20 Cheap and Easy Soup Recipes (2024)

20 Cheap and Easy Soup Recipes (1)


As winter clings on, now is the perfect time to make a pot of soup. Warming and nourishing, soup is the ultimate meal in a bowl, and even freezes well. The following 20 recipes are affordable and easy to make, and can be adjusted to feed a crowd or a dinner for two. Try one this week — your wallet and your stomach are sure to thank you.

1. Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

This creamy squash and potato soup is a beautiful color, and the main ingredients are affordable and have a long shelf life. The recipe comes together easily, especially if you can find pre-cut butternut squash on sale.

2. Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup

A hearty one-pot dish of sausage, potatoes, and spinach that requires mere minutes of active cooking. Potatoes are always cheap, and you can use whatever sausage is on special that week.

3. Lentil Soup

To make this lentil soup, just throw some lentils and veggies in a pot; and that's it! It's flavorful, simple, and inexpensive. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread.

4. Lighter Spinach and Egg Drop Soup

A very easy and light but comforting egg drop soup that's also quick. It makes a great first course, and it doesn't get much cheaper than greens, broth, and eggs.

5. Winter Vegetable Minestrone

A tasty minestrone that is chock-full of healthy and budget-friendly veggies. In a pinch, use whatever vegetables and pasta you have available.

6. Healthy Asian Soba Noodle Soup

A light but flavorful Asian soup that utilizes healthful buckwheat noodles. It comes together fast, and cabbage can be substituted for bok choy if you can't find it at your local grocery.

7. Easy Vegetarian Chili

This simply delicious veggie chili doesn't take many ingredients or much effort. It's very affordable and good for you, making it a great option to feed a crowd or freeze for later.

8. White Bean and Roasted Mushroom Soup

A cost-effective and healthy mushroom soup that uses blended white beans to create a creamy base. Add in crumbled, cooked sausage or wilted greens to mix it up.

9. Easy Chicken Orzo Soup

A simple chicken soup that's sure to cure what ails you. Chicken thighs make it especially affordable, and it couldn't be easier to put together.

10. Broccoli Cheese Soup

This one-pot broccoli cheese soup is exceedingly easy, with no pureeing required. The addition of dairy makes this a rich and creamy soup, and the ham is optional.

11. Italian Wedding Soup

A flavorful Italian soup with just a few ingredients and a few simple steps. The classic dish has little pork meatballs that cook in the soup along with chickpeas, spinach, and orzo.

12. Cauliflower Soup

A surprisingly hearty cauliflower soup that is a twist on the classic chowder recipe. Cauliflower replaces potatoes for a low-carb option, while still making a creamy and rich soup.

13. Black Bean Soup With Avocado, Orange, and Cucumber

A very fast and very easy bean soup that's full of fiber and protein. Plus, beans are cheap! Don't skimp on the creative toppings, and blending this soup is optional.

14. Whole Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Did you know you can make a pumpkin soup by roasting a whole pumpkin with the ingredients inside? Impress the whole dinner table with very little effort!

15. Corn Chowder

A fresh and delicious corn chowder that is a cinch to make. This inexpensive recipe can be made with frozen corn if fresh isn't available.

16. Avocado Spinach Soup

A pretty green soup that is smooth and creamy while still being healthy and light. The recipe only requires a couple of avocados, and the other ingredients are low cost. It can be served chilled or warm.

17. Tortellini Soup

A super quick soup with prepared tortellini (from the fridge section), tomato, and spinach that's sure to please even picky eaters. It makes for a nice presentation with almost no effort.

18. Goulash

A thick and flavorful beef stew that tastes great over noodles. Homemade goulash calls for affordable ground chuck and a few other ingredients, and comes together in a single pot. Be sure to scale this recipe down if you're not feeding a big group.

19. Potato Leek Soup

A classic potato leek soup that also happens to be very inexpensive. Don't forget to add fun toppings like cheese, green onions, and bacon.

20. Carrot Ginger Soup

This healthy carrot ginger soup has a light sweetness with a kick from the ginger. Just simmer the ingredients together, blend, and you have a beautiful dish that goes great with a salad or bread.

What are your favorite cheap and easy soup recipes? Share a bowl in comments!

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20 Cheap and Easy Soup Recipes (3)

20 Cheap and Easy Soup Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to make your own soup? ›

And even though canned soup is relatively inexpensive, you can cut your cost in half by making it yourself. Here is a simple vegetable soup recipe that makes up to 6 servings.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

What is the number one soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What is the best soup to eat everyday? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

What not to do when making soup? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Soup
  1. Boiling instead of simmering. You want a small bubble or two to rise to the surface of the liquid every few seconds. ...
  2. Not using enough salt. ...
  3. Ignoring water. ...
  4. Overcooking the vegetables. ...
  5. Adding tomatoes at the beginning. ...
  6. Neglecting to garnish. ...
  7. Not trying a pressure cooker.
Nov 19, 2014

Can you live on homemade soup? ›

Typical soup diets are fad diets that are not backed by science. They may have health risks and other drawbacks. Eliminates healthy foods: Experts agree that an all-soup diet would eliminate otherwise healthy food groups, such as fruit and grains, and lead to nutrient deficiencies and imbalances.

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

What does apple cider vinegar do in soup? ›

Is your homemade soup missing something? Add a splash or two of ACV when the soup is done cooking. The vinegar helps lift and highlight flavors. Pickle with ACV.

Why do Chinese eat so much soup? ›

Sweet soups such as tong sui are enjoyed for their aroma, mouthfeel, and aftertaste. Many soups are eaten and drunk as much for their flavour as for their health benefits and touted for their purported revitalizing or invigorating effects.

What is the oldest soup? ›

In Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), there is an award-winning restaurant called Wattana Panich, where you can order and then eat a beef and goat soup that is 49 years old.

What are the 4 main soups? ›

There are four main categories of soup: Thin, Thick, Cold and National. These types of soup are widely recognised in today's modern kitchen.

What brand of soup is healthiest? ›

Amy's Organic Low Sodium Lentil Vegetable Soup is one the healthiest canned soups because it's made with non-GMO, organic ingredients, is low in sodium, and is a great source of protein and fiber. With 11 grams of plant-based protein and 8 grams of fiber in one can, this lentil vegetable soup is filling and nutritious.

Is it OK to eat homemade soup everyday? ›

The great news is that if you are intentional about what you put in your soup, you can ensure that you're getting tons of nutrients for fewer calories than most other meals. Studies have even shown that soup is a contributing factor in losing weight, maintaining weight goals, and lowering the risk of obesity.

How much weight can you lose on a 7 day soup diet? ›

Broth-based soup diets generally last for 7 days. However, some can last as long as 10–14 days. Over that time, proponents of a broth-based diet claim you can lose up to 10 or even 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg). On a broth-based soup diet, cream-based soups are restricted, as they're higher in calories and fat.

Does making soup save money? ›

Making your own soup takes time, but it gives you complete control over the ingredients and how you prepare them. Homemade soup can also save you money compared to canned soup. Cook a large batch of soup, then freeze small portions for meals that you can heat quickly.

Is it cheaper to make your own food or eat out? ›

Is It Cheaper to Cook or Eat Out? For those who want a quick and easy answer: It's generally cheaper to cook food at home than eat out.

Is cooking for yourself actually cheaper? ›

In contrast, if you spend around $100 per week on groceries and cook all your meals at home, your monthly food expenditure would be around $400. That's a potential saving of $50 per month or $600 per year!

How much should I charge for homemade soup? ›

And for most dishes, the formula goes, the food costs should be about 33 percent. So if the ingredients of the soup cost $1, charge the diner $3.

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