14 Best Make-Ahead Soups for Easy Weeknight Meals
Just reheat, and dinner is served.
After a jam-packed day, the last thing you want to do is figure out what’s for dinner. But everyone is starving, and you can practically see the kids banging their silverware on the table in protest if you don’t feed them now. The answer is meal prep in advance, so you just have to reheat. And nothing is quite as easy as make-ahead soups. A few minutes on the stove or in the microwave, and you’re ready to serve a warm, comforting meal.
Not all the best soup recipes are make-ahead friendly, though. Soups with noodles or rice, for instance, absorb the liquid and can get kind of mushy as they rest. But there are plenty of soup recipes that can last up to five days in the fridge. Even better, they are also freezer-friendly soups you can eat up to three months later when stored properly. Make a big batch, and you’ve got a meal for tomorrow and one for later. Allelujah!
There are a few things to keep in mind when making soup in advance. First, keep some broth or stock on hand to help thin out the soup as it reheats. (Water will work, too. You just might need a little more seasoning.) Second, be sure to wait until the soup has reheated before adding any fixings. That way, they won’t get soggy. Other than that, you’re about to save your weeknight schedule 14 different ways. Isn’t that souper?
7-Can Soup
You can make this soup in less than 30 minutes just by raiding your pantry. It's got canned chili, corn, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and some Velveeta for creaminess. It will last up to three days in the fridge.
Get Ree's 7-Can Soup recipe.
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
This is make-ahead in two ways. You can throw it together in the morning and come home to a meal in the evening. You can also make it in advance and stash it in the fridge for up to four days. Just save the toppings for serving.
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe.
Bean with Bacon Soup
You need to make this soup anyway, since the beans need to soak. But the end result is a hearty mix of great northern beans, vegetables, and broth. Oh, and while it’s reheating, crisp up some salty bacon to crumble on top.
Get Ree’s Bean with Bacon Soup recipe.
Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is not only comforting and hearty, but super healthy for you, too! Bonus: You don't have to presoak the beans, and it reheats beautifully. Just add an extra splash of water or stock if it's too thick.
Get Ree's Lentil Soup recipe.
Hamburger Soup
Ree loves this soup because it’s a flexible recipe, so you can use up whatever you’ve got in your fridge. Plus, "it's meaty and hearty and flavorful and satisfying." It will keep in your fridge for up to three days. Just reheat and serve with rolls or crusty bread.
Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe.
Vegetarian Enchilada Soup
Skip all the folding and layering and make the soup version of enchiladas instead. You can make everything in advance except the toppings. Those should be freshly scattered on top of the zesty, flavorful soup once it has been reheated.
Get Ree's Vegetarian Enchilada Soup recipe.
Italian Meatball Soup
Mini meatballs, onions, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and celery come together for pure comfort food in a bowl. Just wait until it’s reheated to sprinkle on some parmesan. Serve with crusty bread and dinner is ready!
Get the Italian Meatball Soup recipe.
Hearty Black Bean Soup
Get your Tex-Mex fix that will last up to four days in the fridge (if it lasts that long). After you’ve gotten it all nice and hot again, that’s when you can add the fixings like sour cream, fresh cilantro, and avocado.
Get Ree’s Hearty Black Bean Soup recipe.
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Like lentils, you don’t have to soak split peas in advance. They make the soup thick and creamy and last up to five days in your refrigerator. You might need to add a little liquid as it reheats to get it to your desired consistency.
Get the Split Pea Soup with Ham recipe.
Vegetable Soup
Here’s another fridge cleaning recipe. You can swap out any of the veggies for what you have on hand (even frozen!) and it will last up to four days. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies, too.
Get the Vegetable Soup recipe.
Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon
Since this soup relies more on the butternut squash for its creamy texture, it'll still taste silky smooth when reheated. Crisp up some bacon just before serving for a nice salty, crunchy bite.
Get Ree's Butternut Squash Soup With Bacon recipe.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This soup is filled with black beans, chicken, and lots of spices for the perfect Tex-Mex fix. Just hold off on the tasty toppings (sour cream, cheese, avocado, onion, salsa, tortilla chips, whatever you desire) until after you're done reheating.
Get Ree's Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe.
White Bean Soup
Ree says this “packs a hefty helping of vegetables and is nice and filling thanks to the beans, yet it’s still surprisingly fresh and a little lemony.” Wait to make and add the breadcrumb topping until you’re ready to chow down.
Get Ree’s White Bean Soup recipe.
Cabbage Soup
This is one of the healthier soup recipes you can find. Thankfully, it’s delicious, too! The creamy white beans add protein and texture, so it’s anything but boring. You’ve got four days to enjoy it, too.
Get the Cabbage Soup recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cauliflower Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Freezer Meals Make Dinner So Easy
