12 Budget-Friendly Soup Recipes That Are Easy and Delicious

You're looking for budget-friendly soup recipes that won't break the bank. You'll find 12 easy and delicious options, from classic tomato to hearty lentil soups. These recipes use affordable ingredients and simple techniques, making them perfect for a frugal meal.

As you explore these options, you'll discover how to make nourishing and flavorful soups with minimal expense, and you're about to find out which one will become your new favorite.

1. Simple Tomato Soup Recipe

Classic comfort food made with fresh tomatoes and herbs.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried basil.
5. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
7. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or crusty bread.

2. Easy Lentil Soup Recipe

Hearty and comforting, this lentil soup is a perfect budget-friendly meal option.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in a little water until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and thyme to the pot.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
4. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

3. Quick Chicken Noodle Recipe

Simple and comforting chicken noodle soup perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces egg noodles

Instructions

1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large pot.
2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot.
4. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Add the egg noodles to the pot and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until tender.
6. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
7. Return the chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

4. Vegetable Broth Soup Recipe

Delicious and healthy vegetable broth soup made with various vegetables and spices.

Ingredients

• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 large onion
• 4 cups of water
• 2 potatoes
• 1 large can of diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Chop the carrots, celery, and onion into small pieces.
2. In a large pot, sauté the chopped vegetables and garlic in a little bit of water until they're tender.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, potatoes, water, and thyme to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

5. Hearty Minestrone Soup Recipe

Hearty Minestrone Soup is a classic Italian soup made with vegetables and beans.

Ingredients

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can cannellini beans
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 can vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Pasta of choice

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and cook until vegetables are tender.
3. Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add pasta to the pot and cook until al dente.
6. Serve hot and enjoy.

6. Fast Black Bean Recipe

Quick and nutritious black bean soup made easy.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Chop the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper into small pieces.
2. In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper in a little water until softened.
3. Add the black beans, vegetable broth, and cumin to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

7. Classic Potato Soup Recipe

Creamy and comforting, this classic potato soup is a budget-friendly delight.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until softened.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Add diced potatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
6. Stir in milk and cook over low heat until heated through.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped herbs or chives if desired.

8. Creamy Broccoli Soup Recipe

Creamy broccoli soup is a healthy and delicious budget-friendly option.

Ingredients

• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until softened.
2. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
3. Add broccoli florets and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften.
4. Pour in broth and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or allow it to cool and puree it in a blender.
6. Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half and add thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Reheat the soup over low heat, being careful not to let it boil.
8. Serve hot, garnished with additional broccoli florets or a sprinkle of paprika, if desired.

9. Spicy Butternut Soup Recipe

Spicy Butternut Soup is a delicious and warming soup made with roasted butternut squash.

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 can coconut milk
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
3. Place the squash on a baking sheet, cut side up, and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Roast the squash in the oven for 45 minutes, or until tender.
5. Scoop the squash flesh into a blender or food processor.
6. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to the blender.
7. Blend the mixture until smooth.
8. In a large pot, combine the blended mixture, coconut milk, and vegetable broth.
9. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
10. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes.
11. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
12. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

10. Basic Chicken Soup Recipe

Classic comfort food made with chicken and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in a little bit of oil until tender.
2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and add the thyme.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot and enjoy.

11. French Onion Soup Recipe

French Onion Soup is a classic dish with caramelized onions and melted cheese.

Ingredients

• 3 large onions
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups grated cheese
• 4 slices of bread

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add sliced onions and cook until caramelized, stirring occasionally.
3. Add salt, pepper, and beef broth to the saucepan.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
5. Preheat the broiler and toast the bread slices.
6. Ladle the soup into oven-proof bowls and top with toasted bread and cheese.
7. Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

12. Easy Beef Stew Recipe

A hearty and comforting beef stew made with tender beef and fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 large onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 medium potatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes to the pot.
4. Pour in the beef broth and add the thyme.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
6. Simmer the stew for 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
7. Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

Conclusion

As it turns out, you've stumbled upon the perfect recipes at just the right time - when you need a delicious meal without breaking the bank. It's no coincidence that these 12 budget-friendly soups will become your new go-to's, providing a satisfying and economical solution for any day of the week. You'll be enjoying them in no time, and loving every minute of it.