21 Best Soup Dinner Ideas for Families

Full of flavor, made with real ingredients, and packed with vegetables, find the ultimate soup dinner ideas your whole family will love!

5 from 9 votes

I believe everyone should have a handful of go-to soup dinner ideas on hand for cold nights, or when you just need some comfort food.

With so many different kinds of soup, you can always whip up a delicious dinner without even needing to go to the store. Even better, soup recipes are easy to make, and they always hit the spot on cold, winter nights.

My favorite part about soup dinners is how easy they make it to sneak veggies into my kids’ diets. Distracted by hearty flavors of chicken or beef, the rich taste of cheese, and the comforting texture of pasta or potatoes, your kids won’t even realize they’re eating vegetables. In fact, they’ll probably ask for seconds. Especially if they have tortilla chips to dip.

Soup also makes an incredible meal prep recipe. I like to make huge batches all at once. Then, I divide the soup into two batches and freeze half leaving the rest in the refrigerator. Throughout the week, leftovers can be packed into quick thermos containers for healthy lunches you can take to school and the office.

Chicken Soup Recipes

The classic comfort food, chicken soup is a staple in any repertoire. Often made with protein, veggies, and a carb source, chicken soup is a healthy, easy dinner idea.

Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Soup

4.95 from 20 votes

Often requested by my kids, this Easy Stovetop Chicken and Rice Soup is made in one pot and uses pantry staples. Even better, it’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Make This Recipe Chicken Udon Soup

5 from 14 votes

Made with udon noodles, shitake mushrooms, ginger, and no MSG, Chicken Udon Soup brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your own kitchen.

Make This Recipe chicken stew Easy Chicken Stew

5 from 34 votes

This easy chicken stew recipe is full of high-quality protein and nutrient-dense veggies for the ultimate comfort food you will feel good about feeding your family.

Make This Recipe Homemade Pho for Beginners

5 from 46 votes

Warm, comforting, and full of flavor, this Easy Homemade Pho comes together quickly and brings all the flavors of your favorite takeout meal right to your kitchen.

Make This Recipe How to Make Chicken Broth

5 from 15 votes

An essential base for soups, casseroles, and more, chicken broth, is a kitchen must. Once you see how easy it is to make, you’ll never buy canned varieties again!

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The 70+ recipes inside Chicken. It’s What’s For Dinner will make everyone’s favorite white meat more exciting to eat!

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Beef Soup Recipes

Beef soups are hearty, full of protein and always a huge hit with the whole family.

Easy Taco Soup

5 from 20 votes

Loaded with flavor and ready in just 30 minutes, this taco soup combines everything you love about tacos in a bowl!

Make This Recipe Instant Pot Chili Mac

5 from 26 votes

Delicious, hearty, and comforting, this chili mac comes together in the instant pot to create the perfect recipe on nights when you don’t have time to cook.

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Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

Meal prep doesn’t get any easier than slow cooker soup dinner ideas. These recipes can be prepped the night before, so dinner is waiting for you when you get home the next day.

closeup of white bowl filled with red chicken and pasta soup Slow Cooker Parmesan Chicken Soup

5 from 36 votes

Made with pasta, chicken, and cheese in a delicious tomato broth, this Parmesan Chicken Soup is the perfect, easy weeknight recipe!

Make This Recipe Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup

5 from 17 votes

This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is lighter in calories and fat than traditional pot pies. A shortcut to traditional pot pies, this recipe is a weeknight staple!

Make This Recipe overhead view of a large bowl of turkey or chicken noodle soup Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

5 from 22 votes

This easy soup is a delicious twist on a comfort food classic. Made with real ingredients and made in the slow cooker, you’ll never go back to canned soup again!

Make This Recipe a bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup Loaded Baked Potato Soup

The perfect hearty, comfort food soup dinner idea, this Loaded Baked Potato Soup can be made in the slow cooker and prepped ahead of time for a later meal.

Make This Recipe Tomato Veggie Soup

5 from 23 votes

A healthy twist on a childhood classic, Slow Cooker Tomato Soup packs a serving of vegetables in every bowl. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich for added calcium and tons of fun.

Make This Recipe large blue bowl of potato soup Easy Crockpot Cheesy Potato Soup

5 from 8 votes

This crockpot cheesy potato soup delivers an easy-to-prepare meal with flavors your family will love.

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Paleo Soups

Made with whole foods, paleo soups are full of vegetables and low in carbs for a warming recipe that won’t leave you feeling sluggish and groggy.

chili topped with avocado Easy Red Chicken Chili

4.91 from 459 votes

This Easy Chicken Chili recipe is made without beans for the easiest kid-friendly comfort food that is filling and quick to prepare.

Make This Recipe Paleo Chili | the Original All Meat & Veggie Chili

5 from 217 votes

Whole30, and kid-approved, this Paleo Chili recipe is one of my most requested dishes ever. Throw the ingredients in a skillet and get ready to have an epic dinner.

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Related: How to Freeze Soups

Pasta Soups

Lasagna Soup

4.97 from 30 votes

This Lasagna Soup dinner idea is everything you love about traditional lasagna without the need to spend time layering noodles or washing a million dishes. Just throw everything in the crockpot, and you’re done! Make This Recipe Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

5 from 19 votes

Brimming with veggies, beans, and pasta in a robust tomato broth, this Vegetarian Minestrone Soup is perfect for meatless Monday or any time you want a nutritious, filling meal.

Make This Recipe a cup of tomato tortellini soup Easy Tortellini Soup

5 from 22 votes

Warm, cheesy, and comforting, this tortellini soup recipe is always a crowd-pleaser. Even better, leftovers make fantastic freezer meals or thermos lunches! Make This Recipe

Vegetarian Soups

Cheap, easy, and filling vegetarian soup recipes are an easy way to satisfy any guest!

two bowls of healthy enchilada soup with tortilla chips in it Healthy Enchilada Soup

5 from 21 votes

This Healthy Vegetarian Enchilada Soup has half the calories of the traditional recipe but all of the flavor. Containing just the right amount of flavor and heat, it’s an easier way to eat enchiladas.

Make This Recipe Ramen with Zucchini Noodles

5 from 14 votes

Made with real ingredients and low-carb zucchini noodles, this Ramen soup recipe is a healthy spin on an old college favorite.

Make This Recipe Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

5 from 22 votes

Low in calories, this Fire Roasted Tomato Soup is the easiest way to sneak vegetables into your kids’ diet! It’s so delicious they’ll be asking for seconds.

Make This Recipe overhead shot of small bowl of vegetable soup Mexican Vegetable Soup with Beans

5 from 23 votes

Hearty, filling, and full of vitamins, nutrients, and fiber, this Mexican Bean and Vegetable Soup is the perfect budget-friendly comfort food meal on a cold day.

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Can’t Get Enough Recipe Ideas?

I’ve got you covered with all the best family-friendly dinner ideas organized by main protein.

Best Soup Recipes

Laura Fuentes

Full of flavor, made with real ingredients, and packed with vegetables, find the ultimate soup dinner ideas your whole family will love!

5 from 9 votes

Servings 4

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Chicken and Rice Soup

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • ½ cup celery, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme , or poultry seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 32 ounce containers chicken stock
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 cup white rice
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, from a rotisserie chicken

Instructions 

  • In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook and stir until the veggies are soft, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the chicken stock and water. Bring to a boil. Add the rice and chicken meat, stir and cook over medium-low heat until the rice is tender, about 25 to 30 minutes

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowlCalories: 417kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 31gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 226mgPotassium: 781mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5188IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 3mg

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