Winter is still lurking, refusing to pack up and leave, so you might as well fight back with a pot of something hot and hearty. These soups and stews will keep you full, warm, and slightly less annoyed that spring is taking its sweet time. This is the kind of food that sticks with you—thick, brothy, rich, or loaded with enough meat and vegetables to make a full meal. Some come together in minutes, others take their time simmering, but they all serve the same purpose: getting you through the last stretch of winter without resorting to yet another boring meal.
Chicken Lime Soup
This soup is a mix of chicken noodle and chicken tortilla soup, but with a little extra kick from lime and spices. It’s perfect for when you need something warming with a little bit of heat to clear your sinuses.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lime Soup
Escarole and Beans
A simple, classic Italian soup that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something satisfying. Escarole and creamy white beans come together in a garlicky broth, creating a meal that’s easy to make but still feels hearty.
Get the Recipe: Escarole and Beans
Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup
Packed with mushrooms, green beans, and spinach, this lentil soup is a quick and easy vegetarian option. The Instant Pot does all the work, making it a simple choice when you want something nutritious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup
Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup
If you love buffalo wings, this soup is for you. Spicy buffalo chicken, creamy cheese, and orzo pasta come together for a dish that has all the flavor of your favorite game-day snack in a warm, hearty bowl.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup
Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
This creamy tomato tortellini soup comes together fast, thanks to the pressure cooker. With plenty of cheese and basil, it’s rich, flavorful, and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
The mix of carrots and fennel creates a soup that’s rich in flavor but still light enough for spring. Cannellini beans add some extra heartiness, making this a good option for a vegetarian meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes come together for a thick, hearty soup. It’s a great way to use up winter produce while still making something flavorful and filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
Leek Apple Cheddar Soup
This soup blends the sweetness of leeks and apples with sharp cheddar cheese, creating a unique combination that works surprisingly well. A sprinkle of walnuts and cranberries on top adds extra texture and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Leek Apple Cheddar Soup
Hot & Sour Egg Drop Soup
This soup blends the bold flavors of hot and sour soup with the silkiness of egg drop soup, making it a two-for-one deal. The tangy broth is balanced with just the right amount of heat, while the delicate ribbons of egg add texture. It’s a quick and comforting meal that warms you up instantly.
Get the Recipe: Hot & Sour Egg Drop Soup
Easy One-Pot Lentil Stew
A no-fuss lentil stew that’s packed with flavor and nutrition. The lentils cook down into a thick, rich base while turmeric and spices add depth. Serve it over your favorite grain, or enjoy it as is for a hearty, plant-based meal that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Easy One-Pot Lentil Stew
Thai Red Curry Soup
This Thai-inspired soup brings together red curry paste, coconut milk, and rice noodles for a meal that’s big on flavor but easy to make. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a great way to warm up while skipping the takeout menu. Customize it with whatever vegetables or protein you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Soup
Romanian Cabbage and Smoked Meat Soup
This hearty soup is a staple in Transylvania during the bitter cold months, and for good reason. The combination of tender cabbage and smoky meat creates a deeply comforting dish that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for fighting off the last of winter’s chill, it’s a rustic and satisfying meal that only gets better as it simmers.
Get the Recipe: Romanian Cabbage and Smoked Meat Soup
Ground Beef Stew
This one-pot meal is packed with ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables, creating a thick and hearty stew that’s perfect for cold weather. Cooking everything in a Dutch oven helps develop deep flavors, making each spoonful rich and comforting. It’s a great choice when you need something filling without spending all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stew
Sausage Butternut Squash Tortellini Soup
This soup combines the heartiness of sausage with the subtle sweetness of butternut squash and the bite of cheese-filled tortellini. The broth is rich and creamy, making it a great option when you want something cozy without a ton of effort. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every last drop.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Butternut Squash Tortellini Soup
Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
This homemade version of a restaurant favorite brings together Italian sausage, crispy bacon, and a creamy broth packed with flavor. The best part? It’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that feels like it came straight from your favorite Italian spot.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Pie Crust Crackers
All the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie, but in soup form. With chunks of tender chicken, soft potatoes, and plenty of vegetables in a rich, creamy broth, this one is guaranteed to hit the spot. Topping it with pie crust crackers adds the perfect crunch, making it a meal that feels just as comforting as the original.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Pie Crust Crackers
Mushroom Barley Soup
This soup is built on earthy mushrooms and chewy barley, all simmered together in a rich tomato broth. The longer it cooks, the better it gets, making it a great option for meal prep or a slow weekend dinner. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own but pairs well with a simple salad or a slice of crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Barley Soup
Black Bean Stew
When you need something quick, easy, and packed with protein, this black bean stew is the answer. Made with pantry staples, it’s an affordable and satisfying meal that comes together fast. The thick, flavorful broth makes it a great option for cold nights when you need something filling without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Stew
Hearty Italian Sausage Spinach Soup
This one-pot soup is loaded with chunks of Italian sausage, creamy white beans, and plenty of spinach for a well-rounded meal. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it a great choice when you need something fast but still hearty enough to keep you full for hours.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Italian Sausage Spinach Soup
Pressure Cooker Beef Stew
This beef stew is everything you want in a winter meal—rich, comforting, and packed with slow-simmered flavor. The pressure cooker takes all the work out of it, tenderizing the meat and cooking everything in a fraction of the time. A splash of red wine deepens the flavors, making it taste like it simmered all day.
Get the Recipe: Pressure Cooker Beef Stew
Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade chicken noodle soup beats anything from a can by a mile. With tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful broth, it’s the kind of meal that brings comfort on even the coldest days. Whether you need a quick lunch or a remedy for a winter cold, this classic soup delivers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup
Spring Minestrone Verde
This lighter take on classic minestrone is packed with vibrant vegetables and tender beans. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a great choice when you want something fresh and hearty without spending all day cooking. A drizzle of olive oil on top brings everything together.
Get the Recipe: Spring Minestrone Verde
Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
This soup takes classic tomato soup up a notch with the addition of roasted red peppers and garlic. The end result is rich and velvety, with just the right amount of cream to balance everything out. Pair it with a grilled cheese for a simple, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Pan Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin soup doesn’t need much to shine, and this version keeps things simple with coconut milk, garlic, and a touch of coriander. Roasting the pumpkin brings out its natural sweetness, creating a soup that’s smooth, creamy, and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pan Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Sausage Tortellini Soup
This is the kind of soup that makes cold nights feel a little more bearable. With sausage, cheese tortellini, and a creamy broth, it’s filling enough to serve as a full meal. Toss in a salad and some garlic bread, and dinner is done in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Tortellini Soup
Spiced Carrot Ginger and Fennel Soup
The mix of carrots, ginger, and fennel creates a soup that’s bold and deeply flavorful. It’s lighter than a stew but still hearty enough to be a meal, making it a good option when you want something warm but not too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Carrot Ginger and Fennel Soup
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Asiago Soup
Roasting the cauliflower first gives this soup a richer flavor, while the asiago cheese adds just the right amount of sharpness. It’s thick, creamy, and exactly what you need on a cold evening. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or some warm bread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Asiago Soup
Hungarian Goulash
This slow-simmered stew is packed with tender chunks of beef, sweet paprika, and hearty potatoes. It’s a meal that only gets better as it cooks, filling your kitchen with incredible aromas. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or over egg noodles for a hearty winter meal.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Goulash
Greek Creamy Chicken Lemon Rice Soup
A bright and creamy soup that balances tender chicken with fresh lemon and rice. It comes together quickly, making it a great go-to meal when you need something comforting but don’t have hours to cook. If you have leftover rice or chicken, this is a smart way to use them up.
Get the Recipe: Greek Creamy Chicken Lemon Rice Soup
Vegetable Orzo Soup
This soup packs in plenty of vegetables alongside tiny orzo pasta, making it a hearty yet easy meal. It has the classic flavors of minestrone but with a lighter broth, perfect for days when you want something comforting but not too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Orzo Soup
Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup
The combination of roasted butternut squash, carrots, and fresh ginger gives this soup a smooth texture and bold flavor. It fills the house with a cozy aroma, making it just the thing for the final stretch of winter.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.