Soup knows no season. Regardless of the time of year, it can make a flavorful meal with just a few ingredients. But when the days are shortened, and chilly weather begins to settle in, a bowl of soup can also be a comforting choice. It’s warm, hearty, and, best of all, easy to make. Of course, there are some intense recipes out there, but the beauty of soup lies in its simplicity. With a small collection of herbs and aromatic vegetables and a good soup pot, you can create a world of possibilities.

Whether you’re in the mood for something creamy or a rich and flavorful broth, there are lots of options to choose from. Most recipes are also adaptable, so you can customize them to your liking. You can add in your favorite protein to make a heartier soup or a few peppers to spice it up. A quick look into the pantry is the best place to start when the craving for soup hits. Luckily, the recipes below include basic ingredients and only a few steps to create a delicious and easy-to-make soup.

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cans of black beans
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery rib
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables by chopping the onion, carrot, celery, and red pepper (be sure to remove the stem and seeds first). Then, mince all of the garlic.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil on medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and pepper and cook until tender, then add the garlic.
3. Stir in the black beans, vegetable broth spices, and salt and pepper to the pot and set the stove to simmer.
4. Remove 2 cups of the soup from the pot and lightly puree in a blender
5. Stir in pureed mixture to the soup in the pot and continue to simmer.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste.
7. Serve soup topped with avocado or a dollop of sour cream

Tuscan Sausage & Kale Soup

Ingredients

• 6 cloves garlic
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 2 cans navy beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 bunch of chopped kale
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot, stir in onion, salt, and pepper, and cook until tender.
2. Add in Italian sausage, breaking up until crumbled, and cook fully.
3. Add in garlic and Italian seasoning.
4. Stir in diced tomatoes with the juice, navy beans, and chicken stock, and simmer.
5. Turn off the stove, add kale, parsley, and lemon juice to taste, and stir until well-mixed.
6. Serve soup with a side of crusty bread and good butter.

Creamy Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

• 8 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
• 2 bags frozen peas and carrots
• 1 package of fresh cheese tortellini
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Shaved parmesan cheese
• Olive oil

Instructions

1. Add broth to a large pot and bring to a light boil.
2. Add frozen vegetables.
3. Add tortellini and cook until tender.
4. Turn stove down to a simmer, add heavy cream, salt, and pepper, and stir.
5. Serve soup topped with shaved parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.