From an egg drop soup recipe to beef stew, these meals will warm you up during the cold winter months
When there’s a chill in the air, there’s nothing better than comforting soups, stews, and, of course, chili. From chicken noodle soup to beef strew and even a white chicken chili recipe, these hearty meals and comfort food are perfect for the cooler months. Plus, they’re all one-pot meals that are perfect for busy weeknights. So bundle up, simmer down, and scroll on for our favorite slow cooker stews, two-step soups, chili recipes, and more.
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
For a quick take on a popular version of chili, we like Boulder Locavore's Instant Pot version. It only takes 15 minutes and you can make it mild or spicy, depending on your preference. Don't have an Instant Pot? No Worries! Try this version instead.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Does your soul need some homemade chicken soup? Jennifer Tyler Lee, the author of The 52 New Foods Challenge, has you covered. You can even pack it in a thermos, and send the kiddos to school with a warm and hearty lunch.
Instant Pot Chili
Love your Instant Pot? You'll love it even more once you try this chili recipe from The Bearded Hiker. Just sauté your beef, add your veggies, beans, and spices, and voila!
Related: 30+ Simple Pasta Dishes Everyone Will Love
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
This delish stew from Mindy’s Cooking Obsession is the perfect cure for a comfort food craving. Best of all, you can throw all the ingredients in the Crock Pot in the morning and have a warm meal ready when it’s time for dinner.
Chili Mac and Cheese Soup
If your kids can't get enough chili and they love mac and cheese, you can get the best of both worlds with this soup from Baking with Blondie! It comes together in about 30 minutes and is extra tasty in a bread bowl or sprinkled with some sharp cheddar.
Vegetarian Crock Pot Chili
There's no reason for vegetarians to be left out of the chili fun! This dish (which uses the crock pot!) includes three kinds of beans and is gluten- and dairy-free. Get the recipe here.
Cream of Tomato Soup
This soup from The Cake Chica is just what your grilled cheese needs! It uses the freshest ingredients and takes two—count ‘em, two steps. And if you have a blender or food processor, it's that much easier!
Slow Cooker Maple Chicken Stew
Your busy workdays just got better with this recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog. It’s bursting with healthy vegetables and flavors, and since it cooks all day in your Crock Pot, there’s not much work involved.
Related: 50+ Slow Cooker Recipes We’re Obsessed With
Japanese Noodle Soup
Ditch the questionable instant ramen and whip up your own with this recipe from Aviva Goldfarb of The Six O’Clock Scramble. Your little noodle lovers will love all the fresh flavors, like ginger and lime!
Cream of Broccoli Soup
More broccoli, please! That’s what the kids will be saying, thanks to this soup from Kitchen Sanctuary. It’s creamy and even has a couple of other veggies thrown in. Top with bacon for an extra treat!
Tuscan-Style Sausage Soup
Great news! This recipe from Prevention RD uses ingredients you probably have on hand. And there’s a healthy twist: low-sodium chicken broth, whole wheat pasta, and lots of variations if you want to add your fave veggies.
Mexican Street Corn Soup
This recipe from Closet Cooking is Mexican street corn (think: corn, lime, cheese, avocado) and is surprisingly easy to pull off. And, since you can use fresh or frozen corn and customize the spices to suit your family, you can whip this up any time of the year!
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
For fans of chicken pot pie, this Kitchen Sanctuary takes the cake. It has the same comfort-food flavors, and you can customize it with your kids’ favorite veggies. It’s also a cinch to make!
Tortellini, Spinach, and Black Bean Soup
Not only does this soup (courtesy of Jen at How To: Simplify) feature kid-friendly tortellini, but it also sneaks in some spinach for extra veggie points. It’s sure to warm you up, fill you up, and get the whole fam asking for seconds.
Related: Cast Iron Skillet Recipes You Need to Try This Winter
Lasagna Soup
If your family loves lasagna, you’ve got to give this soup from Boulder Locavore a try. It’s got all the same flavors, without the hours of preparation (Psst! It’s also great for gluten-free diets!).
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Simmer up a big helping of this delish soup from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook! It’s simple, so the kids can get involved in the cooking process—put them to work crushing tortilla chips!
Loaded Potato Soup
We’re willing to bet that this soup from Life Made Simple is going to be your new cold-weather staple. It’s thick, creamy, and just like a loaded potato with all the fixings! And did we mention it’s a quick and easy one-pot recipe?
Egg Drop Soup
If egg drop soup is your kids' fave thing to order at Chinese restaurants, you’re in luck. This recipe from One Lovely Life is a great homemade option. It can be made in no time and is a total crowd-pleaser.
Basic Beef Stew
This recipe, courtesy of Food Blogga, is the very definition of comfort food. It’s super easy and super tasty. You can make it ahead of time to wow kids and grownups alike.
Cheesy Roasted Vegetable Soup
The best way to eat more veggies? Slurp them! This soup from Kitchen Sanctuary is chock-full of healthy vegetables and cheesy to boot. Plus, the veggies have an extra oven-cooked flavor for a truly tasty meal.
Skinny Clam Chowder
Nix the usual heavy cream that comes with clam chowder. This recipe from Mireya at My Healthy Eating Habits is a healthier version of the classic, and it uses your slow cooker, so it’s a great set-it-and-forget-it meal.
Pasta Meatball Soup
Thanks to a few shortcuts, this recipe from Kim’s Cravings is super easy to make. Grab pre-made meatballs and jarred marinara sauce and you’re halfway there!
—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton
