A Souper Collection

So, I guess we've decided to bypass Fall and head right into Winter.

It's November.  NOVEMBER (just in case you didn't get the memo).  I'm still supposed to be sweating it out in 80 degree temps while waiting for the kids in the carpool line.  Instead, I'm cozied up in my sweats sipping on my endless cup of coffee.  I'm not complaining about that, but seriously.  I'd at least like to rewind and hold on to Fall just a smidge longer.

Since our early winter has arrived, we've been indulging in more soups than necessary.  After all, it is our favorite cold weather food.  Mr. Spouse makes a mean pot of chili.  I mean, it's pretty amazing.  So we enjoy that through the weekend when he's home to make it.  During the week, we enjoy our soups like crazy.  Just SO darn comforting!!!  I figured it was time to compile all of our favorites for you because I'm pretty sure you might enjoy some of these, too!!!

It's pretty hard to say which one is our absolute favorite because they're all so good in their own way.

I tend to make a TON of Italian Chicken Soup.  That Pioneer Woman sure does know what she's doing.  This is one amazing soup.  A little elbow grease is involved in the prep, but the juice is worth the squeeze.  And you MUST serve this one with SHAVED parmesan.  Trust me on that one.

Whenever we have company, I always make a couple of batches of  my Chicken Tortilla Soup and there's typically NONE left when it's all said and done.  Absolutely couldn't be easier...a definite crowd pleaser, for sure!!!!

I started making this one last year and realized I worked it into our weekly dinner rotation WAY too often.  Not that that was a bad thing, but it definitely got a fair share of it's play in our kitchen.  It's a crockpot recipe, but I love making it right on the stovetop.

This little version of baked potato soup has been repinned a whole bunch.  A friend I used to teach with gave me this recipe and we've been making it like this ever since.  I love that it calls for hash browns as opposed to potatoes.  I'd much rather dump a bag of those in the crockpot instead of peeling potatoes.  This is definitely a soup for the lazy soul.  

While I know this picture leaves little to be desired, this soup is nothing short of fantastic.  This is the closest I've ever come to recreating La Madeliene's tomato basil soup.  If you're a fan of that one, you'll love this one.  We typically serve it with Italian Grilled cheese and it's the perfect companion.  And personally, I always think this soup is even better the next day!

Again, crummy picture, GREAT soup.  I got this recipe from my parents.  It's their 3-1-1 Minestrone.  They make this one whenever they entertain.  It's enough to feed a crowd and it always gets rave reviews!!!

For all my tequila lovers, this is a soup that will sing to your heart...Hearty Chicken Tequila Soup.  Truth be told, I typically don't use the tequila it calls for, although I'm sure that would help on those nights when I want to get the family to sleep soundly ;)  A girl I used to teach with made this for our team one year and I begged for the recipe after our lunch.  It quickly became a family favorite!!!

Once again, this picture scares the daylights outta me.  YIKES.  I'm now on a mission to remake all of these soups and *try* to picture them in a better light.  SCARY.  Anywho, this chicken & rice soup with avocado is a fast and easy meal.  I adapted one of Rachel Ray's recipes to better fit our family and love how it turned out.  Plus, it's super fast and easy to make!  BONUS!

Speaking of super fast and easy, this spinach tomato tortellini soup is just that.  And tasty, too!  This one didn't last too long.  I was really hoping for leftovers, but no such luck.  I made this when we had company over and I really should've made more.  It didn't last.  If you love cheese filled tortellini, you MUST try this asap!

This SOUPER simple chicken noodle soup isn't just easy...it's fantastically flavorful, too!  There's nothing more comforting than a piping hot bowl of chickn noodle soup...and I don't mean Campbell's version.  Homemade chicken noodle soup reminds me of sick days spent on the couch at mom & dads...watching every episode of Swan's Crossing & Saved by the Bell I could fit in before my siblings returned home from school.  Oh how I wish my boys would give this a try!!!  They need those chicken noodle soup memories to cling to when they get older ;)

This might possibly be the most unappetizing picture in the history of food fauxtography, but the taste makes up for what the picture lacks to convey.  I don't know about y'all, but I do tend to consider chili as a soup...especially when it's not too thick.  I found this recipe for Lime & Black Bean Chili several years ago and couldn't believe how much I liked it!  Even my littlest LOVES it!!!  The secret?!?!  Cilantro!!!

Of course, nothing beats a good ol' bowl of this tried and true classic.  Who doesn't love a warm bowl of taco chili soup?!  'Nuff said!

I heard this version of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana is a very close copycat.  I still haven't tried the original version, but I can tell y'all that I'm 12 kinds of crazy about this one. It is SO amazing!  I need to branch out and try more than just pasta when I visit the OG because if the original is anything like the copycat then I know I'm in for a good meal!!!  

I'm always looking for more soup recipes to add to my soup repetoire, so if you know of any I need to try, let me know!!!!