10 Soup Recipes That Use Leftovers Brilliantly

You're likely throwing away leftovers that can be turned into delicious soups. Minestrone and beef stew are just a couple of options that use leftover veggies and meats. These soups are easy to make and customizable, making them a great way to reduce waste and enjoy a tasty meal - but that's just the beginning of what you can create.

1. Minestrone Soup Recipe

Minestrone soup is a hearty Italian dish made with leftovers and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can cannellini beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup small pasta shapes
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the small pasta shapes and cook until they're tender.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
7. Serve the soup hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

2. Chicken Noodle Soup

Hearty chicken noodle soup made with leftover chicken and noodles.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken
• 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 noodles

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic in a little bit of oil until softened.
2. Add the chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add the leftover chicken and noodles to the pot and cook until the noodles are tender.
5. Serve hot and enjoy.

3. Vegetable Broth Soup

Delicious and healthy vegetable broth soup made with leftovers.

Ingredients

• 4 cups leftover vegetables
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the leftover vegetables, vegetable broth, and dried thyme to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

4. Beef Stew Soup

Hearty beef stew soup made with leftover beef and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover beef stew
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 potato, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine leftover beef stew, beef broth, diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced potato.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
3. Stir in dried thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Continue to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

5. Lentil Soup Delight

This hearty lentil soup is made with leftover vegetables and beans.

Ingredients

• 1 cup leftover cooked lentils
• 2 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 chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in a little bit of oil until tender.
2. Add the vegetable broth, cooked lentils, diced tomatoes, and thyme to the pot.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes.
4. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve the lentil soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

6. Roasted Tomato Soup

Roasted Tomato Soup is a creamy and flavorful dish made from roasted tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs roasted tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 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 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the roasted tomatoes, broth, and dried basil to the pot.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
7. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs or crusty bread.

7. Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy butternut squash soup made with roasted squash and leftovers.

Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat 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 blender or food processor.
4. In a large pot, melt butter and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
5. Add cumin, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir for 1 minute.
6. Add the roasted squash, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the pot.
7. Blend the mixture until smooth.
8. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
9. Serve hot, garnished with chopped herbs or a sprinkle of nutmeg.

8. Turkey Soup Special

Savory turkey soup made with leftover turkey and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover turkey
• 4 cups turkey broth
• 1 onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a large pot, sauté the chopped vegetables in a little bit of oil until tender.
3. Add the turkey broth, leftover turkey, and thyme to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot and enjoy.

9. Creamy Potato Soup

Creamy Potato Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish made with leftover potatoes and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups leftover mashed or baked potatoes
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the leftover potatoes, broth, and heavy cream or milk to the pot.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes or until the soup has thickened slightly.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped herbs or chives if desired.

10. Meatball Soup Blend

A hearty soup made with leftover meatballs and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 4-6 leftover meatballs
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in a little bit of oil until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and leftover meatballs to the pot.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes.
4. Stir in the dried basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.

Conclusion

You'll simmer with excitement as you transform leftovers into mouthwatering masterpieces, like a warm hug in a bowl. With these 10 soup recipes, you'll cozy up to a world of flavors, savoring each spoonful of Minestrone, Chicken Noodle, or Beef Stew, and discover a delicious way to reduce waste and nourish your soul.