13 Easy Fall Soups to Make on Chilly Nights

As the crisp autumn air settles in, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of homemade soup. Fall is the perfect season to embrace hearty, warming soups that make you feel cozy and satisfied. Whether you’re looking for a classic favorite or something with a twist, these soups are easy to prepare and packed with seasonal flavors. Best of all, they’re budget-friendly and allow you to use simple, wholesome ingredients from your pantry. Plus, making soup at home means you can control the ingredients, ensuring they’re fresh and flavorful.

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Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin is the quintessential fall flavor, and pumpkin soup is a simple, creamy dish that is perfect for chilly nights. It’s a great way to use fresh or canned pumpkin and requires just a few ingredients like onions, garlic, and vegetable broth. Homemade pumpkin soup is so much fresher and more flavorful than canned versions, and it’s a great way to enjoy this seasonal vegetable. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and can be ready in under 30 minutes.

The basic ingredients include pumpkin, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and heavy cream. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and flavor.

Start by sautéing chopped onions and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add the pumpkin, broth, and spices, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the soup has thickened slightly, blend it until smooth, and finish with a swirl of cream before serving.

Butternut Squash Soup

Another fall favorite, butternut squash soup is naturally sweet and velvety, making it the perfect dish to warm you up. This soup uses just a handful of ingredients, and the earthy flavor of roasted squash shines through in every spoonful. Butternut squash is rich in vitamins and adds a beautiful golden color to the soup.

To make this soup, you’ll need butternut squash, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and a touch of cream or coconut milk for richness.

Roast the squash in the oven until tender, then sauté onions and garlic in a pot. Add the roasted squash, broth, and seasoning, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Blend until smooth, and stir in the cream or coconut milk for a velvety texture.

Chicken Noodle Soup

A classic fall soup, chicken noodle soup is not only comforting but also packed with protein and vegetables. This soup is easy to make with leftover chicken, and you can use any noodles you like. It’s an excellent choice for a family meal and can be customized with your favorite herbs and vegetables.

For this soup, you will need chicken, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, chicken broth, and egg noodles.

Start by sautéing the vegetables in a pot until they soften. Add the chicken and broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, add the noodles and cook until tender. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Apple and Carrot Soup

This slightly sweet and savory soup is perfect for fall when apples are in season. The combination of apples and carrots creates a smooth and velvety texture, with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s an unexpected but delicious soup that’s sure to become a fall favorite.

You’ll need apples, carrots, onions, vegetable broth, and a touch of ginger to add some zing.

Start by sautéing onions and ginger in a pot, then add the carrots and apples. Pour in the broth and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Blend until smooth, and serve with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream for extra creaminess.

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is hearty, nutritious, and easy to make with just a few pantry staples. Lentils are high in protein and fiber, making this soup a filling and satisfying choice. It’s a great option for vegetarians and can be easily adapted to suit different tastes.

The basic ingredients for this soup include lentils, carrots, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and tomatoes.

Start by sautéing the onions, garlic, and carrots, then add the lentils and tomatoes. Pour in the broth, bring it to a boil, and let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Season with herbs like cumin or thyme for added flavor.

Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup is a robust and satisfying dish that’s perfect for fall’s colder nights. The beef adds richness, while the barley provides a chewy texture that complements the tender vegetables. It’s a filling soup that’s great for dinner or meal prep.

To make this soup, you will need beef stew meat, barley, carrots, onions, garlic, and beef broth.

Sear the beef in a pot to develop flavor, then add the vegetables, barley, and broth. Simmer for about an hour until the beef is tender and the barley has absorbed the flavors. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with crusty bread.

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is a versatile and healthy option that’s packed with vegetables and beans. This Italian classic is the perfect way to use up any extra vegetables you have lying around, making it a great soup for clearing out your fridge. It’s also filling, thanks to the addition of beans and pasta.

You will need tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, beans, onions, garlic, pasta, and vegetable broth.

Start by sautéing the vegetables, then add the tomatoes and broth. Simmer for about 20 minutes, then add the beans and pasta, cooking until the pasta is tender. Season with basil, oregano, and salt.

Potato Leek Soup

Potato leek soup is a creamy, comforting dish that’s perfect for fall. The potatoes give the soup a creamy texture without needing any cream, while the leeks add a subtle onion flavor. This soup is easy to make and is a great option for meal prep.

For this soup, you will need potatoes, leeks, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and milk or cream.

Sauté the leeks and onions in butter until soft, then add the potatoes and broth. Let it simmer until the potatoes are tender, then blend until smooth. Add milk or cream for richness and season with salt and pepper.

Tomato Basil Soup

A fall classic, tomato basil soup is a perfect companion to grilled cheese sandwiches on a chilly evening. The fresh basil adds an aromatic element that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes. This soup is easy to make with just a few ingredients, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

The ingredients for this soup include tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, vegetable broth, and cream.

Start by sautéing the onions and garlic, then add the tomatoes and broth. Simmer for 20 minutes, then blend until smooth. Stir in fresh basil and cream for a velvety texture.

Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet potato soup is a sweet and savory dish that’s perfect for fall. The natural sweetness of the potatoes pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon and ginger. It’s a creamy and satisfying soup that’s great for lunch or dinner.

You’ll need sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and spices like cinnamon and ginger.

Sauté the onions and garlic, then add the sweet potatoes and broth. Let it simmer until the potatoes are soft, then blend until smooth. Add spices and season to taste.

French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a classic fall dish that’s rich, savory, and comforting. The caramelized onions give the soup a deep, rich flavor, and the melted cheese on top is the perfect finishing touch. It’s a great option for a cozy dinner on a chilly night.

The ingredients for French onion soup include onions, garlic, beef broth, thyme, and Gruyère cheese.

Start by caramelizing the onions in butter until golden brown. Add the broth and thyme, and simmer for 30 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with toasted bread and Gruyère, and broil until the cheese is melted.

Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is a hearty, filling soup that’s perfect for fall. The split peas break down into a creamy texture, making the soup naturally thick without the need for cream. It’s a great way to enjoy a plant-based, nutritious meal.

To make split pea soup, you will need split peas, carrots, onions, garlic, and vegetable broth.

Start by sautéing the onions and garlic, then add the split peas and broth. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower soup is a creamy and nutritious fall soup that’s easy to make. The cauliflower gives the soup a smooth texture, and it can be made vegan or with cream for richness. It’s a light yet satisfying soup that’s perfect for a cozy evening.

You will need cauliflower, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and cream. You can use coconut milk instead of cream for a dairy-free version.

Sauté the onions and garlic, then add the cauliflower and broth. Let it simmer until the cauliflower is tender, then blend until smooth. Add cream or coconut milk for richness and season with salt and pepper.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.