber), 14g protein.
9/35

Cream Cheese Chicken Soup

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: After tasting a similar soup in a restaurant, I went home and cooked up my own version. It's so soothing on a winter evening served with crusty French bread. For a change of pace, try substituting ham or turkey for the chicken. —Kathleen Rappleye, Mesa, Arizona
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 272 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 504mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
10/35

Christmas Tortellini Soup

Total Time:25 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I made this soup for the first time in the summer, but when I saw its bright red and green colors, my first thought was what a perfect Christmas Eve dinner idea! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 239 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 1135mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein.
11/35

Stracciatella Soup

Total Time:20 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Also known as Italian egg drop soup, stracciatella soup consists of three key ingredients: chicken stock, egg and Parmesan cheese. It provides a savory, comforting flavor perfect for those colder days. —Megan Taylor, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 124 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 135mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 12g protein.
12/35

Chicken Potato Soup

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Any time I serve this thick comforting soup, I'm asking for the recipe. Because it is loaded with chunks of potatoes and chicken, no one suspects that it's low in fat. —Carla Reid of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 232 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat-free milk.
13/35

Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:3
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: If I don't have frozen broccoli on hand, I like to use frozen spinach or chopped carrots and celery instead. —Mary Price, Youngstown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 262 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable.
14/35

Easy Chicken Corn Chowder

Total Time:30 min
Servings:4 (1-1/2 quart)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: When I haven’t planned for dinner, I often play around with ingredients in my pantry instead of running to the store. This recipe was a happy experiment. Cut some fat by omitting the bacon—it’s still tasty. —Barbara Banski, Fenton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 474 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 1252mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
15/35

Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:8 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: While growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma cook. Lemon and cilantro add a deliciously different twist to turkey soup. —Margarita Cuellar, East Chicago, Indiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 166 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1047mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
16/35

Mexican Corn Chowder

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:8 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I like to make this smooth, creamy soup when company comes to visit. Its zippy flavor is full of southwestern flair. My family enjoys dipping slices of homemade bread in this chowder to soak up every bite! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 368 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 753mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
17/35

Italian White Bean Soup

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A bowlful of this soup is so satisfying, it's hard to believe it's actually good for you, too. I crave it all the time. With lots of beans and potatoes, it's filling and even hits the spot with meat lovers. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 164 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 714mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein.
18/35

Easy Mushroom Barley Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I surprised my mother with a visit some years ago, and she was preparing this soup when I walked in. It was so wonderful that I asked for the recipe, and I’ve been fixing it ever since. —Edie Irwin, Cornwall, New York
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 196 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 654mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 whole milk, 1/2 fat.
19/35

Corn Chowder with Bacon

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 335 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 592mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
20/35

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:7
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I knew this ham soup recipe was a keeper when my mother-in-law asked for it! The hearty soup—chock-full of ham, veggies and cheese—is creamy and comforting. And even though the recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, don’t expect it to last more than one meal! —Marty Matthews, Clarksville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 331 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 772mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
21/35

Arborio Rice and White Bean Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Soup is the ultimate comfort food. This hearty, satisfying soup with arborio rice is low in fat and comes together in less than 30 minutes. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups: 303 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 861mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein.
22/35

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Total Time:20 min
Servings:2
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I love this cheesy dish. It is proof that soup doesn't need to be made in big batches to be good. —Cheryl McRae, West Valley, Utah
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 494 calories, 37g fat (24g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1145mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
23/35

Country Sausage Soup

Total Time:20 min
Servings:4 (1-1/2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Savory pork sausage, two kinds of beans and diced tomatoes make this soup one I prepare time and again. It's a hearty fix for when I don't know what to prepare for supper. —Grace Meyer, Galva, Kansas
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 387 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 1279mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 11g fiber), 17g protein.
24/35

Potato Soup

Contest Winner
Total Time:30 min
Servings:8 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: You'll be surprised at the taste of this rich and cheesy easy potato soup. It really is the best potato soup recipe, ever. I came up with it after enjoying baked potato soup at one of our favorite restaurants. I added bacon, and we think that makes it even better. —Coleen Morrissey, Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 250 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
25/35

Italian Sausage and Zucchini Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6 (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: Everyone in my family likes this soup recipe. Sometimes I add mini farfalle because my grandchildren say the noodles look like tiny butterflies. This recipe also works in a slow cooker. —Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 191 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 789mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
26/35

Creamy Sweet Potato and Veggie Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:16 (4 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I tasted a delicious soup in a restaurant but couldn't persuade the chef to share the recipe, so I began to experiment on my own. Finally, I came up with this blend, which is very close to what I tasted—maybe even better! —Audrey Nemeth, Mount Vernon, Maine
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 137 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
27/35

Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:8 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I was honored when my fireman son-in-law asked to add this recipe to their firehouse cookbook. You can prepare parts of this turkey soup ahead of time and then assemble when ready. Serve with crispy whole-grain crackers. —Carol Perkins, Washington, Missouri
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 285 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
28/35

Cheesy Chili

Total Time:25 min
Servings:12 (3 qt)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My six grandchildren enjoy feasting on big bowls of this zesty chili. It's so creamy and tasty, you can even serve it as a dip at parties. —Codie Ray, Tallulah, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 396 calories, 25g fat (15g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1166mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
29/35

Quick Golden Squash Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6 (1-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: This delectable soup feels like fall! Its golden color and rich, satisfying flavor have made it a favorite of mine—which is really amazing because I was convinced I didn't like squash until I tried this recipe. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 294 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 922mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
30/35

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Contest Winner
Total Time:25 min
Servings:12 (3 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A good friend made us this rich, comforting soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 218 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 980mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
31/35

Chicken Gnocchi Pesto Soup

Total Time:25 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: After tasting a similar soup at a restaurant, I created this quick and tasty version. It’s rich and creamy, and couldn’t be easier to make! —Deanna Smith, Des Moines, Iowa
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 586 calories, 26g fat (11g saturated fat), 158mg cholesterol, 1650mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein.
32/35

Taco Soup

Total Time:25 min
Servings:8 (about 2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 370 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1369mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein.
33/35

Grandma’s Tomato Soup

Total Time:15 min
Servings:2
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is my grandmother’s. Originally, she even made the tomato juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 259 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 1144mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
34/35

Ham and Bean Soup

Total Time:30 min
Servings:7
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: If you like ham and bean soup but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty, quick version will leave you with a satisfied smile. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 300 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 1383mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 13g fiber), 22g protein.
35/35

Spinach Tortellini Soup

Total Time:20 min
Servings:6 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A simple tomato-enhanced broth is perfect for cheese tortellini and fresh spinach. Increase the garlic and add Italian seasoning to suit your taste. —Debbie Wilson, Burlington, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 164 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 799mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.

Easy Winter Soups FAQ:

What are some healthy and easy winter soup recipes?

Easy, healthy soups are made with quick-cooking winter vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Classic soups like tomato, minestrone and chicken and rice are great healthy options that won’t take forever to cook. To shave off even more time, opt for pre-cooked ingredients like rotisserie chicken, quinoa pouches or frozen veggies in steamable bags.

What are the best ingredients for winter soups?

The best ingredients for winter soups include seasonal produce and hearty, cozy flavors. Veggies like sweet potatoes, winter squash, leeks, parsnips, kale and carrots lend a lot of nutrients and flavor to winter soups. You can also add even more layers of texture and flavor with fun toppings like toasted nuts, pumpkin seeds and seasoned crackers. Winter is the perfect time for comfort food, so I love adding a dash of heavy cream and shredded cheese to my soups.

Can I make easy winter soups in a slow cooker?

Yes, slow-cooker soup recipes are an excellent option when it comes to hands-off meals! Some of my favorite slow-cooked soups in winter include split pea, beef and barley, lentil and potato soup.