The 5 best budget-friendly soups to nourish the soul
Whether it's using up fridge leftovers or making the most of storecupboard staples, these cost-effective soups make a delicious warming meal for winter
When it's cold outside and the month feels extra-long, it's a relief to have simple, low-budget recipes to comfort you – and there's nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup. Even better, you can cook a big batch and set yourself up for easy weekday lunches, or stock the freezer. These recipes use leftover veg from the fridge and cheap ingredients like beans and lentils to help make them more nutritious without stretching your budget too far.
For more budget-friendly recipes, check out our dinner ideas or try our favourite winter warmer soups.
1. Versatile veg soup
This is a Good Food classic, with more than 100 five-star ratings. You can adapt the veg you use depending on what you have, and switch up the stock for different flavours. It can be on the table in under 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a busy weekday. Plus, you can pop leftovers in the freezer for another day. Add extra toppings to customise it to your taste – think: crème fraîche and herbs, or crunchy bacon bits.
Our Food Team's top tips for using up leftovers will help you turn any bits hanging round in the fridge into something delicious.
2. Red lentil & chorizo soup
Lentils are a nutritional powerhouse, providing fibre, folate, potassium and protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Here, they're combined with smoky, Spanish-inspired flavours the come from spicy chorizo, paprika and garlic. This is a healthy, filling option to look forward to in the colder months. Serve with a swirl of yogurt and crispy chorizo on top.
If you're trying to up your fibre intake, check out our selection of high-fibre ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. Minestrone soup
You can't talk about soup without mentioning minestrone. Our recipe for the Italian favourite uses frozen veg and canned tomatoes, so you don't need to buy lots of fresh produce. The spaghetti pieces are a budget-friendly way to make it filling, and a little pesto and parmesan at the end brings the flavour to the next level.
We have plenty more frozen veg recipes if you're looking for ideas.
4. Black bean tortilla soup
Cooking low and slow can make all the difference for getting deep flavours, and this low-calorie, low-fat, high-fibre soup is a perfect example of that. Grab any beans you have in the storecupboard and mix with onions and peppers to achieve two of your five-a-day. Pickled jalapeños and a splash of the brine add a little spice, too.
There's lots more to inspiration for using storecupboard staples in our healthy bean recipes.
5. Tomato & meatball soup
If you love spaghetti and meatballs, this is the soup for you. We've taken all the elements of a delicious pasta sauce and created this nourishing soup that provides three of your five-a-day. The giant couscous ensures it's extra-filling, and it's all ready in 20 minutes or less.
Love these flavours? Try our top pasta recipes.
