25+ of the Best Easy Soup Recipes

There’s something magical about a bowl of homemade soup. After years of experimenting in my kitchen, I’ve gathered my favourite soup recipes that strike the perfect balance between ease and flavour. From quick 20-minute wonders to set-and-forget slow cooking creations, these are the soups that have earned their place in my regular rotation – and I’m thrilled to share them with you.

Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a hearty dinner, this collection has you covered. I’ve included everything from classic chicken and lentil (with my special twist!) to vibrant vegetarian options that even dedicated meat-eaters request seconds of. Some are creamy and indulgent, others are light and brothy, but each one has been tested and tweaked until it’s just right.

The best part? These soups are seriously simple to make. Most use store cupboard staples and seasonal vegetables, and I’ve included plenty of shortcuts and make-ahead tips I’ve discovered along the way. Many can be adapted for different dietary needs, and I’ve made sure to note where you can swap ingredients based on what you have on hand. So grab your favourite pot, and let’s dive into these cosy, comforting recipes that prove homemade soup doesn’t have to be complicated to be amazing.

Essential Equipment for Making Soup at Home

Let’s talk soup gear! After countless batches of soup, I’ve found you really don’t need much to make amazing soup at home. My most-used piece is a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven – it’s perfect for everything from sautéing vegetables to simmering stock. A good immersion blender is another game-changer, especially for creamy soups (and way less messy than transferring hot soup to a regular blender). Beyond these, you’ll just want a sharp knife for prep and some airtight containers for storing leftovers.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Homemade Soup

Over the years, I’ve picked up some tricks that take homemade soup from good to great. Always start with aromatics (onions, garlic, celery) and let them cook slowly – this builds an incredible flavour base. For clear broths, slow simmering is key to keeping the liquid clear. When adding pasta or noodles, I usually cook them separately and add them to each bowl to prevent them from getting soggy. And here’s my favourite tip: keep a parmesan rind in the freezer to toss into simmering soup – it adds amazing depth to almost any variety.

Freezing and Storing Soup

Most soups are perfect for batch cooking and freezing – it’s like giving a gift to your future self! I always let soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Cream-based soups can sometimes separate when frozen, so I often freeze them before adding the cream and stir it in when reheating. Label everything with the date and type of soup (trust me, all frozen soups look surprisingly similar!). Most soups will keep well for up to three months in the freezer, though they rarely last that long in my house.

1
Steaming Tom Kha soup in a white ceramic bowl
Quick and Easy Tom Kha Soup
Classic Thai Tom Kha soup simplified: Creamy coconut, zesty prawns, and rice noodles ready in 15 minutes – a flavour-packed meal with minimal prep.
Check out this recipe
2
Tomato, Red Pepper and Coriander Soup with Nachos
This delicious tomato, red pepper and coriander soup works so well with the cheesy nachos.
Check out this recipe
3
Red Leicester and Broccoli Soup
A creamy, delicious and easy to make Red Leicester and broccoli soup.
Check out this recipe
4
Easy 5 ingredient leek and chorizo soup in a white bowl on a wooden table
Leek and Chorizo Soup
Creamy, comforting leek and chorizo soup with only 5 ingredients
Check out this recipe
5
Carrot and Ginger Soup
Fiery carrot and ginger soup thickened with cannellini beans
Check out this recipe
6
Homemade watercress soup
Simple Watercress Soup
Watercress soup with nutmeg, made with just six ingredients and ready in under 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
7
Leek and potato soup on a wooden table in a black bowl
Classic Leek and Potato Soup
The classic, creamy leek and potato soup.
Check out this recipe
8
Roasted squash soup In a white bowl
Roasted Squash Soup
Roasted squash soup with garlic and rosemary, topped with cream, chilli oil and pancetta.
Check out this recipe
9
Parsnip and chestnut soup With cheese on toast on the side
Parsnip and Chestnut Soup
A delicious, seasonal parsnip and chestnut soup.
Check out this recipe
10
Curried lentil soup What to have for dinner tonight
Curried Lentil Soup
Warming lentil soup with coriander, cumin and curry powder. Delicious topped with yoghurt.
Check out this recipe
11
Leek and ricotta soup Topped with chilli oil
Leek and Ricotta Soup
A simple and delicious soup with leek, onion, potato and ricotta.
Check out this recipe
12
Cauliflower Cheese Soup
Delicious, smooth cauliflower cheese soup made without milk or cream.
Check out this recipe
13
Chilled Beetroot Soup
A refreshing chilled beetroot soup topped with pickled red onions, radish, feta, dill and edible flowers.
Check out this recipe
14
Thai Noodle Soup
A fragrant and delicious Thai noodle soup with ginger, garlic, chilli and lemongrass.
Check out this recipe
15
English Onion Soup with Cheesy Croutons
This English onion soup is a delightful vegetarian twist on the classic French onion soup, with brandy and vegetable stock.
Check out this recipe
16
Three-cornered leek soup Top view with flowers and cream
Three-Cornered Leek Soup
An easy and delicious soup using foraged three-cornered leeks.
Check out this recipe
17
Celery Soup
A delicious, simple vegetarian soup with just a handful of ingredients.
Check out this recipe
18
Rich Mushroom Soup
Check out this recipe
19
Miso Soup with Noodles and Stir-Fried Veg
A delicious, comforting miso broth with noodles and tofu, topped with stir fried mushrooms, courgette, sugar snap peas, pan choi and spring onions.
Check out this recipe
20
Roasted Beetroot, Onion and Thyme Soup
A delicious beetroot soup with great depth of flavour thanks to the pre-roasting of the vegetables.
Check out this recipe
21
Smooth spinach soup garnished with fresh herbs
Spinach and Nutmeg Soup
This vegetarian (can be vegan) spinach and nutmeg soup is ready in 15 minutes and extremely tasty!
Check out this recipe
22
Bottom-of-the-Fridge Soup with Leftover Vegetables
An incredibly versatile and delicious vegetable soup recipe
Check out this recipe
23
Thai Green Noodle Soup with Pan Fried Sea Bass
A simple and flavourful fish dish, ideal for weeknights
Check out this recipe
24
Potato Soup
Simple ingredients make this delicious soup – enjoy!
Check out this recipe
25
Creamy homemade Crab and sweetcorn chowder
Crab and Sweetcorn Chowder
A simple one pot crab and sweetcorn chowder, ready in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe


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Hi there!

I’m Harriet, writer and cook, and I’m so pleased to have you here! I love nothing more than cooking delicious food and sharing it with the world. You can find out more about me here.