6 Tasty Soups That Are So Easy to Make You Don't Even Need a Recipe (2024)

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• Cabbage

updated Sep 13, 2022

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It’s late and cold and you’re craving a hot bowl of homemade soup, but your fridge is bare. What to do? Pull out some chicken broth from the pantry and try one of these six ultra-quick and simple-yet-satisfying ways to transform it into dinner. Whether homemade or boxed chicken broth, these six easy soup recipes can be transformed into dinner.

Let’s Talk Broth

Chicken broth is one of those cupboard or freezer staples I almost always have on hand. It’s a savory, nourishing base that can be easily transformed into dinner — especially when you’re cooking for just one or two.

Now, let’s talk about chicken broth for a minute. Of course homemade is great; the taste and flavor of homemade chicken broth, fragrant with bay leaves and black pepper, cooked slowly with onion and carrots, is one of the more special things in the kitchen. A bag of chicken stock in the freezer is always a treat, and one that doesn’t go to waste.

However, you don’t need homemade broth for these six quick dinners. Boxed broth is a kitchen staple and one we wouldn’t want to find ourselves without since it so easily turns the leftover bits and bobs in a kitchen into dinner. Case in point? These six ideas. So which are you eating for dinner tonight?

1. 10-Minute Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is one of the easiest ways to transform simple chicken broth. This recipe just needs eggs, cornstarch, scallions, and soy sauce!

How To Make This Soup

Heat 1 cup chicken broth (optional: with 2 slices fresh ginger) until simmering. Remove 1/4 cup of the broth and whisk it with 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk back into the pot and simmer for 1 minute. Whisk 1 large egg with 1 additional teaspoon cornstarch. Keep the soup at a bare simmer. Slowly drizzle in egg while whisking. Let stand for 1 minute, then ladle into bowls and top with sliced scallions and a drizzle of soy sauce.

2. The Simplest Tortilla Soup

Lime juice gives an added kick to this soup, and shredded chicken and crunchy tortillas offer satisfying texture.

How To Make This Soup

Heat about 1 cup chicken broth until simmering. Add about 1/2 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken and cook until warmed through. Remove from the heat and squeeze in the juice of 1/2 lime. Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and cilantro.

3. Noodle Soup

Add chubby egg noodles or udon to boiling stock and cook. Stir in some greens or whatever vegetables you have on hand for a delicious quick soup.

How To Make This Soup

Heat about 1 cup chicken broth until simmering. Stir in a handful of udon, soba, or egg noodles, and simmer until cooked through or warmed. Stir in a handful of chopped greens and cook until just wilted. Optional: Finish with a little grated Parmesan and a dash of your favorite hot sauce.

4. Miso Soup

Miso paste gives chicken broth a rich and satisfying flavor to make a fast soup. It’s one of our absolute essential quick meals.

How To Make This Soup

Heat 1 cup chicken broth until simmering. Add about 1 tablespoon miso paste to a small bowl, then whisk in 1/4 cup of hot broth until smooth. Pour back into the pot and add chopped tofu and scallions, and heat just until warm.

5. Lentil and Sausage Soup

Spicy sausage, greens, and lentils kick this soup up a notch and make it extra filling!

How To Make This Soup

Heat some sliced chorizo or pork sausage in a saucepan. Once cooked, add about 1 cup chicken broth and heat until simmering. Stir in a handful of chopped greens and about 1/4 cup lentils. Serve with chili sauce.

6. Rice & Lemon Soup

With only five ingredients, this lemon-y chicken soup comes together in no time.

How To Make This Soup

Heat about 2 cups chicken broth until simmering. Add 3 tablespoons cooked white rice, and cook until heated through. In a separate bowl whisk together 1 egg and the juice of 1 lemon. Slowly whisk in about 1 cup of the hot rice and broth mixture, then return the mixture back to the pot.

Out of Broth? Make Your Own Chicken Stock

Your turn! What’s your favorite way to turn chicken broth into a quick meal?

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