I Made 17 Soups and Stews and Remembered Why I Love Fall

Fall officially arrives in my kitchen when I start wanting a pot of something warm on the stove. After a summer of lighter meals and trying not to turn the kitchen into an oven, there’s something deeply satisfying about chopping vegetables, adding spices, and letting a soup or stew fill the house with that cozy smell.

I’ve made plenty of these over the years, and somehow the first bowl always makes me wonder why I spent so long waiting for cooler weather. These are the 17 soups and stews that brought me right back to everything I love about cooking in the fall.

Tomato and White Bean Soup with Harissa

I made a batch of this on a chilly Tuesday when fast comfort food was a necessity. Sweet tomatoes and creamy white beans get a huge boost of warmth from smoky harissa paste. Everything simmers in one pot, turning out thick enough to scoop up with crusty bread or spoon over quick-cooking couscous.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and White Bean Soup with Harissa

Italian Tortellini Soup

My kids cheered when I put this bowl on the table because cheesy pasta in soup is always a hit. Ground beef browns with garlic and veggies before cheesy tortellini simmers right in the rich tomato broth. It comes together in thirty minutes in a single pot, making weeknight dinners completely stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tortellini Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

I threw these ingredients into the crockpot before running errands, and coming home to this rich aroma was the best part of my day. Tender chicken breast and soft potato gnocchi simmer all afternoon in a velvety broth with fresh spinach. The slow cooker does all the work, giving you a restaurant-style meal with zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Gochujang Tahini Cabbage Soup

Mixing Korean chili paste with nutty sesame paste seemed unusual at first, but the flavor combination blew me away. Tender cabbage leaves soak up a broth that strikes the perfect balance between mild heat and creamy richness. It gives you a quick vegetable bowl that keeps autumn chill at bay.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Tahini Cabbage Soup

Butternut Squash Soup with Apple and Coconut Milk

Every October, this is the very first pot of soup on my stove because it feels like a warm hug. Sweet roasted butternut squash and crisp apples blend until silky smooth with creamy coconut milk. You get all the best seasonal flavors in a simple, plant-based bowl that makes cool afternoons extra cozy.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Apple and Coconut Milk

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

Kabocha squash is naturally sweeter and richer than standard pumpkin, making this dish an instant winner in my house. You chop the squash, let the slow cooker work until everything turns tender, and blend it into a smooth meal. It brings out sweet, earthy flavors that make crisp fall weather enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

Trying this traditional Colombian dish showed me how comforting a simple chicken and potato pairing can be. Three types of potatoes melt into the broth to make it naturally thick, while an herb called guascas adds a distinct earthy note. Served with fresh avocado on top, it makes a filling one-pot dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Coming inside after a cold afternoon to a pot of slow-simmered beef chuck is my idea of heaven. Chunked beef cooks low and slow in a rich, savory broth with carrots and celery until the meat falls apart with a fork. It takes five minutes of morning prep for a classic dinner that defines cozy season.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

Brown lentils are my favorite pantry staple whenever I need a healthy meal that keeps everyone full for hours. You load your crockpot with dry lentils, sliced carrots, warm spices, and tomatoes, then let it simmer gently until thick. It is an affordable, hands-off recipe that makes weeknight cooking easy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

Thai-Style Red Curry Soup

Reaching for red curry paste and rich coconut milk is my secret to warming up the kitchen in a hurry. You simmer soft vegetables and your choice of protein in a gently spiced broth that bursts with flavor in every bite. It takes under thirty minutes to make, delivering quick comfort on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Thai-Style Red Curry Soup

Roasted Squash And Carrot Soup

Roasting orange veggies on a baking sheet before blending them changes everything because their natural sugars caramelize in the oven. Sweet butternut squash and carrots get blended with warm spices into a silky bowl without needing heavy cream. It highlights simple, fresh produce at its peak.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Squash And Carrot Soup

One-Pot Olive Garden Copycat Tuscan Sausage Potato Soup

Recreating this restaurant favorite at home on a rainy evening turned out even better than the original. Savory Italian sausage, tender golden potatoes, and fresh kale simmer together in a creamy broth. Making it in a single pot saves tons of cleanup time while delivering pure comfort.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Olive Garden Copycat Tuscan Sausage Potato Soup

Chicken Sancocho

Traditional Colombian cooking brings my family together around the table faster than almost anything else. Bone-in chicken simmers alongside thick cuts of yucca, green plantains, corn on the cob, and potatoes for a broth that thickens naturally. It is a big one-pot feast ready in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sancocho

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

My grandmother taught me that basic pantry ingredients often make the most satisfying meals, and this Serbian recipe proves it. White beans simmer gently with sweet paprika, tangy tomatoes, and garlic until the broth turns rich and flavorful. It is light, simple to make, and brightens up cool nights.
Get the Recipe: Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

Chicken Borscht

Growing up with classic beet soup made me love Eastern European flavors, but stirring in a spoonful of plum jam at the end was a fun discovery. Shredded chicken, beets, carrots, and cabbage simmer together before getting a sweet fruity finish. It brings comforting family traditions right to your kitchen table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Borscht

Instant Pot Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup

Converting my favorite pan-roasted chicken recipe into a pressure cooker meal cut my kitchen time in half. Sun-dried tomatoes, tender chicken, spinach, and short pasta cook in a creamy Parmesan broth in just minutes. It gives you a rich, comforting dinner fast on those extra busy fall evenings.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Adding fresh ginger and warm turmeric to my broth always brightens up cool rainy days. This bowl mixes shredded chicken, chewy wild rice, and coconut milk with fresh herbs for a unique twist on chicken soup. It feels deeply nourishing and gives you a healthy dinner that satisfies big appetites.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Get the big pot out, pick a recipe, and let fall have its moment. I think you’ll remember why you love it too.