Family dinner can be hard to settle when everyone wants something different. These 19 soups and stews cover a broad range, from creamy vegetable bowls and chowders to chili, seafood soup, and slow-cooked beef. Each recipe brings its own mix of ingredients and flavor, so there are plenty of choices for a filling meal, a lighter lunch, or a pot to share on a cool evening.
Meaty Texas Cowboy Stew
A generous pot makes an easy centerpiece for a family supper, and Meaty Texas Cowboy Stew brings ground beef and smoked sausage together with potatoes, beans, and tomatoes. The recipe takes 1 hour and serves 10, so there is plenty to ladle out. Chili powder and cumin season the broth with a Tex-Mex note. Add crusty bread or a green salad alongside each bowl.
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Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup
Creamy, golden bowl gives this soup a look as inviting as its mild vegetable flavor. Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup combines cauliflower and sweet potato with roasted garlic, leek, bacon, cream, and thyme. It takes 40 minutes and serves 6. The vegetables are blended until smooth, then the bowl gets a little bacon and sour cream on top. It works well for lunch or a lighter family dinner.
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Copycat La Madeleine Country Potato Soup
Silky potato soup brings a familiar restaurant-style option to the dinner table. Copycat La Madeleine Country Potato Soup is ready in 35 minutes and makes 6 servings, with gold potatoes as the base and cheese, bacon, and green onion as toppings. Its spoonable consistency makes it an easy choice for a weeknight meal. Serve it with a piece of bread or a simple salad to round things out.
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Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle
A bowl with a gentle smoky kick gives the menu a change of pace. Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Chipotle takes 40 minutes and yields 12 servings, with shrimp, corn, potato, bacon, carrots, celery, and cream in the mix. Chipotle in adobo seasons the rich broth without taking over the seafood. Bring this chowder to the table with crackers or bread for a family supper.
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Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Nutty rice and a creamy broth make this a hearty bowl for a family meal. Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup takes 50 minutes and serves 8, with chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, and thyme. The chunks of chicken and rice give each spoonful plenty of substance. Set out a salad or sliced bread beside it when you want a filling lunch or dinner.
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Cullen Skink
Smoky fish gives this Scottish soup a distinct flavor and a hearty texture. Cullen Skink is ready in 30 minutes and serves 6, combining smoked cod or haddock with potatoes, leeks, shallots, milk, and cream. The fish stays at the center of the bowl while the potatoes make it substantial. Pair it with a sandwich or salad for a filling family lunch or dinner.
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Over the Top Chili
A slow smoky cook gives chili a bold place at the family table. Over the Top Chili takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and serves 8, with seasoned ground beef smoked above the pot of chili. Beans and a rich tomato base complete the meal. Set out bowls with toppings so everyone can finish theirs as they like, or serve it with cornbread for a filling supper.
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Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Plump pasta makes this soup feel like a full dinner in one bowl. Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken takes 40 minutes and serves 6, pairing chicken broth with tortellini, chicken, kale, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. The broth carries plenty of vegetables while the stuffed pasta adds a substantial bite. Add a little grated cheese at the table and serve it with bread for a family meal.
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Mexican Street Corn Soup
Creamy corn and a little heat bring the flavors of street corn into a spoonable meal. Mexican Street Corn Soup takes 25 minutes and serves 6, making it one of the quicker bowls in this list. Its corn-forward base and Mexican-inspired seasoning keep each serving lively without making dinner complicated. Pair it with warm tortillas or a small salad for lunch or a lighter evening meal.
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Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone
Smoky tomatoes give this smooth soup a deeper flavor than a standard tomato bowl. Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and serves 6, with Roma tomatoes, garlic, shallot, thyme, broth, and mascarpone. The tomatoes are smoked before they are blended into a creamy soup. Serve it with grilled cheese or crusty bread for an easy family supper.
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Potato & Green Pea Chowder
Fresh dill brings a bright note to this creamy potato chowder. Potato & Green Pea Chowder takes 25 minutes and serves 6, combining russet potatoes and peas with leeks, garlic, vegetable broth, cream, and dill. Its lighter broth keeps the potatoes from feeling too heavy, while the peas add color and sweetness. Set it out with bread or a simple salad for a quick family lunch.
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Cream of Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Soup
Deep browned onions and tender mushrooms give this creamy bowl a savory base. Cream of Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Soup takes 45 minutes and serves 6, with cremini mushrooms, thyme, broth, and cream joining the onions. A little bacon or pancetta adds another layer, and the soup is blended before serving. Put it alongside a sandwich or salad for a satisfying lunch or a lighter dinner.
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Beef Bourguignon
Slow-cooked beef and a rich red wine sauce make this stew suited to a long family dinner. Beef Bourguignon takes 2 hours and 20 minutes and serves 8, with stewing beef, bacon, pearl onions, mushrooms, carrots, and herbs. The oven does much of the cooking while the meat turns tender. Spoon it over mashed potatoes or egg noodles, or serve it with crusty bread.
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Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup
Golden onions and bubbling cheese make a classic soup that feels special at the table. Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup takes 1 hour and serves 6, with butter-softened onions, thyme, broth, Gruyere, and baguette slices. Each bowl is finished under the broiler until the cheese melts over the bread. Serve it as a hearty lunch or start dinner with a warm, savory bowl.
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Nonna’s Pastina Soup
Tiny pasta and a savory broth make this a gentle, family-friendly bowl. Nonna’s Pastina Soup takes 45 minutes and serves 6, with chicken stock, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and small stellette pasta. The vegetables are blended into the broth before the pasta is added to individual bowls. Finish with Parmesan and parsley for a simple lunch or a warming supper that children and adults can share.
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Turkey Pot Pie Soup
Creamy broth and familiar pot pie fillings turn leftover turkey into a full family meal. Turkey Pot Pie Soup takes 50 minutes and serves 8, with diced turkey, potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, and milk. Broken pie crust pieces can go on top for a pastry finish, or serve it with bread on the side. It is a useful choice after a holiday meal or whenever cooked turkey is on hand.
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Italian Wedding Soup
Tender little meatballs and greens make this Italian soup substantial without feeling too heavy. Italian Wedding Soup takes 50 minutes and serves 8, combining ground pork meatballs with spinach, small pasta, carrots, celery, fennel, and chicken stock. Parmesan adds a savory finish at the table. Serve it with crusty bread and a salad for a family dinner that brings the main course and side into one bowl.
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Cream of Jalapeno Soup
A smooth green soup brings gentle heat to a family meal, with the spice kept at a medium level. Cream of Jalapeno Soup takes 30 minutes and serves 6, blending fresh jalapenos, onion, avocado, broth, milk, and cream. Cilantro can finish each bowl, and the soup pairs well with cornbread or a sandwich. It is a good pick when you want a creamy soup with a little kick.
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Chef Jenn’s Sauerkraut Soup with Kielbasa
Tangy sauerkraut and smoky sausage give this hearty soup a distinctive family-dinner flavor. Chef Jenn’s Sauerkraut Soup with Kielbasa takes 55 minutes and serves 6, with kielbasa, potatoes, carrots, onion, broth, and caraway in the pot. The potatoes and sausage make each serving filling, while parsley adds a fresh finish. Pair it with rye bread or a green salad for a hearty supper.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Sauerkraut Soup with Kielbasa