12 Cozy Soups and Stews for Chilly Nights

When the days get shorter and the air turns sharp, my stove barely gets a night off. A pot of soup simmering away is my favorite way to warm up the house, and it means lunch is already sorted for the next day.

I pulled together twelve of the soups and stews I make again and again once the weather cools. Some are quick enough for a busy weeknight, a few are worth a slow Sunday afternoon, and I tucked in my corn bread and homemade croutons because a bowl of soup is better with something on the side.

Every recipe below links to the full post with ingredients, step by step photos and all my notes.

1. Pumpkin Soup

This is the soup that made me brave enough to roast my own pumpkin puree, and I have never looked back. A pie pumpkin, shallots, thyme and a splash of sherry turn into a silky, golden soup that tastes like the very best of fall.

Save the seeds. Roasted until crunchy, they make the perfect topping and a pretty good snack while the soup simmers.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Soup

2. Mushroom Barley Soup

Mushroom barley is one of those soups that eats like a full meal. Plenty of mushrooms and vegetables simmer with pearled barley in vegetable broth, and a little red wine gives it a deep, savory flavor.

It thickens as it sits, so the leftovers make a hearty lunch. Just add a splash of broth when you reheat it.

Get the recipe: Mushroom Barley Soup

3. Winter Stew

On a cold, windy day this is the stew I crave. Chicken, black beans, tomatoes and vegetables come together with fresh basil and a little spice, and it is ready in about thirty minutes.

It is proof that a cozy stew does not have to take all afternoon.

Get the recipe: Winter Stew

4. Tomato Basil Bisque

Tomato soup and grilled cheese is a classic for a reason, so I put them together in one bowl. This creamy bisque gets its flavor from onion, garlic and a little white wine, and it is topped with crispy grilled cheese croutons and plenty of fresh basil.

It is the bowl I make when I want pure comfort with almost no effort.

Get the recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

5. Tomato Black Bean Soup

When the clocks fall back and dinner happens in the dark, this hearty soup fills the gap perfectly. Black beans and diced tomatoes are warmed with cumin, chili powder and a pinch of cayenne, then partly blended so the soup is thick but still has plenty of texture.

It is high in fiber and low in fat, and it is filling enough to be dinner on its own.

Get the recipe: Tomato Black Bean Soup

6. Annie’s very veggie soup

This was my very first blog post and it is still a weekly staple in our house. It is a simple, flexible vegetable soup simmered in an herby broth with tomato paste and beans.

Use whatever vegetables you have on hand, and serve it with a warm baguette for an easy, healthy weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Annie’s very veggie soup

7. Skillet Coq Au Vin

Coq au vin usually means hours of cooking and a sink full of pots. My skillet version keeps the rich red wine flavor with chicken, bacon, mushrooms, carrots and pearl onions, all made in one large, deep pan.

It feels fancy enough for company but is easy enough for a Sunday supper.

Get the recipe: Skillet Coq Au Vin

8. Seitan Bourguignon

I do not eat beef, but I still wanted a hearty stew on a cold winter night, so I created this vegetarian take on beef bourguignon. Seitan, mushrooms and pearl onions simmer slowly in red wine until the sauce is glossy and rich.

Spoon it over wide egg noodles and even the meat lovers at your table will go back for seconds.

Get the recipe: Seitan Bourguignon

9. Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are filled with long grain and wild rice, sauteed vegetables, mushrooms, Herbes de Provence and parmesan, then baked with a slice of cheddar on top.

They are hearty enough for a meatless dinner next to a bowl of soup, and they make an elegant side dish you can prepare ahead for the holidays.

Get the recipe: Stuffed Peppers

10. Spring Pea Soup

For a lighter bowl, this bright green soup of sweet peas, leeks, garlic and fresh tarragon comes together in under thirty minutes. Frozen peas work beautifully, so you can enjoy it any time of year.

It is a cheerful splash of color on a gray afternoon.

Get the recipe: Spring Pea Soup

11. Shucking Good Corn Bread

No soup night is complete without something warm on the side. My from scratch corn bread uses coarse corn meal and raw sugar for a wonderful texture, and with only eight ingredients it is just as easy as a box mix.

Bake it as muffins, mini loaves or in a square dish, whatever suits your dinner.

Get the recipe: Shucking Good Corn Bread

12. Homemade Croutons

Before you toss that day old baguette, turn it into croutons. Cubes of bread are tossed with olive oil, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper, then toasted until golden and crisp.

A handful on top of any soup on this list adds a satisfying crunch.

Get the recipe: Homemade Croutons

Tips for a cozy soup night

Most of these soups taste even better the next day, so make a full pot and plan on leftovers. Cool the soup completely, store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days, and reheat it gently with a splash of broth or water.

Many of them freeze well too. Leave a little room at the top of the container, freeze for up to three months and thaw overnight in the fridge. Soups with cream or pasta are best frozen before those are added.

Whichever pot you start with, I hope it brings a little warmth to your kitchen this season.