Dinnertime Solutions: Stress-Free Soups

Quick Italian Spinach and Pasta Soup opens in a new tab Recipe opens in a new tabSoup is a natural go-to when the temperature start to dip, but that’s not the only reason to reach for a big bowl. Soups are some of the easiest one-dish recipes you can make, meaning the mad dash for dinner after a long day is a thing of the past. Plus, soups are chock-full of good-for-you ingredients like hearty whole grains and tender vegetables (sneaky or otherwise).

Pro Tips and Tricks

Use leftovers. Don’t throw away little bits of chopped vegetables or that slightly less-than-perfect celery. Every bit of veggie added to the pot will help create a flavorful soup, and you might find a new favorite combination. These tiny bits also make great additions to Homemade Vegetable Broth opens in a new tab.
Grab a rind. Rinds from hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano can add a ton of depth to any soup. Try your hand at this technique with Chicken Noodle Soup with Parmigiano-Reggiano Broth opens in a new tab.
Load the pantry. Staples like broth, canned beans and diced tomatoes will make putting dinner together a snap. Try them in our Zesty Black Bean Soup opens in a new tab.
Pasta, please! Adding pasta to soup makes it more of a meal. Try different shapes depending on your soup, like fusilli for chicken noodle or orzo for butternut squash soup opens in a new tab!
Purée power. Veggie-based soups can take on a new life with the use of an immersion blender. (You can use a regular blender, too, but be sure to prep the soup in batches.) After blending, add shredded cooked chicken, fresh herbs or a swirl of cream.
Slow cooker for the win. It's the ultimate time-saver. Toss your ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a pot full of delicious soup.