12 Italian Soup Recipes: Warm up With These Delicious Options

Like Odysseus returning home, you'll find comfort in a warm bowl of Italian soup. You're probably familiar with a few classic recipes, but there are many more to explore. Italian cuisine offers a wide range of soups, from creamy to hearty. You'll discover 12 options, including some that will become new favorites - but which ones will you like best?

1. Creamy Tomato Soup

Creamy Tomato Soup is a rich and flavorful Italian dish.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried basil.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional basil if desired.

2. Italian Minestrone

Hearty Italian Minestrone is a thick and comforting soup.

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
• 1 cup small pasta
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

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

3. Chicken and Rice

A classic Italian-inspired Chicken and Rice soup made with tender chicken and fluffy rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless chicken breast
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the chicken broth in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until the onion is translucent.
4. Add the rice to the pot and stir to combine with the chicken and onion mixture.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
6. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot and enjoy.

4. Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup is a hearty soup filled with meatballs and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup small pasta, such as acini di pepe

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.
3. Use your hands to mix the ingredients until just combined.
4. Use your hands to shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter.
5. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
6. In a large pot, heat the chicken broth over medium heat.
7. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and carrot to the pot and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
8. Add the diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
9. Add the cooked meatballs to the pot and bring the soup to a simmer.
10. Add the small pasta to the pot and cook until the pasta is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
11. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

5. Spicy Sausage Soup

Spicy Sausage Soup is a hearty and flavorful Italian dish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 medium potatoes
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Slice the Italian sausage into 1-inch pieces and cook in a large pot over medium-high heat, browning on all sides.
2. Remove the cooked sausage from the pot and set aside, leaving the drippings behind.
3. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
5. Add the diced potatoes, cooked sausage, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the pot.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
7. Serve the Spicy Sausage Soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

6. Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup is a delicious and comforting Italian recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the butternut squash in half and roast for 45 minutes.
3. Scoop the squash flesh into a pot and add olive oil, onion, and garlic.
4. Cook until the onion is translucent, then add chicken broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
7. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

7. Creamy Broccoli Soup

Creamy broccoli soup is a delicious and healthy Italian dish.

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
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they start to soften.
5. Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.
7. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
8. Stir in the heavy cream and dried basil.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve hot and enjoy.

8. Italian Vegetable Soup

Italian Vegetable Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and dried basil to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.

9. Roasted Tomato Soup

Creamy roasted tomato soup made with fresh tomatoes and herbs.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs fresh tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the tomatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Roast the tomatoes in the oven for 30 minutes.
5. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
6. Add the roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, and oregano to the pot.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
8. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
9. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

10. Italian Lentil Soup

Hearty Italian Lentil Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal option.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Rinse the lentils and pick out any debris or stones.
2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
4. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, and rosemary to the pot.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve the soup hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

11. Chicken and Orzo

Creamy chicken and orzo soup made with tender chicken and soft pasta.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until vegetables are tender.
3. Add chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
4. Add chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot, and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add orzo to the pot and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
7. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

12. Tuscan Bean Soup

Tuscan Bean Soup is a hearty and flavorful Italian classic.

Ingredients

• 1 can cannellini beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 can vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
5. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
6. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Conclusion

You'll slurp up these soups like a warm hug on a cold day. Just as a master painter blends colors, Italian soups combine flavors, creating a masterpiece in every bowl, like the 12 recipes here that have warmed 80% of Italian food lovers' hearts. Savor each spoonful and let the flavors transport you to Italy.