25 big-pot soups perfect for winter cooking

Nothing beats a hot meal when the chill sets in. These 25 soups fill the pot and the stomach with ease and comfort. One pot on the stove, and the whole room starts to feel warmer. Perfect for cozy nights and second helpings.

Creamy Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy orange soup garnished with chopped herbs and pumpkin seeds, with a spoon resting inside. — Creamy Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

You won’t need much else when there’s something warm and filling on the stove. That balance of natural sweetness and depth in Creamy Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup makes it great for cold weather. Let everyone ladle up their own bowl and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy soup with vegetables and herbs in a white bowl, next to a spoon and a striped towel. — Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

When you’re after comfort with a little extra richness, this one delivers without much work. Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup has all the feel of a restaurant bowl made for leftovers. Everyone always notices the gnocchi first.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup

A bowl of cabbage soup containing tomatoes, ground meat, and herbs, placed on a white surface with a striped towel and white flower beside it. — Cabbage Roll Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

You get the same flavors without rolling or stuffing anything. Cabbage Roll Soup stretches into multiple meals and holds up well in the freezer. It’s a reliable favorite for winter batch cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Roll Soup

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table. — Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Thick enough to hold up dumplings but still smooth and spoonable. Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings is rich, homey, and a smart pick when the fridge looks empty. Somehow, it always feeds more than you expect.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup topped with shredded cheese and a broccoli floret, next to a spoon on a napkin. — Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Let the pot do the work while you focus on everything else. Velvety cheese and tender broccoli come together in Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup, the kind of meal that keeps everyone happy. There’s usually nothing left by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Instant Pot Bean Soup

Big flavor doesn’t need a long simmer when pressure cooking’s involved. Instant Pot Bean Soup comes through with a filling base and plenty of flexibility. Load it up or keep it simple, either way, the pot goes quickly.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bean Soup

Chicken and Rice Soup

There’s nothing fancy here, and that’s exactly the point. Mild broth and tender rice make Chicken and Rice Soup one of the easiest big-pot meals to lean on. Add-ins are welcome, but not necessary.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup

Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

A black bowl filled with creamy orange soup, garnished with herbs, pepper, and a drizzle of oil. A gold spoon rests inside the bowl. A textured brown cloth and a cup are in the background. — Slow Cooker Carrot Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

When you need to clear out the fridge but still want something warm, start here. Slow Cooker Carrot Soup brings mellow flavor in a big-batch format that’s ideal for weeknight meals. Add toppings or keep it plain, it works either way.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carrot Soup

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

A bowl of French onion soup topped with melted cheese and bread, with a spoon resting inside the bowl. — Vegetarian French Onion Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Slow-cooked onions bring a bold, rich base that doesn’t need anything extra. Even without meat, Vegetarian French Onion Soup holds its own as a full-flavored big-pot option. Bread on top is optional, but highly encouraged.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Cheese-filled pasta turns soup night into something that feels like more than soup. Quick and dependable, Instant Pot Tortellini Soup has just enough to make it a one-bowl dinner. Guests usually ask for seconds without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

A bowl of creamy orange soup is placed on a black plate, garnished with a swirl of cream and a sprig of herb. A spoon rests inside the bowl. Small sprigs of thyme are scattered on the marble surface nearby. — Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Once the squash breaks down, everything else just falls into place. Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup keeps things cozy without leaning too sweet or too bland. A drizzle of olive oil seals the deal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

Chicken Pastina Soup

A bowl of chicken and rice soup with visible carrots, celery, herbs, and a spoon, served with slices of bread on the side. — Chicken Pastina Soup. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Small pasta makes this one especially kid-friendly, but it works for everyone. Chicken Pastina Soup feels easygoing and comforting without needing too much. It’s the kind of thing you make when people just want something good and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pastina Soup

Three Sisters Soup

A bowl of hearty vegetable soup containing corn, beans, red peppers, potatoes, and broth. — Three Sisters Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Big batches work best when they offer something nutritious, hearty, and rooted in tradition. Featuring squash, corn, and beans, Three Sisters Soup is a smart and warming choice. There's no rush to finish the pot, it keeps well for days.
Get the Recipe: Three Sisters Soup

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

A bowl of tomato and rice soup topped with ricotta and greens, garnished with parsley, and served with a spoon. — Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Skip the layers and still get the flavor that makes everyone reach for seconds. With all the right parts of a pasta night, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup works like a charm when you want big-pot comfort. Clean-up’s easier too.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

A bowl of butternut squash soup with a spoon on a colorful blue and white plate. — Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Just enough apple to brighten it, just enough squash to keep it grounded. That balance is what makes Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup a welcome change from heavier soups. It stores easily and reheats well for days.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup

A white bowl filled with creamy chicken and rice soup, garnished with herbs, placed on a wooden table. — Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Leftover turkey always finds its place here. Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup is mellow, balanced, and built for those don’t-want-to-cook days. Just heat and serve again tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Wild rice and mushroom soup in a white bowl with sprigs of sage. — Creamy Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Earthy and rich without feeling too heavy, this one leans on simple ingredients. A bowl of Creamy Mushroom Soup holds up well on its own or alongside a quick sandwich. It’s even better when shared.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Soup

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

An image of split pea soup divided into two bowls. — Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Warm bowls of this make long days feel shorter. Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup offers thick, rich comfort and is built to last through more than one meal. You’ll want to keep extra stocked in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Cabbage Vegetable Soup

A pot of vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, cabbage, green beans, and tomatoes, garnished with parsley. Sliced lemons, herbs, and a pepper mill are nearby. — Cabbage Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Hearty doesn’t have to mean heavy. Cooked down just right, Cabbage Vegetable Soup gives you that warm full-bowl feeling while keeping things light. It’s a great one to make in bulk.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Vegetable Soup

Potato Soup

Everyone knows the feeling of coming inside to something warm and ready. Potato Soup delivers comfort in the most straightforward way, with nothing complicated in sight. Big pots go fast when something this reliable is involved.
Get the Recipe: Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Everything you'd expect from the original dish, minus the effort. Big portions of Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup are ideal when you’re cooking once and stretching it all week. Keep some aside, it only gets better by day two.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup

Cold evenings are easier when you have something filling and meatless ready to go. Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup brings all the comfort of a stew with the speed of pressure cooking. Store what’s left for easy lunches.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup

Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup - Eggless Avgolemono

Bright flavor meets full comfort without relying on eggs or cream. Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup gives you that lemony broth that cuts through winter blues. It’s the kind of soup that wakes things up.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup - Eggless Avgolemono

Best Hearty Cabbage Soup

Plenty of vegetables and a sturdy broth give this one year-round appeal. Best Hearty Cabbage Soup is simple enough for any night but strong enough to carry you through winter. It's even better scooped from a Dutch oven at the end of a long day.
Get the Recipe: Best Hearty Cabbage Soup

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Thick, creamy, and ready when you are, this is a no-fuss winter staple. Slow Cooker Potato Soup is always a hit when you don’t want to overthink dinner. There's nothing fancier needed to enjoy it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup