Satisfying Soups & Stews

By Southern Living
Photo: Paul Costello/August

When the weather turns chilly, it’s time for back-to-school, for cozy quilts, and to turn our focus from summer’s farmer’s market bounty to fall’s more filling fare. We’re thankful for these easy soup and stew recipes, which are real fall comfort foods that you can put on the table without too much fuss. Fall soup recipes are fantastic heat and eat meals–simply make a double batch and freeze for another day. Hearty beef and vegetable soup, thirty minute chili, and light, brothy turkey soup laced with lemongrass are some of our favorite fall soups. Easy stew recipes get our vote for nights when we need something a little heartier to chase away the chill–we love a chunky shrimp and sausage stew that’s simpler than gumbo but just as tasty. And what’s better comfort food than a quick and easy Brunswick stew? If you can think of something, let us know. In the meantime, stock up on crusty bread, dust off your ladles, and get in the kitchen with our favorite easy soup and stew recipes.

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These Easy Soups and Stews are the Ultimate Fall Comfort Foods

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Roasted Tomato-Eggplant Soup with Garlic Croutons

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Tomato-Eggplant Soup with Garlic Croutons

Enjoy this creamy tomato and eggplant soup with some crusty bread or a grilled cheese.

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Slow-Cooker Sausage Minestrone

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sausage Minestrone

This minestrone spends a long time is the slow-cooker, but the rich flavors are worth it.
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Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

This tasty chowder is filled with corn, bell peppers, and celery. 

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White Bean, Fennel, and Italian Sausage Soup with Parmesan Toasts

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: White Bean, Fennel, and Italian Sausage Soup with Parmesan Toasts

This soup uses mild Italian sausage, but feel free to up the heat with a hot Italian sausage.

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Smoked Chicken, Squash, and Rice Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Smoked Chicken, Squash, and Rice Soup

Top off this fresh soup with some avocados and some lemon juice for a Latin accent.
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Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

This soup is rich enough to be a whole meal.

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Southern Wedding Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Southern Wedding Soup

These pork-and-beef meatballs are great on their own as well. Try them in a spaghetti sauce or in a meatball sandwich.

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One-Pot Beef Stew

Greg DuPree

Recipe: One-Pot Beef Stew

Beef stew is a classic comfort food. Not only is it delicious, but we love the way it perfumes a whole kitchen or house as it cooks. It also conjures up images of multiple pots and pans, jumbles of ingredients, and hours in front of the stove. Forget about that, we prefer to keep things simple around here. We’ve got your new favorite one-pot, weeknight-friendly beef stew right here. Whole grain mustard adds zip and red wine adds depth of flavor, while plenty of hearty vegetables round out this classic stew. Pair with slices of crusty bread and the leftover red wine for an indulgent weeknight treat.

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Spicy Sausage Chickpea Soup

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Spicy Sausage Chickpea Soup

Take the chill off a fall evening with a bowl of this hearty soup. Spicy Italian pork sausage gives this soup a kick, but you can substitute sweet Italian sausage, if you wish.  Baby spinach also works well as a nutritious and colorful substitute for the kale. Perfect for a tailgate party or a weeknight meal, this soup has a quick hands-on time of just 20 minutes, enabling you to spend more time with friends and family as the soup simmers on the stovetop.  Already chock full of good-for-you ingredients such as tomatoes, carrots, and celery, just add a warm crusty bread to round out this satisfying meal.

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Soulful Chicken Soup

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup

No dish is quite as soothing as a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup. Slow cookers couldn't have made the road to comfort any easier: Simply toss in the ingredients, switch on, and then walk away. We love old-fashioned, wide egg noodles for this recipe. To make sure they aren't mushy and overcooked, don't leave them in the slow cooker any longer than 10 minutes.

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Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Soup

There are more ways to cook with a pumpkin beyond breads and pies. Brimming with all the flavors of fall, this creamy pumpkin soup makes a delicious weeknight meal or an elegant starter soup for your holiday menu. Use pumpkin or your favorite winter squash, or combine them to get the right amount, but don’t skip the roasting. That gives the pumpkin and squash a deep, delicious, caramelized flavor that adds depth to the soup. You can do some advance prep work and roast the pumpkin ahead; just remove the skin and keep the flesh refrigerated until ready to use.  

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Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup

Any flavor tortelloni will work well in this dish. Serve with Cheesy Garlic French Bread. 

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Southwest Pork Stew

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Southwest Pork Stew

Make this stew with pulled or shredded pork from your favorite barbecue joint or deli-roasted chicken from the grocery store. 

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King Ranch Chicken Soup

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Soup

This restaurant-style Tex-Mex dish is both rich and a cinch to prepare.

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Tortilla Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tortilla Soup

Anaheim peppers are long, slender chile peppers with a sweet, mild heat. Look for Mexican tortilla soup broth on the soup aisle.

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Tomato-and-Red-Pepper Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato-and-Red-Pepper Soup

Red pepper adds a tangy zest to this classic crowd-pleaser.

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Beef Burgundy Stew

Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Beef Burgundy Stew

The Vice President for the Southern division of Sears, Roebuck, and Co. sent us this recipe after a trip to France.

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Loaded Potato Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry

Recipe: Loaded Potato Soup

Make this reviewer favorite the star attraction of your next soup night.

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Saffron Veal Stew

Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Saffron Veal Stew

This recipe from Julia Reed is perfect for springtime outdoor entertaining. Adding a bit more saffron results in a deeper color and a slightly more exotic flavor, which is sure to please all of your guests. Julia’s spring stew pairs well with a lavender-and-mint champagne cocktail.

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White Bean and Chorizo Soup

Greg Dupree

Recipe: White Bean and Chroizo Soup

Spice up your night by layering beans, sausage, potatoes, and seasonal veggies into one pot for a fix-and-forget soup. Serve with crusty bread to help soak up the spicy broth. Here’s a tip, straight from our Test Kitchen: Choose Mexican chorizo, which cooks like ground beef when casings are removed.

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Peppered Beef Soup

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup

Freeze leftovers in an airtight container up to three months. Add a bit of canned broth when reheating to reach desired consistency. For a pretty finish, serve in Toasted Bread Bowls.

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White Bean, Sausage, and Turnip Green Stew

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: White Bean, Sausage, and Turnip Green Stew

Turnip greens, a Southern staple, have a peppery and slightly sweet taste. Look for smaller leaves or baby turnip greens, which are more tender.

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Shrimp-and-New Potato Chowder

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Shrimp-and-New Potato Chowder

Add shrimp a few minutes before serving so they don't overcook. 

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Buttermilk-Lady Pea Soup with Bacon

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Buttermilk-Lady Pea Soup with Bacon

Even served warm, buttermilk has a cooling effect on the palate, just right for summer meals.

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Tex-Mex Chicken Chili with Lime

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tex-Mex Chicken Chili with Lime

Store-bought rotisserie chicken shortcuts the cook time, while white ale adds spice, body, and flavor.

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Summer Corn-and-Golden Potato Chowder

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Summer Corn-and-Golden Potato Chowder

This earthy, aromatic chowder is light enough for summer.

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Green Tomato Soup with Lump Crabmeat

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Green Tomato Soup with Lump Crabmeat

Make this vibrant, peppery soup and easy crab salad up to a day ahead, and then stash them in the fridge to chill.

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Sausage-and-Bean Stew

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sausage-and-Bean Stew

You're three steps away from a kid-friendly, company-worthy meal.

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Mexican Stew

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Mexican Stew

Classic posole, a delicious slow-simmered Mexican pork stew often reserved for special occasions, is typically a time-consuming labor of love. But this one gives you all the comfort and flavor of the old-world version made in your slow cooker.

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Lemongrass-Turkey Soup

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Lemongrass-Turkey Soup

The fragrant flavors in this refreshing tonic of a soup are the antidote to a rich Thanksgiving feast. For a heartier spin, serve it over rice or noodles. Can't find fresh lemongrass in the produce section of your supermarket? Try our version that uses Thai ginger-infused chicken broth instead.

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Beef-and-Orzo Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Beef-and-Orzo Soup

Pick up a baguette at the market, so you can sop up every drop of this hearty soup. Whip up a fresh spinach salad to serve alongside.

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Sausage-and-Sweet Potato Soup

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sausage-and-Sweet Potato Soup

A smart way to repurpose sweet potato casserole, this hearty soup drew rave reviews in our Test Kitchen. If your casserole contains marshmallows, remove them before stirring the casserole into this soup. The flavor will vary depending on your casserole recipe; simply adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.

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Italian-Style Turkey Meatball Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Italian-Style Turkey Meatball Soup

Try our easy take on traditional Italian wedding soup. Stir baby spinach into the hot soup; it wilts in just about a minute and adds color. Or sub any herbs or baby greens you have on hand, and add more or less red pepper to vary the level of heat.

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Butternut Squash Tortilla Soup

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Butternut Squash Tortilla Soup

It may be cold out, but you can still get your fresh veggie fix with golden butternut squash. Try one of these delicious butternut squash recipes for a warm and satisfying meal.

In our first recipe, Texas-based blogger Russell Van Kraayenburg, Houston, Texas, (chasingdelicious.com) warmed up a Tex-Mex favorite, chili, with the addition of butternut squash.

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Smoky Red Pepper Soup

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Smoky Red Pepper Soup

Smoked paprika gives this yummy fall soup its flavor. Top with a Collard Green Pistou, or pesto, for an extra boost of flavor.

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30-Minute Chili

Southern Living

Recipe: 30-Minute Chili

Do you want delicious chili but you don't want to wait all day? Our 30-Minute Chili recipe will have you enjoying one of our quick-fix suppers in no time. This simple-to-make chili recipe only has six ingredients, but you'll marvel at its slow-cooked flavor. Simmering the ground beef is probably the hardest part; once you've finished that, you just pour everything else in, and stir. If you prefer an Italian-style take on 30-Minute Chili, spice this up and use 1 pound of ground sausage and 1 pound of ground beef. Whether you prefer a traditional chili or you would like to enjoy some Italian-infused flavors, this easy-to-make chili will always be ready when you are.

Cooking Video: Quick-Fix Chili

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Lemon-Chicken Soup

Recipe: Lemon-Chicken Soup

Flavored with minced garlic, lemon zest, and bay leaves, this soup is comfort in a bowl. Keep it on hand all season long.

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White Bean Soup with Gremolata

Recipe: White Bean Soup with Gremolata

Gremolata, a fragrant topping containing garlic, lemon rind, and fresh parsley, adds fresh flavor to this hearty white bean soup.

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Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew

This stew is similar to gumbo, but without the roux. The recipe gets its thick glossiness from a cornstarch-and-water slurry that’s stirred in at the end.

Watch: How to boil shrimp

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Beef Vegetable Soup

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Beef Vegetable Soup

This beef vegetable soup is the ultimate comfort food to help keep you warm on a chilly winter night.

 

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Dressed-up Tomato Soup

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Dressed-up Tomato Soup

Add a little zing to canned tomato soup by blending with canned Italian-style diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and fresh ground pepper. If desired, top with a dollop of sour cream and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

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Southern Tortellini Minestrone

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Southern Tortellini Minestrone

Use your favorite frozen greens in this soup, or substitute a bag of thoroughly washed fresh spinach.

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Quick Shrimp Chowder