18 Easy Soup Recipes with Few Ingredients

You know those nights when you want something homemade and comforting, but you don’t want to deal with a long ingredient list or a sink full of dishes? The ones where you open the pantry and hope inspiration strikes before hangry sets in?

I’ve been there more times than I can count. Those nights when takeout is tempting, but you know a bowl of something warm would hit different. The good news? You don’t need a farmers market haul or a specialty grocery run to make really good soup. Sometimes the best recipes come from just a handful of ingredients doing their thing together.

The best part? These 18 soups all use eight ingredients or less—and that’s counting water, salt, and oil. Most come together in under an hour, and they rely on pantry staples you probably already have. Let’s make soup simple again.

1. 5-Ingredient Tomato Soup

Canned tomatoes, butter, onion—that’s basically it. This minimalist soup tastes like you simmered it all day, but it comes together in about 30 minutes. The butter is the secret to that velvety texture.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 35 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
2. 1 onion, peeled and halved
3. 4 tablespoons butter
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. ½ teaspoon baking soda (cuts acidity)

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine tomatoes with their juices, onion halves, butter, and salt.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Remove onion halves. Using an immersion blender, puree soup until smooth.
4. Stir in baking soda (it will foam slightly). Taste and adjust salt.
5. Serve hot with crusty bread or grilled cheese.

2. 4-Ingredient Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This simplified version of the classic delivers all the creamy, cheesy goodness without the complicated roux or long ingredient list. Frozen broccoli works great here.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
2. 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3. 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4. 1 cup heavy cream

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, bring broth to a boil. Add broccoli and cook until very tender, about 10-12 minutes.
2. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth (or leave some chunks if you prefer texture).
3. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and gradually add cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
4. Heat through for 2-3 minutes but do not boil. Serve hot.

3. 3-Ingredient Black Bean Soup

Canned beans, salsa, and broth—that’s it. This soup comes together in minutes and tastes way better than it has any right to. Top with whatever you have on hand.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 3 (15-ounce) cans black beans, undrained
2. 2 cups salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
3. 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Using a potato masher or immersion blender, mash some of the beans to thicken the soup.
4. Serve with sour cream, cheese, or tortilla chips if you have them.

4. 5-Ingredient Potato Soup

Potatoes, broth, and a few pantry staples transform into something creamy and comforting. No cream needed—the potatoes do the work.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1. 4 slices bacon, chopped
2. 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
3. 6 cups chicken broth
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. ½ teaspoon black pepper

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Add potatoes, broth, salt, and pepper to the pot with bacon drippings. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
4. Using a potato masher, mash some potatoes right in the pot until soup reaches desired thickness.
5. Serve topped with reserved bacon.

5. 4-Ingredient Chicken and Rice Soup

Rotisserie chicken, broth, rice, and carrots—simple and healing. This is what you want when you’re not feeling your best or just need something easy.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 8 cups chicken broth
2. 1 cup long-grain white rice
3. 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
4. 2 cups frozen diced carrots

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, bring broth to a boil. Add rice and carrots.
2. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender.
3. Stir in shredded chicken and heat through for 3 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper if needed (broth may already be salty).

6. 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Soup

Canned pumpkin, broth, and coconut milk create a silky, slightly sweet soup that feels fancy but couldn’t be simpler. A little curry powder takes it over the top if you have it.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 1 (29-ounce) can pumpkin puree
2. 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3. 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
4. 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, whisk together pumpkin puree and broth until smooth.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in coconut milk and salt. Heat through for 5 minutes.
4. Serve warm, with a drizzle of coconut milk if desired.

7. 5-Ingredient Taco Soup

Ground beef, canned corn, canned tomatoes, beans, and taco seasoning—this soup tastes like tacos in a bowl and feeds a crowd with minimal effort.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1. 1 pound ground beef
2. 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
3. 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
4. 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
5. 1 packet taco seasoning

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up. Drain excess grease.
2. Add taco seasoning and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, and 2 cups water (or broth if you have it).
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream if you have them.

8. 4-Ingredient French Onion Soup

You only need onions, broth, butter, and cheese to make this classic. The secret is giving the onions time to caramelize—that’s where all the flavor comes from.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 1 hour

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 4 tablespoons butter
2. 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
3. 8 cups beef broth
4. 1 cup grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
5. 4 slices bread (optional)

Recipe Steps:

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
2. Pour in beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. If using bread, toast the slices. Ladle soup into bowls, top with bread if desired, and sprinkle generously with cheese.
5. Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

9. 5-Ingredient Sausage and Kale Soup

Italian sausage, potatoes, kale, and broth—that’s it. This is a simplified version of the classic Zuppa Toscana that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 35 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 1 pound Italian sausage
2. 3 potatoes, thinly sliced
3. 6 cups chicken broth
4. 4 cups kale, stems removed and chopped
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, cook Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up, until browned. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Add potatoes and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
3. Add kale and cook for 5 minutes until wilted.
4. Return sausage to pot and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

10. 3-Ingredient Lentil Soup

Lentils, broth, and tomatoes—that’s the base. This soup is proof that simple ingredients can be incredibly satisfying. A little cumin or garlic powder helps if you have it.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 1½ cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
2. 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
3. 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4. 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine lentils, broth, and diced tomatoes with their juices.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender.
4. Season with salt. Serve hot.

11. 4-Ingredient Corn Chowder

Frozen corn, potatoes, broth, and milk create a sweet, creamy chowder that tastes like summer. Bacon makes it even better but isn’t required.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups frozen corn, divided
2. 2 potatoes, diced
3. 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
4. 1 cup milk

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine 3 cups corn, potatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
3. Using an immersion blender, partially blend the soup to thicken it, leaving plenty of texture.
4. Stir in remaining 1 cup corn and milk. Heat through for 5 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

12. 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup

This simplified version uses rotisserie chicken, canned tomatoes, broth, corn, and tortilla chips. It’s weeknight-fast but full of flavor.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2. 6 cups chicken broth
3. 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
4. 1 cup frozen corn
5. Tortilla chips for serving

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine chicken, broth, diced tomatoes, and corn.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Crush tortilla chips into bowls and ladle soup over them.
4. Serve with lime wedges if you have them.

13. 4-Ingredient Cabbage and Sausage Soup

Cabbage, sausage, broth, and potatoes—this hearty soup tastes like it simmered for hours but comes together quickly.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 35 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1. 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
2. ½ head cabbage, chopped
3. 6 cups chicken broth
4. 2 potatoes, diced

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add cabbage and cook for 5 minutes until it begins to wilt.
3. Add broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper if needed (sausage is already salty).

14. 3-Ingredient Miso Soup

This Japanese classic uses just water, miso paste, and tofu. It’s ready in minutes and incredibly soothing.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups water
2. 3 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste
3. 4 ounces silken tofu, cubed

Recipe Steps:

1. Bring water to a gentle simmer in a medium pot. Do not boil.
2. Place miso paste in a small bowl. Ladle in about ½ cup of hot water and whisk until smooth.
3. Return miso mixture to the pot. Add tofu cubes.
4. Heat gently for 2-3 minutes. Do not boil, as this can destroy miso’s flavor.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions if you have them.

15. 4-Ingredient Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Frozen broccoli, broth, milk, and cheese—this soup is pure comfort and comes together in one pot.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups frozen broccoli florets
2. 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3. 1 cup milk
4. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine broccoli and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until broccoli is very tender.
2. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.
3. Stir in milk and heat through for 2 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to low and gradually add cheese, stirring until melted. Do not boil.
5. Serve hot.

16. 5-Ingredient Ham and Bean Soup

Canned beans, ham, broth, onion, and garlic—this soup uses pantry staples and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon oil
2. 1 onion, diced
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
4. 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, undrained
5. 4 cups chicken broth
6. 1 cup diced ham

Recipe Steps:

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
2. Add beans with their liquid, broth, and ham.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Using a potato masher, mash some beans to thicken the soup.
5. Serve hot.

17. 3-Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup

Canned tomatoes, broth, and fresh basil—this simple soup tastes like summer. A little cream makes it extra luxurious if you have it.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1. 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2. 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
3. 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, combine crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil.
4. Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread.

18. 4-Ingredient Beef and Vegetable Soup

Ground beef, frozen mixed vegetables, broth, and canned tomatoes—this is about as simple as it gets, but it’s genuinely good and satisfying.

Recipe Metadata:

Time to Make: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1. 1 pound ground beef
2. 6 cups beef broth
3. 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
4. 4 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

Recipe Steps:

1. In a large pot, brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up. Drain excess grease.
2. Add broth, diced tomatoes, and frozen vegetables.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve.