Dinner can take over the evening when every part of the meal needs your attention. These 19 soup recipes include hearty chili, chicken and dumplings, vegetable soups, and rich stews that cook together in one pot. Some need a longer simmer, while quicker broths and a chilled gazpacho give you other options when the schedule changes. Choose a bowl that fits your day and let the pot handle much of the cooking.
Beef Chili
A slow simmer brings out the deep, savory flavor in Beef Chili. Ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and chili powder build a hearty pot, with cumin adding warmth. Let it simmer while you set the table or finish other chores. Ladle it into bowls with bread or your preferred toppings, and keep any remaining servings for a later lunch. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chili
Cabbage Soup
When the weather turns chilly, a generous bowl of Cabbage Soup. Carrots, celery, onion, cabbage, and fire-roasted tomatoes cook together in vegetable broth. The vegetables soften while the pot stays on the stove, so you can get other parts of dinner ready. Bring it to the table with crusty bread when you want a filling vegetable-forward meal. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Soup
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Soft dumplings floating in a rich broth make Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings. Chicken breast cooks in broth while a simple flour-and-milk dough becomes tender dumplings. The soft pieces make the bowl substantial enough for dinner without needing a separate side dish. Serve it hot on a busy evening, with chopped parsley on top if you have some ready.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Dashi
A clear, delicate broth is the whole point of Dashi. Kombu and bonito flakes infuse water with a savory base that can be used in other dishes. It needs a shorter, more attentive preparation than an all-afternoon stew, but the finished liquid is useful for a simple meal. Pour it into bowls or use it as the base for noodles and vegetables.
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Gnocchi Soup
Tender little dumplings make Gnocchi Soup. Cooked chicken, carrots, celery, garlic, and broth surround the gnocchi in a satisfying bowl. The soft dumplings give each spoonful some substance without another pot of pasta on the side. Serve it for a weeknight dinner with bread, and let the pot supply both the main dish and the broth. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Taco Soup
A spoonful of bold, smoky flavor turns Taco Soup. Ground beef, diced tomatoes, garlic, and taco seasoning build a savory base as the pot cooks. Its hearty texture makes it useful when dinner needs to feed hungry people without several separate dishes. Add toppings at the table and offer tortilla chips for scooping up the last of the broth. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Wonton Soup
For a lighter bowl with plenty of texture, Wonton Soup. Shiitake mushrooms, broccolini, ginger, and frozen wontons cook in chicken broth. The wontons turn this into more than a light starter, and the vegetables give the bowl freshness. Serve it for a quiet evening meal, with sliced green onions if you want an extra finishing touch. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Italian Penicillin Soup
A fragrant broth and small pasta shapes make Italian Penicillin Soup. Onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, and chicken broth form the foundation of this warm bowl. The vegetables cook into the liquid while you prepare the rest of dinner. Bring it out when you want something gentle and savory, with bread alongside for anyone who needs a heartier meal. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Marry Me Chicken Soup
A creamy, savory finish sets Marry Me Chicken Soup. Chicken stock, onion, thyme, and tomato paste create a flavorful base for this soup. It is a good choice when you want a warm, substantial bowl but would rather let the ingredients cook together than manage several pans. Serve with bread or a side salad for an uncomplicated dinner. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup
Cheesy Broccoli Soup
A smooth, cheesy bowl makes Cheesy Broccoli Soup. Broccoli cooks with garlic and vegetable stock before ricotta, cheddar, and cream make the soup rich. The smooth texture works well for a family lunch or a simple evening meal. Serve with slices of sourdough bread for dipping, and bring the pot straight to the table while the soup is hot. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Soup
Gazpacho
Chilled and bright, Gazpacho. Gazpacho is a cold soup, so this one does not simmer on the stove. Tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, sherry vinegar, and olive oil create a refreshing bowl that needs time to chill. Make it ahead for a warm day, then serve straight from the refrigerator with bread if you want something more filling. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Gazpacho
Miso Soup
A light broth with a deeply savory edge makes Miso Soup. Dashi, red miso paste, tofu, green chard, and green onions make a delicate, savory bowl. It comes together more quickly than a slow-simmered stew, so keep an eye on it while preparing the rest of the meal. Serve it alongside rice or another main dish, with a little nori in each bowl.
Get the Recipe: Miso Soup
Ham and Potato Soup
The combination of creamy potatoes and smoky ham makes Ham and Potato Soup. Leftover cooked ham, potatoes, onion, carrot, and celery turn into a filling soup with plenty of texture. The potatoes make it substantial enough for dinner while the broth brings everything together. Ladle it into bowls on a cold evening and offer bread for anyone who wants a little more.
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Hot and Sour Soup
Tangy broth with a gentle kick makes Hot and Sour Soup. Chicken broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and red pepper flakes give the soup its lively flavor. The broth comes together in one pot, with a balance of savory, spicy, and tangy notes. Serve it hot for lunch or as a starter when the rest of dinner is already planned.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup
Lamb Stew
Slow-cooked meat and warm spices give Lamb Stew. Cubed lamb, onion, garlic, cumin, fire-roasted tomatoes, and broth develop into a rich, filling stew. It needs time on the stove, making it suited to an afternoon when you can let dinner cook while tending to other things. Spoon it over rice or serve with bread for a substantial evening meal. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Stew
Pumpkin Soup
A velvety texture and earthy sweetness make Pumpkin Soup. Pumpkin, carrots, onion, saffron, orange zest, and vegetable stock make a fragrant soup. The vegetables soften in the pot before the soup is served, giving you time to prepare a simple side. Spoon it into bowls on a fall evening and add toasted bread for an easy dinner. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Red Lentil Soup
A thick, gently spiced bowl of Red Lentil Soup. Red lentils cook with onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, and chili flakes for a hearty texture. The lentils soften as the soup simmers, so the bowl needs little extra to become a meal. Serve it with warm bread or rice when you want an easy dinner built around pantry staples. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Egg Drop Soup
Silky ribbons of egg give Egg Drop Soup. Chicken broth, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and beaten eggs come together in a light but savory soup. The eggs form soft ribbons in the hot liquid, making this a quicker stovetop dish rather than something to leave simmering unattended. Serve it as a starter or pair with rice for lunch. It is one option to consider when you need to get dinner onto the table without making several different dishes.
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Slow Cooker Potato Soup
A long, hands-off cook lets Slow Cooker Potato Soup. Potatoes, chicken broth, onion, garlic, and bacon cook together in the slow cooker. The longer cooking time means the main part of dinner can progress while you handle other tasks, though the finishing steps still need attention. Ladle it into bowls when everyone is ready to eat and offer bread on the side.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup