30 Cheap Soup Recipes for Budget-Friendly Meals
30 Cheap Soup Recipes for Budget-Friendly Meals
Read Time: 16 mins
30 Cheap Soup Recipes for Budget-Friendly Meals
Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 9 servings (21/4 qt.) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When the weather turns cold, get cozy with a bowl of this butternut squash soup. The cream adds richness, but if you’re looking to cut calories, it can be omitted. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 157 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 3g protein. 3/30 Navy Bean Soup 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 2 hours 15
min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves navy bean soup! Beans were a commodity you did not survive without in the ’30s. This excellent navy beans and ham soup is a real family favorite of ours and I make it often. —Mildred Lewis, Temple, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 244 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 410mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 10g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable. 4/30 Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup 110 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Chicken
A good friend made us this rich, comforting soup after the birth of our son
Noodle Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A good friend made us this rich, comforting soup after the birth of our son. It was such a help to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (along with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 218 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 980mg sodium,
18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein
18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein. 5/30 Moroccan Chickpea Stew 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I’m invited to a potluck, I easily double or triple this healthy Moroccan chickpea stew to treat the crowd to an exotic dish of enticing, bold flavors. —Heather Demeritte, Scottsdale, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 217 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 9g fiber), 7g protein. 6/30 Chicken Barley Soup 24 Reviews Contest Winner
No question—this is my favorite barley soup!
Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No question—this is my favorite barley soup! It’s so filling that I serve it as a hearty main dish, and I have given the recipe to many of our friends and relatives. It simply tastes too good to keep to yourself! —Diana Costello, Marion, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 259 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 127mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 lean meat, 1 starch,
1 vegetable
1 vegetable. 7/30 Priscilla’s Vegetable Chowder 51 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Priscilla’s Vegetable Chowder Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 12 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the perfect soup to warm up with on a cold fall or winter day. It makes a big batch perfect for serving a crowd. —Jenna Jackson, Salt Lake City, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 281 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 853mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein. 8/30 Italian White Bean Soup 9 Reviews Contest Winner
I crave it all the time
Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A bowlful of this soup is so satisfying, it’s hard to believe it’s actually good for you, too. I crave it all the time. With lots of beans and potatoes, it’s filling and even hits the spot with meat lovers. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 164 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 714mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 8g protein. 9/30 Quick Mushroom Barley Soup 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 whole milk, 1/2 fat
TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I surprised my mother with a visit some years ago, and she was preparing this soup when I walked in. It was so wonderful that I asked for the recipe, and I’ve been fixing it ever since. —Edie Irwin, Cornwall, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 196 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 654mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 whole milk, 1/2 fat. 10/30 Fennel Carrot Soup 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved
MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings (2 qt.)
MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings (2 qt.) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This soup is perfect as a first course for a special-occasion dinner. It gets its delicious flavor from toasted fennel seeds—a pleasant complement to the carrots, apple and sweet potato. —Marlene Bursey, Waverly, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 117 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 989mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch. 11/30 Texas Black Bean Soup 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE
—Pamela Scott, Garland, Texas
OF HOME Total Time 4 hours 5 min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This hearty meatless stew made with convenient canned items is perfect for spicing up a family gathering on a cool day. It tastes as if it’s made with love and yet it requires so little time and attention. —Pamela Scott, Garland, Texas. Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 91 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 609mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. 12/30 Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Eric Kleinberg for Taste
Cooking for a vegetarian?
of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Frequently requested at family get-togethers, this rich and hearty soup is ready in a flash. Cooking for a vegetarian? Swap in vegetable stock for the beef broth. —Danielle Noble, Ft. Thomas, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 399 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 803mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 13/30 Greek Tomato Soup with Orzo 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe
Cajun seasoning boosts the flavor of
Creator: My recipe for manestra, which means orzo in Greek, is effortless and very easy to make. You need only a few steps to transform simple ingredients into a creamy one-pot wonder. —Kiki Vagianos, Melrose, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 299 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 882mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 12g fiber), 11g protein. 14/30 Red Bean Vegetable Soup 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 6 hours 15 min Servings 12 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cajun seasoning boosts the flavor of
this brothy soup
this brothy soup. The easy recipe makes a big batch that’s loaded with beans and fresh veggies. —Ronnie Lappe, Brownwood, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 158 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 8g fiber), 11g protein. 15/30 Vegetable Lentil Soup 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JULIA HARTBECK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 4 hours 45 min Servings 6 servings (about 2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a healthy slow-cooker soup that’s ideal for vegetarians and those watching their weight. Butternut squash and lentils make it hearty, while
herbs and other veggies round out the flavor
herbs and other veggies round out the flavor. —Mark Morgan, Waterford, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 217 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 8g fiber), 11g protein. 16/30 Meatball Soup Test Kitchen Approved Meatball Soup Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This meatball soup recipe is a hearty meal. It’s great for chilly days. —Sue Miller, Walworth, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 248 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Cooking for a vegetarian?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Cheap Soup Recipes FAQIs it cheaper to make your own soup?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
How can you make cheap soup recipes even more budget-friendly?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
What cheap soup recipes are the easiest to make?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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