Cooler weather has finally arrived here in Indiana, and if you live here you know what that means — it’s officially soup and stew season! The mornings are crisp, there’s a little bite in the air, the leaves are starting to turn, and all of a sudden a big, steaming bowl of comfort food sounds better than just about anything else.
We absolutely live for this time of year in the kitchen. The slow cooker comes back to the counter, the big Dutch oven gets a workout, and the whole house smells amazing for hours. There is just something about coming in from the cold and knowing you have a pot of something hearty simmering away that makes those shorter days and early sunsets so much better.
We’ve rounded up some of our all-time favorite soup and stew recipes here — the ones we make on repeat every fall and winter. These are the real keepers, the bowls that are sure to fill you up and heat you up too, whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or something to feed a crowd on a chilly Sunday.
Anything And Everything
You’ll find everything from creamy, cheesy comfort like our Mac and Cheese Soup, Creamy Cheddar Soup, and that indulgent Cheeseburger Soup that got us through those below-zero days here in Indianapolis, to hearty, stick-to-your-ribs bowls like Slow Cooker Hearty Sausage and Beans, Chet’s Trucker Stew, and Kielbasa Sauerkraut and Potato Soup. Craving something classic? Our Chicken Noodle Soup, Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup, The Best Vegetable Soup, and Classic Hot and Sour Soup never disappoint. And if you want a little kick, you’ve got to try the Smoked Sausage Nacho Soup, Spicy Tomato Soup, and Slow Cooker Spicy Kielbasa Cabbage Soup.
Let’s Get To It!
Most of these are slow cooker friendly, make fantastic leftovers, and freeze beautifully, so you can make a big batch now and have cozy dinners ready whenever that Indiana wind starts howling. So grab your favorite big bowl, slice up some crusty bread, and let’s dive in.
The List
1
Smoked Sausage Nacho Soup
I wouldn't change anything about this smoked sausage nacho soup.
This soup was fantastic. It made for the perfect bowl of happiness on a cold, dreary winter’s day. Just the right amount of seasoning. Just the right of cheese. And oh so creamy smooth. I should’ve doubled the recipe.
You have those cans of tomato soup just sitting there in the pantry. It’s not bad soup. But those cans have been sitting there for a reason. That soups needs a little something.
This soup hit the spot, starting with an absolutely divine-tasting broth. Tender, flavorful chicken and a surprise… chickpeas… round out a big bowl of happiness.
Four servings? Ok, maybe. You’ll think that before you taste this creamy cheddar soup. After that first taste you’ll be thinking… only one serving! And all mine!
No need to mess with making actual cabbage rolls, this soup combines all the same great flavors in a bowl without having to worry about stuffing boiled cabbage leaves.
This celery and cheddar soup takes only a few minutes to put together, and just a few hours to cook in a slow cooker. When it’s done, you get to enjoy a creamy, smooth cheesy soup that has a wonderful hint of celery.
This thick, creamy cheeseburger soup absolutely hit the spot on a really cold day here in Indianapolis. We’ve had temperatures well below zero for days now. Having a big batch of this soup on hand really helped warm us up!
To get such great mushroom flavor, this soup is packed with mushrooms, both fresh and dried that have been reconstituted. If you really, really love meaty mushrooms, then you’ll love this soup right out of the pot.
Don’t let the ‘spicy’ part scare you. For us, at least, this soup did not come out overly spicy at all. The flavors mellow a bit as the soup cooks throughout the day.
I have a slow cooker (er, crockpot) for the same reasons everyone else does. I on occasion like a great, easy meal that I can toss into the pot and not have to fuss with
Wow. Talk about the perfect bowl of soup for a cold day. This spicy tomato soup is just fantastic. Super tomato flavor, with a hint of basil, and a really, really nice spicy kick.
I found this classic hot and sour soup to be so fantastic I couldn’t stop eating it. The broth is insanely tasty despite being so easy to make. There’s a great contrast between the woodsy mushroom and citrus lime flavors.
The smoked turkey adds just the right something to this Lentil soup. The soup could stand on its own without it, it’s just that good, but add in the turkey and oh yes, soup happiness!
It’s easy, it’s fast, and it is absolutely packed with great flavors. And it doesn’t matter how you cooked your turkey, whether it be smoked, fried, baked or roasted.
I made a few of these Country Five bean soup mixes in a jar and gave them out as gifts. The soup is simple and tasty and quite hardy. I keep a few jars of the mix on hand for a quick and delicious soup any time.
