One Pot Soup Recipes
Best One Pot Soup Recipes for Cozy Comfort
There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade soup on a cold day, when you’re feeling under the weather, or when you just need a big hug in food form. I used to think making soup from scratch was complicated and time-consuming, but then I discovered the magic of one pot soups. No fancy techniques, no multiple pots to wash, just throw everything in one pot and let it simmer into deliciousness.
One pot soups have become my go-to comfort food for so many reasons. They’re incredibly forgiving—you can adjust ingredients based on what’s in your fridge, customize the thickness to your liking, and most improve with time as the flavors meld together. Whether you’re craving classic chicken noodle, hearty vegetable soup, or something more adventurous like tortilla soup, there’s a one pot version that’s easier than you ever imagined.
What I love most about soup is how it fills your whole house with the most amazing aromas while it cooks, and how a single pot can feed a crowd or provide lunches for the entire week. This collection joins our easy one pot meals library, proving that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated to be incredibly satisfying.
Why One Pot Soups Work
Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s something deeply comforting about a warm bowl of homemade soup that just makes everything feel better.
Minimal Cleanup: Everything cooks in one pot, which means you’re not juggling multiple pans or creating a mountain of dishes.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Most soups taste even better the next day and freeze beautifully, making them ideal for batch cooking.
Budget-Friendly: Use affordable ingredients and stretch them into multiple servings—soup is one of the most economical meals you can make.
Endlessly Customizable: Soups are incredibly forgiving. Adjust vegetables, proteins, and seasonings based on what you have and what you love.
Nutritious and Filling: Packed with vegetables, proteins, and hearty ingredients, soups provide complete nutrition in a single bowl.
12 Essential One Pot Soup Recipes
Classic Chicken Soups
1. One Pot Chicken Noodle Soup The ultimate comfort food that cures everything from colds to bad days. Tender chicken, soft egg noodles, carrots, and celery in a rich chicken broth. This version uses rotisserie chicken for a shortcut that still delivers homemade flavor. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s what you crave when you need real comfort.
2. One Pot Chicken and Rice Soup Similar to chicken noodle but with fluffy rice instead of noodles for a heartier option. The rice absorbs all that delicious chicken broth flavor while thickening the soup naturally. Add a squeeze of lemon at the end for Greek-inspired avgolemono vibes.
3. One Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Mexican-inspired comfort with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and tomatoes in a spicy, cumin-scented broth. Top with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro for a soup that eats like a fiesta. The toppings are what make this soup truly special!
Hearty Vegetable Soups
4. One Pot Minestrone Soup Classic Italian vegetable soup loaded with beans, pasta, tomatoes, zucchini, and spinach in a savory herb-infused broth. It’s like a warm Italian hug in a bowl. Serve with crusty bread and plenty of Parmesan for an incredibly satisfying vegetarian meal.
5. One Pot Vegetable Soup A clean-out-the-fridge favorite featuring whatever vegetables you have on hand in a light vegetable or chicken broth. Customize with your favorite veggies—this is the most flexible soup recipe you’ll ever make. Perfect for using up produce before it goes bad.
6. One Pot Lentil Soup Budget-friendly protein powerhouse featuring tender lentils, carrots, celery, and tomatoes with warming spices like cumin and turmeric. Lentils create a naturally thick, creamy texture without any dairy. This vegetarian soup is so hearty, even meat-lovers won’t miss anything.
Creamy Comfort Soups
7. One Pot Potato Soup Ultra-creamy and comforting with tender potato chunks, crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and green onions. Some of the potatoes get mashed to create that signature creamy base while others stay chunky for texture. Top with all the loaded baked potato fixings!
8. One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Better than Panera’s version with tender broccoli florets swimming in a velvety sharp cheddar cheese sauce. The secret is making a quick roux first, then adding milk and cheese gradually for the smoothest texture. Serve in bread bowls for ultimate indulgence.
9. One Pot Tomato Soup Smooth, creamy, and perfect for dunking grilled cheese sandwiches. Made with canned tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh basil, this version tastes way better than anything from a can. Blend it smooth or leave it slightly chunky—your choice!
Hearty Protein-Packed Soups
10. One Pot Chili Technically a chili but thick and hearty enough to eat like soup! Ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and perfect spices create the ultimate game-day comfort food. Top with sour cream, cheese, and green onions. This one’s already in our collection—check out our One Pot Chili Recipe for the full details.
11. One Pot White Chicken Chili A lighter twist on traditional chili with white beans, green chiles, chicken, and a creamy white sauce base. It’s tangy from lime juice and sour cream, slightly spicy from jalapeños, and incredibly comforting. Top with Monterey Jack cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
12. One Pot Beef and Barley Soup Old-fashioned comfort with tender beef chunks, chewy barley, mushrooms, and root vegetables in rich beef broth. Barley makes this soup incredibly hearty and filling while adding great texture. It’s the kind of soup grandma would make.
Tips for Perfect One Pot Soups
Layer Your Flavors: Start with aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery. Sauté them first to build a flavorful foundation before adding liquids.
Don’t Skip the Broth: Quality broth makes a huge difference. Use homemade when possible, or choose low-sodium store-bought so you control the salt.
Add Delicate Ingredients Last: Pasta, rice, and quick-cooking vegetables should go in near the end to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste before serving and adjust seasoning. Soups often need more salt than you’d think, plus acid (lemon or vinegar) to brighten flavors.
Let It Simmer: Most soups benefit from at least 20-30 minutes of gentle simmering to let flavors meld together.
The Overnight Magic: Many soups taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop in the fridge.
What to Serve With Soup
Every good soup deserves the perfect accompaniment:
- Crusty bread, dinner rolls, or garlic bread
- Grilled cheese sandwiches (classic pairing!)
- Simple side salad with vinaigrette
- Cornbread or corn muffins
- Crackers or oyster crackers
- Quesadillas for Mexican-style soups
- Biscuits for Southern comfort
Many of these soups pair perfectly with dishes from our easy one pot meals collection—serve soup as a starter or make it the main event alongside bread and salad for a complete meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do homemade soups last? Most soups keep well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Creamy soups are best within 3 days as dairy can separate. Always store in airtight containers.
Can I freeze soup? Yes! Most soups freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Exceptions: creamy soups may separate (stir well when reheating), and pasta can get mushy (add fresh pasta when reheating instead).
How do I thicken soup that’s too thin? Simmer uncovered to reduce liquid, mash some of the vegetables or beans, add a cornstarch slurry, or stir in a bit of cream or coconut milk.
My soup is too thick. What do I do? Simply add more broth, water, or milk a little at a time until you reach desired consistency. Soups naturally thicken as they sit.
Can I make soup in a slow cooker instead? Absolutely! Most of these recipes adapt well to slow cookers. Brown aromatics first if possible, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
How do I make soup more flavorful? Sauté your aromatics first, use quality broth, add fresh herbs at the end, and don’t forget acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to brighten everything up.
Other Favorite Recipes
If you love these one pot soup recipes, you’ll also enjoy these comfort food classics:
