Fall (a.k.a. the season of soup) is well upon us! For some, this season might be a handful of weeks, while others will get a blissful few months of crunchy leaves before the snow starts to fall. But either way, this exciting time of year means lots of warm, delicious soups filled with veggies, potatoes, hearty broth, and delectable sausage, chicken, and more. As the cold weather drives us inside, our thoughts turn to the warmth of soup and its many forms. So here are 5 delicious soups you can make as you and your family hibernate this fall and winter.

Why Soup?

Soup is generally thought to be as old as cooking itself. And since it’s just combining various ingredients into a broth or water, the tradition of soup spans all cultures – each with their own special spin and flavors. 

Historically, soup is also a go-to as a cure and comfort for anyone who is feeling under the weather. The restorative and nutrition-packed beef, vegetable, or chicken broth typically used in soups make them a great meal for anyone who is sick and unable to keep down more solid foods. From Asia to Europe to the Americas, soup is a part of weekly and monthly meals and can serve as an appetizer or main dish.

 

Zuppa Toscana

Even though the real zuppa Toscana soup has more hearty veggies, Olive Garden introduced Americans to a different version packed with Italian sausage, bacon, kale, and potatoes. This slightly spicy soup is quick and easy and incredibly comforting on a cold fall or winter night!

Ingredient List:

• 1 lb Italian sausage casing removed and cut into bite- size pieces
• 2 large russet baking potatoes sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 strips of thick cut bacon
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 2 cups kale veins removed and cut into thin ribbons
• 32 oz can chicken broth
• 2.5 cups water
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Make this recipe at home using the All Things Mamma Zuppa Toscana recipe!

Potager Soup

A little less familiar to the average American dining room table, potager soup was invented as a way to use up all the extra vegetables from the potager (French for vegetable garden). This scrappy soup is deliciously smooth (Note: you might need an immersion or high powered blender to get the right texture). 

Ingredient List:

• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 large leeks, cleaned and cut into 1″ pieces
• 2 pounds small potatoes, halved
• 1 14 ounce jar chopped tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable stock
• 1 cup sour cream
• Sea salt, to taste

Make your own potager soup using The Elliott Homestead recipe!

Seafood Gumbo

A delightful combo of the traditional French dish bouillabaisse and Choctaw stew, gumbo has been around for hundreds of years and has a few different variations (depending on how you like it). Typically filled with spicy sausage and different types of seafood, gumbo has a good kick and ages like fine wine. For seafood gumbo, you can use any seafood you like, but shrimp are the go-to, and it’s best served over rice!

Ingredient List: 

• 2 pounds unpeeled fresh large shrimp
• 1/2 cup butter, divided
• 2 (32-ounce) cartons chicken broth
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 (12-ounce) bottle amber beer
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup green onion tops
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pound lump crabmeat

Make your own gumbo using the Spicy Southern Kitchen seafood gumbo recipe!

Homemade Tomato Soup

Americans will be very familiar with the classic tomato soup. Canned or homemade this staple of the American household is often paired with grilled cheese sandwiches and sits in the memories of those who spent an afternoon or two home sick from school. As always, homemade is best, so this recipe from Joy Food Sunshine is perfect!

Ingredient List: 

• 3 pounds tomatoes
• ½ onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup fresh basil
• 2 Tablespoons salted butter
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 quart vegetable broth
• ¼ to ½ cup heavy cream (optional)

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Leaning heavily on the traditional Hungarian ingredient of paprika, this soup is hearty, boldly flavorful, and an all-around cozy and nutritious meal. This creamy soup is complemented by a dash of vinegar and packed with mushrooms and herbs.

Ingredient List:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds mixed mushrooms (see recipe)
• 2 cups diced yellow onions
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour *gluten free notes below
• 4 teaspoons sweet mild paprika*
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, or 2 teaspoons dried dill
• kosher salt and cracked black pepper
• ½ cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley

Make Soup a Tradition

We always advocate for family meals and with soup it’s easy to incorporate a family tradition into your daily family time. Soups are recipes that are passed down generation to generation and are often part of some our most core memories. Turn any one of these soups into a family tradition by making it a regular part of the menu, or setting aside a day to gather with the family and make the soup in bulk to freeze or can and save for later. No matter how chilly it gets in your area of America, we hope you have the chance to enjoy one of these amazing soups.

Tell us about it! Have a favorite soup or tried one of these recipes? Let us know by emailing us at contactus@americanmom.com or tag us on Instagram (@WeAreAmericanMom).