21 Thick, Stick-To-Your-Ribs Soups Made For January

Thin, brothy soups just don’t cut it in January. The colder weather necessitates something that sticks to your ribs, especially when it’s dark by five. These are the kinds of soups you make when you want a bowl that feels like a meal and keeps you full through the evening. They’re creamy, hearty, and thick enough to stand on their own without a side dish.

Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup

This soup lands thick and smooth, with enough body from beans to make a bowl feel substantial. The carrot base keeps it familiar, while the fennel adds a subtle lift that keeps it from feeling dull, which works well when January meals start to blur together.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup

Buttercup Squash Soup

Rich and creamy without feeling overdone, this squash soup leans into coconut milk and gentle Thai flavors that linger without overpowering. It’s the kind of soup that stays satisfying through the whole bowl and makes sense on cold nights when you want something that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Buttercup Squash Soup

Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

This soup balances savory and slightly sweet in a way that feels comforting but not heavy. The cheddar gives it weight, while the leeks and apple keep the flavor moving, making it a solid choice when January calls for something cozy that still feels fresh.
Get the Recipe: Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

Creamy Coconut Delicata Squash Soup

Smooth and rich with a light natural sweetness, this soup feels steady and filling without leaning too far in any direction. It’s a good option when you want something creamy that doesn’t rely on heaviness to feel like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Coconut Delicata Squash Soup

Escarole Soup

With greens, beans, sausage, and pasta all in one bowl, this soup eats like dinner instead of a starter. It’s the kind of soup that sticks with you through the evening, which makes it especially welcome during long January stretches.
Get the Recipe: Escarole Soup

Creamy Root Vegetable Soup

This soup has a dense, comforting texture that comes from a mix of winter vegetables working together. It feels grounded and filling, making it easy to rely on when the weather calls for something substantial that still feels simple.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Root Vegetable Soup

Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup

This version leans into a smooth, rich tomato base with roasted garlic and basil rounding things out. It’s thicker than most tomato soups, which makes it feel more appropriate for January dinners rather than a quick lunch.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

The creamy tomato broth wraps around cheese-filled tortellini in a way that feels filling without being too much. It comes together quickly but still feels like something you’d want on a cold evening when you need dinner to do more than just hold you over.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup

This soup brings heat and creaminess together in a way that keeps each bite interesting. The orzo gives it weight, making it a good pick for January when lighter soups just don’t cut it.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup

Creamy Kabocha Squash Soup

Thick and smooth with gentle spice in the background, this soup feels rich enough to slow you down a bit. It’s the kind of bowl that makes January dinners feel intentional without needing anything extra on the side.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Kabocha Squash Soup

Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

This soup reads hearty from the first spoonful, with meat, pasta, and greens all pulling their weight. It’s filling in a way that makes sense for cold weather nights when you want dinner to feel settled and complete.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup

This soup leans creamy and full-bodied, with garlic bringing depth rather than sharpness. It works well when you want something blended and smooth that still feels like real food, especially in the middle of winter.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup

Thai Red Curry Soup

The broth carries enough richness to feel filling, with noodles making it hold up as a full meal. It’s bold without being overwhelming, which makes it easy to enjoy on January nights when you want something different that still sticks with you.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Soup

Irish Stout Onion Soup

Deep and savory with a thick, comforting base, this soup feels slow and grounding. The cheddar and croutons add heft, making it a good fit when January weather calls for something that lingers.
Get the Recipe: Irish Stout Onion Soup

Lasagna Soup

This soup brings all the comfort of lasagna without the layering, landing thick and filling in every bowl. It’s especially appealing when you want something familiar that still feels like it belongs in soup form during winter.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup

Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup

This soup carries bold, familiar flavors in a creamy base that makes it feel more filling than a standard broth. It works well for January dinners when you want something comforting that doesn’t feel repetitive.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup

Nacho Chicken Soup

Thick, creamy, and packed with familiar flavors, this soup feels like a full meal from the first bite. It’s a good option when January dinners need to feel substantial without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Nacho Chicken Soup

Tomato Couscous Soup

This soup sits somewhere between light and hearty, with couscous giving it enough structure to feel filling. It’s a good choice when you want something simple that still holds up during colder days.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Couscous Soup

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

This soup leans thick and comforting, with potatoes giving it staying power and ham adding depth. It’s the kind of bowl that makes January nights feel easier and more settled.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

One-Pot Busy Day Soup

Packed with pasta, beef, and vegetables, this soup eats like a full dinner in one bowl. It’s especially useful in January when you want something filling that doesn’t require extra planning.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Busy Day Soup

Reuben Soup

This soup brings bold, familiar flavors together in a creamy base that feels rich and filling. It’s a good way to shake things up while still keeping dinner firmly in cold-weather territory.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Soup