Tag: #Soups

Posted in #Recipes

19 Favorite Restaurant Copycat Soup Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

It’s cold outside, and you’re craving your favorite restaurant soup. Skip the drive, the wait and the bill, and instead whip up one of these hot, steamy copycat soup recipes that taste just like their restaurant counterparts. And hello, leftovers!

We have all the copycat favorites right here in this list. Expect the iconic soups from Panera Bread, like broccoli cheddar and tomato soup, plus copycat Olive Garden recipes, like their zuppa toscana or minestrone. But there are so many more copycat options, too, like Wendy’s chili, Cracker Barrel’s chicken and dumplings, and Red Lobster’s clam chowder.

Of course, serve these soups with some restaurant-copycat bread recipes. Whip up Cheesecake Factory’s brown bread, bread bowls from Panera, Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits and Olive Garden’s breadsticks.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Navy Bean Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When soup season hits our house, we have a steady list of recipes on rotation. We love all the classic homemade soup recipes because they’re affordable and easy to make in bulk, and they can use up those vegetables in your crisper! This Test Kitchen-approved navy bean soup is one of our favorites, and you might even already have all the ingredients on hand.

Soaking beans overnight is recommended when cooking dried beans, which this recipe calls for. Though it means having to plan ahead just a bit, you’ll never regret cooking dried beans from scratch. As the beans simmer with the rest of the ingredients, everything melds together to create a creamy, delicious soup base. A minimal number of other ingredients, time and simple seasoning are all it takes to make a heart-warming, tummy-filling soup.

Ingredients for Navy Bean Soup

  • Dried navy beans: Cooking dried beans is important for this recipe because the cooking liquid becomes part of the soup base. If you don’t have time to soak them overnight, you can quick-soak dried beans. Soak the rinsed beans in boiling water for just an hour.
  • Ham: Ham is important here, as it adds a whole depth of flavor to this soup. Navy bean soup is one of those great leftover ham recipes you’ll want in your back pocket to use up leftover meat!
  • Chicken broth: You can use store-bought or homemade chicken broth if you have the time. In a pinch, you can also use vegetable broth or even water.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

17 Dump Soup Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Some dinners start with a plan. Others start with a can of tomatoes and a prayer, and that’s when dump soup recipes become your secret weapon. They’re the kind of meals you pull together between errands, after work or on nights when sauteeing onions is one step too many. Just like shortcut soups, these recipes don’t ask for much. With a handful of pantry staples, a few minutes to combine everything and a little trust that it will all come together, dinner will be ready before you know it.

This collection has family-friendly dump soups inspired by tacos and hamburgers, vegetable-loaded minestrone and boldly flavored spicy sausage soup. Most are endlessly adaptable too. Swap in shredded rotisserie chicken for another meat or use a different canned bean or lentil if you don’t have the one the recipe calls for. Many of these easy soup recipes can be frozen for future meals—just make sure you know which soups freeze well and which you should refrigerate instead. If you are cooking for a crowd, these soups are easy to double since most start with canned and pantry-friendly staples.

Dump soups may be low on prep, but they’re not low on flavor. They work when you’re short on time, light on groceries or just need an easy dinner plan. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes them the best kind of comfort food.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

42 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals for Busy Nights

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These convenient make-ahead freezer meals are for anyone with a busy schedule. We know it can be challenging to find time to make delicious home-cooked meals when time is tight. Luckily, with a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy flavorful make-ahead freezer meals like aromatic lasagnas, melt-in-your-mouth pot roasts and slow-cooked stews.

Simplify meal prep with our delectable recipes for casseroles, pies and soups. They freeze well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave, ensuring you’ll always have access to easy weeknight dinners. Whether you’re planning for a busy week, stocking the freezer to prepare for your baby’s arrival or streamlining meal prep, these freezer-friendly recipes make for quick homemade meals.

Taste of Home

Posted in Kitchen Tips

How to Freeze Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Soup is the ultimate make-ahead meal. Because most homemade soups can be stored in the freezer for at least three months, it’s a great dish to make on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy for weeks to come. However, learning how to freeze soup isn’t as simple as tossing your chicken noodle in the icebox.

Here are a few tricks to freezing soup that ensure it’ll taste delicious after it’s thawed.

How to Freeze Soup

Hand using a ladle to transfer soup into a plastic freezer bag from a pot in a kitchen setting
Taste of Home

Step 1: Pick a small portion size

Freezing soup in one- or two-person portions helps the soup freeze faster. It’s the perfect size for a make-ahead lunch or dinner, too.

Step 2: Choose the right container

  • If you don’t like to wait for soup to thaw: Try the round, reusable kind like freezer-safe Twist ‘n Loc containers from Ziploc. When you’re ready to eat, run cold water over the outside of the container to loosen. The soup will pop right out into a stockpot or Instant Pot for easy reheating. You can also try Souper Cubes, which are like ice cube trays but for soup servings.
  • If you want to maximize freezer space: Ladle cooled soup into freezer-safe quart- or gallon-sized plastic bags. Freeze flat and stack once the soup is fully frozen. (This is one of our favorite freezer organization tips!)

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

The Best Soup Recipes of 2025

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The best soup recipes of 2025 are in! We combed through reader favorites to highlight our most beloved soups, from creamy classics to cozy, veggie-packed bowls.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

24 Instant Pot Soup Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When I first started using my Instant Pot, I knew that I would be able to cook tender pulled pork or beef stew in much less time than in the oven or on the stovetop. Those recipes were great, but what really surprised me was how many Instant Pot soup recipes I started to make. My favorite soup recipes, from chicken noodle to hearty chowders, were ready quicker yet had a deeper, slow-cooked taste I couldn’t get enough of.

Like other Instant Pot recipes, pressure-cooker soup recipes are pretty hands-off. Quickly saute aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot and celery; layer in the other ingredients; seal the pot; and set it to cook. The intensity of cooking under pressure draws out flavors from the ingredients, resulting in a well-seasoned soup. This collection celebrates that ease with a wide range of cozy electric cooker soup recipes, from spicy broths to creamy, rich bowls.

Since pressure-cooker soup recipes have the lid on the entire time, there is little evaporation. It’s best to follow a recipe specifically created for a pressure cooker, which will have adjusted liquid ratios accordingly. If you don’t mind experimenting, try these tips for converting slow-cooker recipes to an Instant Pot when you are short on time. Your next bowl of soup will be ready before you know it.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

27 Traditional Holiday Cookies You’ll Want To Bake Every Year

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Traditional Christmas and Holiday Cookie Recipes

If you ask us, holiday baking season is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s when we get to break out the royal icing, sprinkles and colorful candy pieces—and give all our favorite holiday cookies an extra special touch. And, while we always make sure to include something new in our roundup, there’s nothing better than a freshly baked batch of the classics.

If you ask us, holiday baking season is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s when we get to break out the royal icing, sprinkles and colorful candy pieces—and give all our favorite holiday cookies an extra special touch. And, while we always make sure to include something new in our roundup, there’s nothing better than a freshly baked batch of the classics. We’re talking buttery shortbreads, all different types of sugar cookies and, of course, plenty of gingerbread. If looking for a handful of recipes that rely on classic flavors and tried-and-true techniques, these are the ones to add to your repertoire. You’ll find snowballs, thumbprints, biscotti and more. No matter which cookies you decide to bake, spritz are a holiday must. The green and white tie-dye effect gives these classic cookies a modern-retro look, and the red sprinkles add a bit more holiday cheer.

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

30 Healthy Winter Soups to Warm and Fill You Up

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

As a dietitian surviving thriving in cold Michigan winters, soup season is a serious time of year. A steamy bowl of soup warms you from the inside out, and it’s one of the best ways to boost nutrition when fresh summer produce dwindles. These healthy winter soups pack nutrient-rich vegetables, whole grains and lean protein into every comforting bite. From soups made creamy with veggie purees to fiber-rich lentil and chicken noodle soups, you’ll find a flavorful soup here that fits your nutrition goals.

What sets these recipes apart is their focus on whole foods and from-scratch cooking. Using wholesome ingredients like homemade bone broth, herbs, spices and seasonal vegetables, like butternut squash, kale and carrots, these soups deliver valuable nutrition without being difficult to prepare. And because life doesn’t slow down when you’re hungry, you’ll find plenty of one-pot meals and slow-cooker soups that come together quickly, proving that healthy winter cooking can be both nourishing and doable.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Have you ever been digging into a chicken enchilada and thought, this would be even better if I were eating it with a spoon? No, is it just us?

Well, we took apart the beloved Mexican dish and reimagined it as a soup. We led with southwestern flavors from poblano peppers, cumin and enchilada sauce, and added lean protein from shredded chicken. This healthier, homemade take on enchiladas doesn’t require much more than popping the ingredients into a slow cooker and going about your day. But if you don’t have a slow cooker, we’ve got your back in our recipe variations below.

While comforting, this dish is fiber-and-protein-filled for a nourishing weeknight dinner (and you can easily freeze it for future meals.) We love it alongside some cornbread or margaritas for the adults.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup Ingredients

  • Anaheim or poblano peppers: These large, green peppers are more savory than spicy, adding smokiness and complexity to the flavors in the soup. Poblano peppers are slightly more spicy than Anaheims (although not by much)—both are relatively mild.
  • Onion: Aromatic and savory, onion (yellow onion is usually best in a soup) also adds a little touch of sweetness
  • Garlic: Bold and aromatic, garlic provides a key, savory flavor to this meal. Fresh garlic will have the strongest flavor, so opt for that over pre-minced garlic or powder.
  • Chicken: The primary protein in your dish, this chicken will be shredded for tender bites.
  • Chicken broth: This is the liquid base for your soup. Using chicken broth amplifies the savory flavors for a more dynamic dish.
  • Mexican diced tomatoes: This refers to diced tomatoes mixed with other ingredients, often green chilis. If you can’t find this, make your own mix of diced tomatoes and canned green chilis for a similar southwestern-inspired taste.
  • Enchilada sauce: Enchilada sauce typically includes flavors like chiles, tomatoes, cumin and oregano. It’s not usually that spicy.
  • Tomato paste: This paste helps increase the enchilada flavor with a very concentrated taste of tomatoes.
  • Chili powder: This is where you’ll get the heat and a little bit of smokiness.
  • Cumin: Earthy and warm cumin compliments the other flavors and spices in the enchilada sauce, helping the dish taste more vibrant.
  • Chipotle hot pepper sauce: While optional, a chipotle hot pepper sauce will, unsurprisingly, increase the heat, while also lending a savory, smokey flavor.
  • Cilantro: Bright and herbal, cilantro lifts the heavier flavors. If you don’t like the taste of cilantro, you can omit it.
  • Cheddar cheese: An optional topping, cheddar cheese has a sharp flavor that adds dimension to your soup. For best results, shred the cheese yourself!
  • Avocado: An optional topping, avocado can help tame the hotter flavors and add a rich, healthier creaminess.
  • Sour cream: An optional topping, sour cream can balance the heat from the chili powder and hot sauce while providing a well-balanced tang.
  • Tortilla strips: An optional topping, tortilla strips add a little extra crunch.

Taste of Home