25 Soup Recipes to Batch Up Now While Weeknights Are Still Quiet

Quiet weeknights are a good window to get ahead on future dinners before the calendar fills up. This collection spans brothy bowls, creamy soups, spicy stews, chilis, and ramen, with options built around chicken, beans, vegetables, seafood, and noodles. Several recipes take about 30 to 45 minutes, while slower pots make larger batches for later dinners. Choose a flavor profile, cook ahead, and leave yourself an easier meal when busy evenings return.

From Mandy's kitchenThe Everyday Dinner Book · easy meals the whole family will actually eat

Get your copy →

Close-up of a spicy tom yum soup with shrimp, mushrooms, tomato chunks, lime wedge, and chopped herbs in a rich, red broth. — Tom Yum Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Kimchi Stew

Tangy and deeply savory, Kimchi Stew brings Korean flavor to a 30-minute pot that serves four. The recipe combines kimchi, tofu, tuna, dashi or fish stock, garlic, and red chili flakes. Its compact cook time makes it a practical first pot to prepare during a calm evening, and the leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. Serve it with rice for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Stew

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs. — Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Rich and creamy, Marry Me Chicken Soup has a tomato broth around shredded chicken. The recipe takes 40 minutes and makes eight servings, so one pot covers dinner plus portions to chill or freeze. Add the pasta while cooking, then finish with cream and greens. It is a useful batch for evenings when a full, filling bowl needs only reheating.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

Sweet Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy soup containing chunks of orange squash, leafy spinach, and visible seasoning, with a spoon lifting a portion. — Sweet Potato Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smooth and lightly sweet, Sweet Potato Soup makes a vegetable-forward pot in 45 minutes. Carrots, onion, garlic, vegetable stock, spinach, and pumpkin seeds round it out. Its smooth base is easy to portion for lunches or a simple weeknight meal, while the seeds add a little crunch at serving. Make it ahead and keep toppings separate until each bowl is ready.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Soup

From Mandy's kitchenStuck on what is for dinner? The Everyday Dinner Book is the one I open for easy meals the whole family will eat.

Wonton Soup

A ceramic bowl of clear soup containing dumplings, sliced mushrooms, broccolini, chopped green onions, and cilantro. — Wonton Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Quick to bring together, Wonton Soup takes 30 minutes and makes four servings. Ginger, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, broccolini, chicken broth, soy sauce, and green onion build the savory base. Since the recipe uses frozen wontons, prep stays manageable when the evening is quiet. Cook a pot for dinner, then store extra broth separately from the wontons to preserve their texture for later servings.
Get the Recipe: Wonton Soup

Gnocchi Soup

A bowl of creamy soup with gnocchi, spinach, carrots, celery, chunks of chicken, and black pepper, with a spoon inside. — Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

With a 30-minute cook time, Gnocchi Soup yields eight servings. The recipe combines chicken, gnocchi, spinach, carrots, broth, and half-and-half for a creamy one-pot meal. Its generous yield makes it a strong batch-cooking choice before the week gets busy. Chill extra portions for another dinner, and add a splash of broth when reheating if the soup thickens. Keep extra portions for another meal.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi Soup

Egg Drop Soup

On the table in 20 minutes, Egg Drop Soup makes four servings with a savory broth. Chicken broth, eggs, cornstarch, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and green onions create its familiar savory flavor. Its short cook time suits a quiet evening when there is little time to spare, and the ingredients are easy to keep on hand. Pair it with rice or noodles for a more filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

Chicken Soup

A pot of soup with sliced carrots, potatoes, and herbs floating in a seasoned broth. — Chicken Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Golden broth and tender vegetables anchor Chicken Soup, which takes 40 minutes and serves eight. Carrots, parsnips, celery, leek, thyme, tarragon, and chicken broth bring the pot together. The large yield is useful when you want several portions ready before weeknights fill up. Refrigerate extra bowls for a few days and warm them for a later dinner with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Soup

Lamb Stew

Close-up of beef stew with tomatoes and herbs served over mashed potatoes, garnished with parsley. A fork and spoon rest on the plate. — Lamb Stew. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

On a slower evening, Lamb Stew gives you a hearty pot with a 70-minute total time and eight servings. Boneless lamb, fire-roasted tomatoes, beef broth, cumin, mint, and parsley provide its savory base. The longer cook is easier to fit into an open evening, and the substantial yield leaves portions for later. Serve with bread or spoon it over grains for a filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Stew

Vegetarian Chili

Two bowls of chili with onions and sour cream. — Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smoky and thick, Vegetarian Chili takes 60 minutes and makes six servings. The linked recipe uses mushrooms, garlic, onion, peppers, and beans with a blend of spices. Let the pot simmer while the evening is unhurried, then divide it into meal-sized containers. Toppings can stay separate, making it easy to serve each bowl to taste. The leftovers also reheat well for a second dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

White Bean Soup

In 45 minutes, White Bean Soup makes six servings with a balanced mix of vegetables and beans. It takes 45 minutes and yields six servings, a useful amount for dinner and a few lunches. Lemon juice and Parmesan finish the bowls with brightness and savory flavor. Prepare it ahead, cool the extra portions promptly, and reheat them with a little broth if the beans thicken the soup.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Hearty Potato Soup

Close-up of a bowl of creamy soup topped with grilled bacon pieces and chopped parsley. — Hearty Potato Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Made for a longer simmer, Hearty Potato Soup takes about 80 minutes and serves four. The recipe also uses vegetable stock, butter, sour cream, onion, and parsley. A longer simmer fits a quieter night, and the familiar ingredients make it an easy option to plan around. Store portions for another meal, then add fresh herbs or a spoonful of sour cream when serving.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Potato Soup

Spicy Lasagna Soup

Close-up of a plate of pasta topped with a red tomato-based sauce, grated cheese, and garnished with chopped parsley. — Spicy Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Classic lasagna flavors come through in Spicy Lasagna Soup, which takes about 35 minutes and serves six. The recipe layers in onion, peppers, garlic, broth, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a hearty bowl. It cooks quickly enough to make before the week gets crowded, while its yield gives you extra servings. Reheat gently and loosen the broth with a little stock if the noodles absorb liquid.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Lasagna Soup

Italian Penicillin Soup

A bowl of chicken and rice soup with chunks of chicken, diced carrots, celery, and parsley garnish, served with a spoon. — Italian Penicillin Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

In about 35 minutes, Italian Penicillin Soup makes six servings with pastina and shredded chicken. Carrots, celery, sweet onion, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, and a Parmesan rind build its base. The recipe uses a shortcut ingredient that saves prep, and the portions work well for lunches after dinner. Cook it ahead during a calm evening, then add grated cheese and parsley to each bowl as you serve.
Get the Recipe: Italian Penicillin Soup

Miso Soup

With a lighter broth, Miso Soup makes a useful companion and takes 25 minutes for four servings. Red miso, dashi, tofu, nori, green onions, and chard provide its main components. The short cook keeps prep manageable, whether it is a starter or a simple dinner with rice. Make only what you can use soon, since the greens and tofu are best freshly warmed.
Get the Recipe: Miso Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Close-up of a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup garnished with herbs, seeds, and two slices of seasoned bread. The soup has a swirled texture and a vibrant orange color. — Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Roasting brings out gentle sweetness in Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, which takes one hour and serves six. Coconut milk, onion, garlic, curry powder, vegetable broth, and red pepper flakes add depth. The longer cooking time suits a quiet stretch at home, and the finished batch can be divided for later lunches. Keep fresh herbs aside until serving to brighten each reheated bowl.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Coconut Ramen

Close-up of a bowl of ramen with noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, half a boiled egg, sesame seeds, and lime, garnished with chili slices. Black chopsticks hold some noodles above the bowl. — Coconut Ramen. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

The coconut broth in Coconut Ramen softens the heat, and the recipe takes about 30 minutes for four servings. Red curry paste, mushrooms, ginger, bok choy, ramen noodles, and lime juice bring the broth together. It is a faster batch for a quiet night, with enough flavor to make a simple bowl feel complete. Store any extra broth apart from the noodles, then combine them when reheating to keep the ramen from turning soft.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Ramen

Turkey Chili

A close-up of a pot of chili with beans, avocado slices, red onion, sour cream, and garnished with chopped cilantro. — Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

In 45 minutes, Turkey Chili makes eight servings with ground turkey and kidney beans. Tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and chicken broth add the base, while Mexican seasoning sets the flavor. The generous amount makes it practical to cook before busy evenings return. Cool extra portions and refrigerate them, then set out avocado, sour cream, or cilantro when serving.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili

Hot and Sour Soup

Sharp and savory, Hot and Sour Soup takes 35 minutes and serves four. Chicken broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and red pepper flakes provide the sharp, savory broth. It is a quick pot for a quieter night, and the ingredient mix makes a warming dinner alongside rice. Prepare the broth ahead, then warm it gently before serving so the egg and tofu stay tender.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Instant Pot Chilli

A bowl of chili topped with sour cream, crispy tortilla strips, sliced green onions, and a lime wedge. — Instant Pot Chilli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pressure cooking brings Instant Pot Chilli together in about 32 minutes, with six servings from one pot. Ground beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, onion, tomato paste, cumin, and chili powder make its hearty base. The shorter cook time is handy when an open evening is limited, and the finished chili can be portioned for later. Serve with your preferred toppings, or set aside plain bowls for an easy lunch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chilli

Ham and Split Pea Soup

A bowl of split pea soup with chunks of ham, diced carrots, and herbs, with a spoon resting inside. — Ham and Split Pea Soup. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Long simmering turns Ham and Split Pea Soup into a filling 1-hour-40-minute batch that yields six servings. Onion, carrot, celery, garlic, broth, and herbs round out the slow-cooked base. It is a good choice for a quiet stretch at home, when the longer simmer can happen without a rushed dinner deadline. Portion cooled leftovers for another meal and reheat with extra broth as needed.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Split Pea Soup

Chicken Ramen

Close-up of a bowl of ramen with minced meat, spinach, sliced scallions, half a soft-boiled egg, and noodles in broth, garnished with sesame seeds and pepper. — Chicken Ramen. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

In about 30 minutes, Chicken Ramen makes four bowls with a rich, sesame-seasoned broth. Ramen noodles, chard, green onions, and egg complete the bowls. Its quick timing makes it easy to cook on a quieter weeknight, while the broth can be prepared ahead for faster assembly later. Add the noodles and greens close to serving so they keep their texture.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ramen

French Onion Soup

Slow cooking brings out the onions in French Onion Soup, a 1-hour-45-minute recipe that serves four. Beef broth, thyme, garlic, bread, and Gruyere or Gouda finish the classic bowls. Set aside time for the longer cook while the week is still quiet, then save the toasted bread and cheese for the last step. That keeps leftover soup easy to warm without soggy toppings.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Split Pea Soup

With a 75-minute simmer, Split Pea Soup yields six bowls of a thick, hearty broth. The Two City Vegans recipe combines split peas, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and vegetable broth. Make it when the evening has room for a longer simmer, then portion the extra bowls for lunches or later lunches. Stir in a little water or broth while reheating if it becomes too thick.
Get the Recipe: Split Pea Soup

White Chicken Chili

Bright, creamy flavors define White Chicken Chili, which takes one hour and makes six servings. Chicken, white beans, cream cheese, cheddar, cumin, and chicken broth make it substantial. The recipe’s yield offers several portions to prepare in advance, and the topping choices can be set out later. Refrigerate or freeze cooled leftovers, then serve with lime, avocado, or cilantro. Extras can become lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Tom Yum Soup

Tangy and spicy, Tom Yum Soup takes about one hour and serves four. Ginger, garlic, mushrooms, fish sauce, tomatoes, and chicken stock round out the recipe. It adds a brighter option among creamy soups and stews, and can be made during a quieter evening. Warm leftovers gently to avoid overcooking the shrimp, and add fresh herbs just before serving. Add fresh herbs after reheating.
Get the Recipe: Tom Yum Soup