Once You Try These 10 Soups, You’ll Never Need a Side Again!

Sometimes, all you need is a good bowl of soup to feel satisfied. These soups are hearty, filling, and don’t need anything extra to make them a complete meal. With bold flavors and ingredients that stand on their own, each recipe offers something a little different to keep things interesting. Once you try these soups, you’ll realize you don’t need a side to make dinner feel complete.

Carrot Ginger Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Two bowls of hot and sour soup. — Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This chicken hot and sour soup brings a delicious mix of spicy, sour, and savory flavors, featuring tender chicken and earthy mushrooms. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines soy sauce, vinegar, and a hint of chili for a bold taste that’s both warming and refreshing. A touch of egg ribbons adds creaminess, while bamboo shoots give a satisfying crunch. This is a perfectly balanced soup that holds its own as a hearty, complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour 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.

This butternut squash soup with homemade dumplings combines the smooth sweetness of squash with fluffy dumplings, creating a rich and filling dish. In about an hour, the flavors of nutmeg, garlic, and thyme blend seamlessly with the dumplings for a comforting texture. The squash’s creaminess and the soft bite of dumplings make each spoonful satisfying. With this soup, there’s no need for anything extra to feel full and content.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Belgian endive soup

Two bowls of soup on a wooden table. — Belgian endive soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This Belgian endive soup has a unique, slightly bitter flavor balanced by the sweetness of onions and a touch of cream, creating a smooth, velvety texture. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s light yet filling with hints of nutmeg and pepper. The endive adds a mild, sophisticated taste that makes it stand out from typical veggie soups. Perfect on its own, this soup has the complexity to hold your interest without a side.
Get the Recipe: Belgian endive 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.

This butternut squash and apple soup combines the natural sweetness of squash with a subtle tang from apples, making for a perfectly balanced flavor profile. In under an hour, you’ll get a silky texture with hints of sage, nutmeg, and garlic, making each spoonful warm and comforting. The creaminess without being heavy makes it surprisingly light yet filling. This soup holds its own as a satisfying dish that doesn’t need any side to make it complete.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Barley, kale and Romano beans soup

A bowl of barley soup with lemon wedges on a wooden table. — Barley, kale and Romano beans soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This barley, kale, and Romano beans soup is a wholesome blend of grains, greens, and beans, offering a robust, earthy taste. Taking about an hour to prepare, it’s packed with chewy barley, tender kale, and creamy Romano beans for a hearty meal. A touch of garlic and thyme enhances the flavors, making each spoonful satisfying and nourishing. This is a filling, one-bowl meal that doesn’t need any extras.
Get the Recipe: Barley, kale and Romano beans soup

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

This navy bean and ham soup combines smoky ham with creamy beans, resulting in a savory, rich flavor that’s perfect for a chilly day. In about 90 minutes, the beans soften and absorb the flavors of ham, garlic, and herbs, creating a thick, stew-like texture. Carrots and celery add a subtle sweetness and depth to the broth. With its hearty ingredients, this soup is filling enough to stand alone.
Get the Recipe: Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Tomato Basil Bisque

This tomato basil bisque combines ripe tomatoes and fresh basil for a smooth, rich flavor that’s both tangy and sweet. In just 30 minutes, you get a creamy, thick soup with a hint of garlic and a touch of cream for extra depth. The bright basil complements the tomatoes, making it feel fresh and vibrant. Full of flavor and hearty on its own, this bisque doesn’t need a side to satisfy.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A bowl of chicken and spinach soup with a spoon. — Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This chicken gnocchi soup is a comforting bowl of tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a creamy, savory broth. In about 40 minutes, flavors of garlic, onion, and thyme blend together, creating a rich, filling meal. The gnocchi adds a soft, satisfying texture, while spinach adds a fresh bite. With its hearty ingredients, this soup is a complete meal by itself.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Parsnip Potato Soup

This parsnip potato soup blends creamy potatoes and sweet parsnips, creating a smooth, mild flavor that’s perfect for a cozy meal. In just 40 minutes, you’ll have a velvety soup that balances earthy root vegetables with a hint of garlic and thyme. The sweetness of the parsnips adds depth, while the potatoes keep it satisfyingly hearty. Ideal on its own, this soup won’t need a side to feel like a complete, filling dish.
Get the Recipe: Parsnip Potato Soup

Carrot Ginger Soup

This carrot ginger soup brings together sweet carrots and zesty ginger for a vibrant, flavorful combination. Ready in under an hour, it has a smooth, silky texture that’s light but surprisingly filling. The ginger adds a warm, slightly spicy kick, balancing the natural sweetness of the carrots. This soup is perfectly satisfying on its own, with no sides needed for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup