Grab Your Biggest Pot! My 25 Best Soups, Stews & Chilis

You say “po-tay-to,” I say “po-tah-to”… but we can all agree this one’s a winner. Leeks sauté until sweet and tender, then simmer with potatoes and get blended silky smooth. Short ingredient list, huge payoff. Craving crunch? Crumble a little bacon on top.

Thanksgiving in a bowl! Squash and carrots simmer with a whisper of cinnamon. That gorgeous orange hue comes from beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A for your eyes, skin, and immunity. Serve it as a holiday starter or stash it for weekday lunches.

White beans are the magic here. They replace the cream and cheese, so it tastes indulgent while delivering 6 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per cup. Swirl in Greek yogurt for even more protein, add a side of roasted salmon, and dinner is done.

Garlic lovers, this one’s for you. There are 22 cloves in this pot! (Don’t worry… roasting turns them soft and mellow.) A splash of light coconut milk makes it rich without any dairy. Keep crusty whole-grain bread nearby because you’ll definitely want to dunk.

Pantry staples, meet comfort food! Some of the corn and potatoes get blended right into the broth, turning it thick and creamy without a drop of milk or butter. The rest stay chunky, so every spoonful has a little of both. Add a pinch of cayenne for a gentle kick or smoked paprika for subtle smokiness. Ready in 30 minutes, and easy to make vegan with veggie broth.

My go-to “food cure” for a nasty winter cold. Tender chicken and whole-grain noodles mingle with carrots, celery… and parsnips, my little twist on the classic. They add subtle sweetness and an extra hit of fiber. One bowl can cheer up the worst case of the sniffles.

Meet chicken noodle’s zesty bestie! A big squeeze of lemon wakes up the broth, so every spoonful tastes like sunshine on a gray day. My family requests this one constantly.

Need something that warms you down to your toes? A rainbow of veggies, shredded chicken and cannellini beans make this bowl seriously filling. Want it heartier still? Stir in cooked pasta. Eater’s choice!

Inspired by the eating patterns of the world’s longest-lived people. Nine superstar ingredients go into the pot, from beans and kale to broccoli and cauliflower, and each cup gives you 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Got extra veggies hanging out in your crisper drawer? Toss them in, too. This soup welcomes everyone!

Plant-based never felt so indulgent. Some chickpeas stay whole for texture while the rest get blended into a naturally creamy base. Cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and coriander will make your kitchen smell ah-mazing. Love it? Try my Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew next!

The Italian classic gets a superfood makeover! Carrots, green beans, kale, cannellini beans, and whole-grain pasta simmer in a rich tomato broth with thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. You get 8 grams of fiber per cup, and I promise it does NOT taste like healthfood. It tastes like a great, big warm hug in your belly.

One of my oldest tricks: kick off dinner with a bowl of veggie soup. It takes the edge off your hunger, so you’re less likely to overdo it on whatever comes next. Pick from three seasoning combos, make a big pot on Sunday, and you’re set for the week. Scrumptiously good for you!

Fiber superstar alert! One 2-cup bowl delivers a whopping 16 grams, plus 14 grams of protein. Brown lentils, skin-on sweet potato, carrots, spinach and tomatoes simmer with warm spices and a squeeze of lemon. Blend part of the pot if you like it creamier. This one is vegan and freezer-friendly, too.

This takeout classic was SO fun to recreate. Shiitakes, tofu, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts swim in a peppery, vinegary broth, with ribbons of egg for extra protein. Ready in about 25 minutes… faster than delivery!

Your gut is like a garden, and fermented foods help it thrive. Miso is made from fermented soybeans, so every sip is a little love note to your belly bugs. Pro tip: stir in the miso at the very end, off the heat, to help protect those live cultures.

Fire-roasted tomatoes give the broth a subtle smokiness, and sweet bell peppers, carrots and onions simmer with tender chicken until every spoonful is rich and savory. Finish with creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime to wake it all up. Feeling ambitious? Top it with homemade tortilla strips that are baked, not fried, for the ultimate crunch.

A Bauer house staple and a beautiful “marriage” of mini turkey meatballs, tender greens and broth. Parmesan gives the meatballs a savory boost, and a big handful of spinach goes in at the end. Thirty minutes, one pot… happily ever after!

Lean ground turkey, kidney beans, and your favorite jarred salsa. That’s it! It’s on the table in 10 minutes with 23 grams of protein per cup. Going meatless? Swap in veggie crumbles, lentils, or extra beans.

Sweet meets smoky! Butternut squash, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes and shredded chicken simmer with cumin, smoked paprika and a pinch of cinnamon. Shortcut: rotisserie chicken works great. The recipe makes about 14 cups, so plan on leftovers –yay!

Two surprise ingredients: cocoa powder and cinnamon. They add a mysterious depth nobody can quite name. Pumpkin puree makes it thick and velvety, and with turkey, white beans and spinach, each 2-cup bowl packs 27 grams of protein. Don’t tell the pumpkin skeptics what’s in it… just let them taste.

Load it up in the morning, come home to dinner. Chicken breast, black and kidney beans, corn, red bell pepper, and tomatoes simmer low and slow with cumin, chili powder and oregano. That’s 32 grams of protein per serving! Eat it by the bowl or pile it onto loaded nachos or slider buns.

All that Buffalo wing flavor, minus the deep fryer. Lean ground chicken or turkey simmers with hot sauce, carrots and celery, then gets a dollop of whipped blue cheese topping made with light sour cream or Greek yogurt. Stovetop and slow cooker directions included.

No meat, no problem! Black, pinto, and kidney beans team up with peppers and carrots for a vegan bowl filled with fiber and protein. I like mine fired up with jalapeños, but you’re the boss of the heat.

Ridiculously easy to prep. Ladle a steamy bowl and then top with light sour cream or Greek yogurt, cilantro, avocado and salsa, then curl up on the couch. Fuzzy slippers optional… but highly recommended.