5 Hearty Soup Recipes That Are Delicious and Filling

When the weather turns chilly, or you just crave a comforting meal, nothing hits the spot quite like a bowl of hearty soup. Soup isn’t just a starter; it can be a complete and satisfying meal, especially when packed with wholesome ingredients. Forget those thin, watery broths – we’re talking about thick, flavorful soups that will warm you from the inside out. Here are five hearty soup recipes that are both delicious chilean food and filling:

1. Classic Beef Stew:

Beef stew is the ultimate comfort food, a rich and savory blend of tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a deeply flavorful broth. It’s a classic for a reason – it’s simply delicious.

• Ingredients: Beef stew meat (chuck is a good choice), olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and flour (optional, for thickening).

• Instructions: Sear the beef in olive oil until browned on all sides. Remove the beef and set aside. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in the same pot until softened. Add garlic and tomato paste, and cook for another minute. Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender. Add potatoes during the last hour of cooking. If desired, thicken the stew with a slurry of flour and water.

• Hearty Tip: For extra depth of flavor, try adding a splash of red wine to the broth.

2. Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons:

This isn’t your average tomato soup. This version is rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. The grilled cheese croutons add a delightful crunch and cheesy goodness that takes this soup to the next level.

• Ingredients: Canned crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, onion, garlic, basil, heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, bread, and cheese (cheddar or your favorite melting cheese).

• Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic in butter until softened. Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Stir in heavy cream, salt, and pepper. For the grilled cheese croutons, butter one side of each bread slice. Place cheese between two slices of bread, butter-side out. Grill until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Cut into cubes and serve with the soup.

• Hearty Tip: Roast the tomatoes before making the soup for an even deeper, sweeter flavor.

3. Lentil Soup with Sausage:

Lentil soup is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein and fiber. Adding sausage takes it from healthy to hearty and adds a delicious savory element.

• Ingredients: Lentils (brown or green), Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

• Instructions: Remove sausage from casings and brown in olive oil. Remove the sausage and set aside. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in the same pot until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add lentils, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Return the sausage to the pot and heat through.

• Hearty Tip: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version.

4. Chicken Noodle Soup with a Twist:

Chicken noodle soup is a classic for a reason, but you can elevate it with a few simple additions. Adding roasted vegetables and egg noodles creates a truly comforting and filling soup.

• Ingredients: Chicken (rotisserie chicken works well), chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, egg noodles, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

• Instructions: Roast carrots, celery, and onion in olive oil until slightly tender. Shred the chicken. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, roasted vegetables, shredded chicken, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then add egg noodles and cook according to package directions.

• Hearty Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for a bright and refreshing flavor.

5. Loaded Potato Soup:

This creamy and decadent soup is pure comfort food. Topped with cheese, bacon, and sour cream, it’s a truly indulgent treat.

• Ingredients: Potatoes (russet or Yukon Gold), chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, butter, onion, garlic, cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, chives, salt, and pepper.

• Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic in butter until softened. Add potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Stir in milk, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Cook until heated through. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon crumbles, sour cream, and chives.

• Hearty Tip: For a thicker soup, use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes before blending.

These five hearty soup recipes are perfect for a chilly evening or any time you crave a comforting and filling meal. Get creative with your toppings and additions to make them your own!