As soon as temperatures start to drop and the sun sets earlier, it is officially soup season. From classics like split pea and potato soup, to more inventive soups like roasted delicata squash soup and taco soup, there’s nothing like digging into a cozy bowl. One way we love to enjoy soups during autumn is with a soup exchange so we can try new recipes and share delicious bites with all of our friends. So, whether you plan to make a cozy soup for your family tonight or host a soup exchange of your own, here are some of our favorite fall soup recipes to make all season long. Bonus: Each of the fall soup recipes is ready in under an hour, so you can spend more time with your loved ones.
How to host a soup exchange
Sometimes called a soup swap, a soup exchange is an event where guests bring a batch of homemade soup and share it. It’s a budget-friendly gathering that brings people together, while also allowing each guest to return home with a tasty parting gift. A soup exchange is a great way to enjoy the company of friends and family outside of a traditional holiday gathering.
There are a few versions of a soup exchange you can host. A classic soup swap has guests bring their soup already divided up into different freezer-friendly containers. Guests can then choose which soups they want to take home while they chat about their recipes. There is sometimes soup sampling, but the goal here is to go home with lots of different soups to freeze and enjoy.
Another option is potluck style, where guests bring their soups in servable containers—like a slow cooker, large pot, or pressure cooker—and they sample soups on the spot. The host can leave out little tasting cups and spoons for guests to sample. Then, each guest can fill to-go containers with their favorite soups at the end. As a bonus, the host can have guests vote on their favorite soups and crown a winner at the end of the event.
Fall soup recipes to try
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Amp up a classic chicken noodle soup full of celery, carrots, and chicken, with the addition of fresh thyme and dill and a sprinkle of poultry seasoning. This recipe comes together in 45 minutes and is essential on a cold night (or when you have a cold any time of year!) Plus, you can’t forget the hearty egg noodles that really bring the nostalgic touch to this kid-friendly dish.
Get the recipe: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Save this recipe for game day or any chili (pun intended) day. Cannellini beans and corn bring heft to the pot, while chopped green chilies, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika lend Mexican-inspired flavors. Serve it in a big bowl and top it off with tortilla strips, sour cream, lime, cilantro, and sliced jalapenos for the ultimate bite.
Get the recipe: Creamy White Chicken Chili
Red Lentil Soup with Naan Croutons
This vegetarian dish brings the flavors of your favorite Indian takeout into soup form. Ginger, curry powder, coconut milk, and lentils simmer away in a pot with soft sweet potatoes. Top it off with reimagined naan bread—cut into small pieces and toasted in the oven until crouton-like.
Get the recipe: Red Lentil Soup with Naan Croutons
Shepherd’s Pie Soup
Turn your go-to cold-weather dinner into a decadent soup. Full of all the usual suspects of a Shepherd’s Pie—like beef, peas, and carrots—the addition of pillowy gnocchi brings the potato to the pot in a truly inventive way. Bonus: It’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Shepherd’s Pie Soup
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
Toss everything in an Instant Pot and it’s ready to eat in 30 minutes. Hearty chicken, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, corn, and rainbow slaw simmer in this filling soup, but the real secret is a jar of salsa that packs in a lot of flavor with just one ingredient. Serve alongside hot sauce, lime wedges, and warm tortillas for the perfect dinner.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale
A soup that really feels hearty enough to be a meal on its own is a real winner in our book. This one is packed with flavor from sweet Italian chicken sausage, frozen cheese tortellini, and hearty veggies like carrots, celery, onion, zucchini, red bell pepper, and kale. Bonus: This cozy soup comes together all in one pot in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Sausage Tortellini Soup with Kale
Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Butternut Squash
If you love a classic broccoli cheddar soup, give it an autumn spin with the addition of butternut squash. The soup is a little bit thicker and sweeter thanks to the fall favorite vegetable, and a sprinkle of mustard powder really elevates the whole bowl to new heights.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Butternut Squash
White Bean and Kale Soup with Crispy Salami
With just five ingredients and 30 minutes of your time, you’ll have a wow-worthy soup that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Blending half of the kale and bean soup is a great hack to bring a ton of flavor and creamy texture to the bowl without a ton of extra ingredients and work.
Get the recipe: White Bean and Kale Soup with Crispy Salami
Creamy Vegetable Soup
Riced cauliflower and a touch of cream help make this vegetable soup ultra creamy. We love that this recipe leans into pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, and frozen veggies, so you can make this anytime you need to whip up something cozy and comforting in 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Creamy Vegetable Soup
Lasagna Soup
This is a social media viral recipe for good reason. Every spoonful has all of the elements of your favorite lasagna, like noodles, cheese, tomatoes, and meat, with a fraction of the effort. Shortcuts like a can of whole peeled tomatoes, jarred pesto, and jarred tomato sauce bring a ton of flavor to a 35-minute soup that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours.
Get the recipe: Lasagna Soup
Ribollita Soup
If you have leftover bread lying around (maybe from after your holiday meal), this is the perfect use-it-up recipe. With carrots, onions, celery, zucchini, kale, and herbs to freshen it up, the bread soaks in all the goodness of the soup, creating a crave-worthy, comforting meal.
Get the recipe: Ribollita Soup
Black Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings
If making a soup from scratch seems daunting, this recipe is for you. Start with two boxes of black bean soup and make them your own with just a few additions. Spinach helps freshen the shelf-stable soup, while homemade corn dumplings bring an amazing hearty texture and flavor everyone will love.
Get the recipe: Black Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings
For more fast fall soup recipes, check out our full soup collection.
