15 Hearty Soups I Serve for Dinner Without a Side Dish

When I’m making soup for dinner, I want a bowl that feels like the whole meal. Give me tender beef and chewy barley, cheese tortellini in a creamy broth, or pepperoni and melted mozzarella over a bowl of Pizza Soup, and I’m happy to call it dinner.

These 15 hearty soups have enough substance to stand on their own. Some are quick enough for a weeknight, and others are worth letting simmer on a Sunday so there’s a second dinner waiting in the fridge.

1. Beef Barley Soup

Chunks of chuck roast simmer until fork tender in a beef broth scented with rosemary and thyme. Chewy barley, potatoes and earthy mushrooms make this a bowl you can really sink your spoon into.

Get the Recipe: Beef Barley Soup

2. Chicken Pot Pie Soup

All the good stuff from a chicken pot pie ends up in this creamy soup. Rotisserie chicken makes it easy, potatoes give it some heft, and a little Creole seasoning perks up the broth.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

3. Caldo de Res

Beef shank and chuck simmer until tender, giving this Mexican soup a rich, clear broth. Big pieces of corn, potatoes and other vegetables make it a full dinner, and a squeeze of lime brings the whole bowl to life.

Get the Recipe: Caldo de Res

4. Creamy Tortellini Soup

Cheese tortellini and Italian sausage make this soup hearty from the first bite. Sun-dried tomato pesto gives the creamy broth a tangy depth, and crisp bacon makes a delicious finishing touch.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Tortellini Soup

5. Pozole Rojo

Tender pork and chewy hominy simmer in a deep red broth made with guajillo and ancho chiles. I like piling crunchy cabbage on top and squeezing lime over the bowl just before digging in.

Get the Recipe: Pozole Rojo

6. Portuguese Bean Soup

Smoked ham hocks give the broth its depth, and slices of Portuguese sausage bring even more flavor. Kidney beans and macaroni make this Hawaii favorite especially filling.

Get the Recipe: Portuguese Bean Soup

7. Pizza Soup

Pepperoni, Italian sausage and mushrooms simmer in a tomato broth made with pizza sauce. My favorite part is the crostini topped with melted mozzarella and extra pepperoni. It makes each bowl feel like a supreme pizza you can eat with a spoon.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Soup

8. Pasta Fazool

Ground beef, tender pasta and two kinds of beans make this tomato-based soup as satisfying as a plate of pasta. The beans soak up the herby broth as it simmers, and I love it with a little grated Parmesan on top.

Get the Recipe: Pasta Fazool

9. Picadillo Soup

Ground beef and tender potatoes make this Mexican-inspired soup hearty enough for dinner. Chipotles in adobo give the tomato broth a smoky kick, and sweet corn balances the heat.

Get the Recipe: Picadillo Soup

10. Garbure

A ham bone gives this rustic French soup a deeply flavored broth as the white beans turn tender. Thick wedges of cabbage and potatoes make it a generous dinner bowl.

Get the Recipe: Garbure

11. Sausage Gnocchi Soup

Pillowy gnocchi and crumbles of Italian sausage simmer in a garlicky tomato broth. A handful of spinach wilts right into the pot, and a little Parmesan over each bowl is all it needs.

Get the Recipe: Sausage Gnocchi Soup

12. New England Clam Chowder

Chopped clams and tender potatoes make this thick, creamy chowder substantial enough for dinner. The reserved clam juices give the broth its briny flavor, and bacon adds just the right touch of smoke.

Get the Recipe: New England Clam Chowder

13. Meatball Minestrone Soup

Tender chicken meatballs turn a pot of minestrone into an especially satisfying dinner. The tomato broth gets extra depth from a Parmesan rind, and the pasta and vegetables make every spoonful count.

Get the Recipe: Meatball Minestrone Soup

14. Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Soup

Browned sausage and russet potatoes slow cook until the potatoes are soft enough to mash right into the broth. Sweet corn adds a little pop, and a splash of cream gives the soup its chowder-like finish.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Soup

15. Ribollita

Creamy white beans and kale simmer in a tomato broth enriched with a Parmesan rind. Chunks of bread soak up the broth and turn this Tuscan soup into a thick, spoonable dinner.

Get the Recipe: Ribollita