25 Quick and Delicious Soup Recipes You Can Make in 45 Minutes or Less
From broccoli-cheddar to chicken-and-rice, we've gathered our favorite comforting yet quick soup recipes here.
1 of 25
When sweater weather arrives, there's nothing like a big bowl of hearty soup to warm you up from the inside out. Even those living in more temperate climates would agree that there's just something about making a pot of soup that can satisfy the soul.
Ahead, discover our favorite recipes that were made with weeknight dinners and grab-and-go lunches in mind, because being short on time doesn't mean you need to give up the benefits of a hearty bowl of soup. In the mood for a light and summery seafood chowder? Check out our fast and tasty recipe for Summer Smoked Salmon Chowder; by calling for hot-smoked salmon rather than fresh fish, we managed to cut the total cooking time in half without taking anything away from the rich yet delicate flavor of this one-pot supper.
One pattern you may spot in this gallery of quick and cozy soup recipes is the addition of potent, power-house ingredients like Parmesan rinds, sausage, curry paste, and miso. Coaxing the most flavor out of just a handful ingredients is what makes these soups stand out for being fast and delicious. Consider the Shortcut Italian Wedding Soup, pictured here, which takes just 40 minutes from start to finish and uses both umami-rich Parmesan rind and hot Italian sausage. It challenges the notion that a soup needs to simmer for an hour plus in order to be outstanding.
You'll find many options for vegetarian soups and even vegan soups in this gallery, and what's especially great about soups like our Corn Chowder with Zucchini and Orzo is that you can serve easy proteins on the side; by offering shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked crumbled bacon as an optional add-on, both vegetarians and omnivores can enjoy this dish and customize their bowl as they like.
Considering the fact that each of these soups was selected with everyday dinners and lunches in mind, you won't find recipes laden with heavy cream, butter, and other hidden calorie culprits. Instead, recipes like our Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup use ingredients such as starchy potatoes to create a silky texture to this kid-friendly soup. Keep reading to discover more soup recipes that are easy to make and will fill you up all while leaving a little in the pot for a leftover lunch.
1 of 25
2 of 25
Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup
Some things in life are just better together, and the pairing of broccoli and cheddar cheese is the perfect example. In this nutritious soup, the starch from simmering potatoes bring creaminess to the texture without needing to add any milk or cream.
2 of 25
3 of 25
Green Curry Chicken Soup
Smart shortcuts like prepared green curry paste, rotisserie chicken from the supermarket, and quality store-bought broth are the secret to making this nutritious 30-minute soup both quick and delicious.
3 of 25
4 of 25
Smoky Sweet Potato Soup
Make a batch of this piquant sweet potato soup on Sunday evening and enjoy a hot lunch all week long. Canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce lend the soup its signature smokiness, while apples and leeks provide a hint of sweetness and buttery smooth texture when puréed.
4 of 25
5 of 25
Creamy Leftover Turkey and Rice Soup
This 25-minute version of the beloved Greek soup avgolemono uses shredded meat and pre-cooked white rice to create an extra-speedy soup that's perfect for using up the roast turkey leftover from Thanksgiving or last night's roast chicken.
5 of 25
6 of 25
Lemony Quinoa-and-Spinach Soup
Often thought of as a grain, quinoa is technically a seed and it is rich in complete proteins and a naturally gluten-free option for soups, salads, even cereal. This bright and warming soup featuring the super seed is so good for you, you'll be able to taste the vitamins!
6 of 25
7 of 25
Spanish Clam Soup
An earthy smokiness from ingredients like paprika and cured ham imbues every spoonful of this brothy seafood soup featuring clams. It's great to make for a small wintertime dinner party where there will be a basket of toasted Italian bread to pass around the table.
7 of 25
8 of 25
Chinese Corn-and-Mushroom Soup
Soups that feature umami-rich ingredients like this one tend to be on the faster side. This comforting bowl of corn-and-mushroom soup takes just 20 minutes to make, and thanks to differently textured ingredients like corn, tofu, and shiitakes, every bite will be more interesting than the last.
8 of 25
9 of 25
Stracciatella with Brown Rice
Stracciatella translates to "little shred" in Italian, and it refers to the shreds of egg that appear in the soup after whisking a mixture of beaten eggs and Parmesan cheese into hot broth towards the end of cooking. This extra-satisfying version takes just 15 minutes to make when you start with cooked brown rice.
9 of 25
10 of 25
Creamy Broccoli-and-Spinach Soup
Leeks and Dijon mustard add a subtle creaminess to this puréed soup without having to resort for butter or heavy cream, making it a perfectly light and healthy option for a weeknight dinner. The added texture of pretzels for garnish keep this soup feeling fun and easy (and tasting delicious, too).
10 of 25
11 of 25
Corn Chowder with Zucchini and Orzo
This quick plant-based chowder won't take more than 30 minutes to make and is great for using up a glut of late-summer produce like corn and zucchini.
11 of 25
12 of 25
Spring Pea Soup with Asparagus and Potatoes
This soup is perfect for the shoulder season between spring and summer when fresh greens and tender produce is starting to crop up but it's still chilly enough outside to want a steaming hot bowl of soup.
12 of 25
13 of 25
Coconut-Miso Mushroom Soup
Coconut milk adds richness and body to this creamy (yet cream-less) vegan soup, while mushrooms and miso paste add earthiness and depth.
13 of 25
14 of 25
Spicy Southwestern Soup with Chorizo
This clever and easy lunchtime soup was made for commuting with you to the office. You simply add your solid ingredients to a jar before you leave for work, then fill the rest of the jar with water and microwave until it is hot and ready to eat!
14 of 25
15 of 25
Summer Smoked-Salmon Chowder
Relying on already-cooked proteins is a great way to get a healthy dinner on the table in the shortest amount of time. Here, hot-smoked salmon pairs perfectly with rich and creamy summertime chowder.
15 of 25
16 of 25
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Greens
Mild cauliflower shows off its chameleon-like skills in this puréed soup that is silky smooth without containing a touch of heavy cream.
16 of 25
17 of 25
Spicy Peanut Shrimp Soup
Pressed for time and in something of a dinnertime rut? In as little as 15 minutes, you can bring something new to the table with this soup that combines aromatics like ginger, red chiles, and fish sauce with tender poached shrimp and velvety peanut butter.
17 of 25
18 of 25
Tortellini Soup with Peas and Spinach
Store-bought cheese tortellini makes this weeknight-ready soup a cinch to make. Additions like frozen peas and fresh baby spinach help to fortify the broth with essential nutrients.
18 of 25
19 of 25
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
This classic recipe has been redesigned with the busy home cook in mind, so this 35-minute soup calls for shortcuts such as store-bought broth and quick-cooking boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
19 of 25
20 of 25
Curried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Cilantro
Red lentils cook quickly and break down into a creamy, starchy texture. Here, aromatic curry powder is added as the main flavoring along with plenty of garlic, shallots, and coconut milk. Bright bites of dried cherry and cilantro punctuate every spoonful when used as a garnish.
20 of 25
21 of 25
Spiced Chickpea and Tomato Soup
Both spiced and spicy, this blender soup is a warming winter option that will take less than 30 minutes to whip up. Roasted red peppers added to the tomato mixture before blending help deliver a hint of sweetness while a dollop of sour cream on top of each bowl works to tame the flame.
21 of 25
22 of 25
Bread Soup with Spring Vegetables
This quick dinner is inspired by ribollita, the long-simmering Tuscan soup made from bread and vegetables. This brothier version with peas and zucchini is perfect for springtime.
22 of 25
23 of 25
Polenta-and-Spinach Soup
This vegetarian soup made from cornmeal will certainly stick to your ribs. It's great as is but topping it off with additional proteins such as cooked crumbled sausage, bacon, or shredded rotisserie chicken would all be tasty additions.
23 of 25
24 of 25
Creamy Asparagus Soup
This simple blender soup is the perfect recipe to make in mid-spring when the blooms are back and the asparagus is snappy and fresh.
24 of 25
25 of 25
Coconut-Curry Monkfish Soup
Impactful ingredients like fresh ginger, cilantro, clam juice, and coconut milk contribute to how this soup can develop so much flavor in just 35 minutes. Adding rice to the serving bowls before ladling this seafood chowder on top is a great option if you're looking for a heartier meal.