Winter calls for soul-warming soups that fill your kitchen with incredible aromas and your belly with comfort. These hearty recipes are perfect for cold nights when you need something truly satisfying.
1. Winter Squash and Green Curry Soup
This is one of my favorite ways to use winter squash – the Thai aromatics like lemongrass and ginger create such a warming, complex flavor. The butternut squash becomes silky smooth when puréed, and that touch of green curry paste adds just enough heat to chase away the winter chill.
2. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Roasting the squash cut-side down is my secret for getting that deep, caramelized sweetness that makes this soup so satisfying. I love how the roasted shallots and garlic add layers of flavor – it’s the kind of soup that tastes like you spent hours on it but comes together pretty easily.
3. Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
This humble soup is pure winter comfort food – the wild rice gives it such a hearty, nutty flavor and substantial texture. I make this when I want something that feels like a warm hug, and that creamy roux-thickened base makes every spoonful incredibly satisfying.
4. Split Pea and Ham Soup
Nothing says winter like split pea soup simmering on the stove with a meaty ham bone. The peas break down into this thick, creamy base that’s so filling, and that smoky ham flavor throughout just screams cold-weather comfort food.
5. Creamy Gnocchi Soup
This one-pot wonder is perfect for busy winter nights when you want something hearty fast. The gnocchi cook right in the herb-flecked broth, making them extra flavorful, and the whole thing comes together in no time but tastes like you fussed over it.
6. Gnocchi Soup with Chicken
I think of this as elevated chicken and dumplings – those pillowy gnocchi are so much more interesting than regular dumplings. The rich, savory broth with tender chicken makes this the kind of soup you crave when it’s freezing outside.
7. Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Soup
Roasting the sweet potatoes and red peppers together creates this gorgeous, vibrant soup that’s both comforting and a little sophisticated. The natural sweetness from both vegetables makes this perfect for winter when you need something bright but still warming.
8. Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Don’t sleep on cauliflower soup – roasting it with turmeric gives it this beautiful golden color and incredibly rich flavor. It’s lighter than some winter soups but still creamy and satisfying, plus that roasted garlic makes everything taste amazing.
9. Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Lentils are perfect for winter – they’re so hearty and filling, plus they cook relatively quickly. I love how toasting the tomato paste removes that tinny taste and adds depth, making this simple soup taste so much more complex than it actually is.
10. Potato Leek Soup
This classic is winter comfort in a bowl – those Yukon Golds get so creamy when blended, and leeks have this subtle sweetness that’s perfect for cold weather. It’s elegant enough for company but comforting enough for a quiet night in.
11. Black Bean Soup
Black beans make such a hearty, protein-packed winter soup, and I love partially blending it to get that perfect thick-but-still-chunky texture. That squeeze of lime at the end brightens everything up and keeps it from feeling too heavy.
12. Simple Cabbage Soup
Cabbage soup might sound basic, but it’s incredibly satisfying and warming. The key is letting that cabbage sweat down with the aromatics first – it develops this natural sweetness that makes the whole soup taste rich and comforting.
13. Simple Vegetable Soup
Sometimes you just want a classic, no-fuss vegetable soup that hits all the comfort food notes. Adding the vegetables based on cooking time is crucial – nobody wants mushy peas or crunchy potatoes in their soup.
14. Stuffed Pepper Soup
This gives you all the flavors of stuffed peppers in soup form, which is so much easier for winter nights. The rice cooks right in that beefy tomato broth, absorbing all the flavor, and it’s hearty enough to be a complete meal.
15. Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Even in winter, sometimes you crave tomato soup, and roasting all the vegetables first makes this version so much richer than anything from a can. The caramelized flavors from the sheet pan roasting really elevate this classic comfort soup.