Soup Recipes for Your Family

As the temperature drops and the leaves begin to fall, it's natural to gravitate to heart-warming meals. Soups are a delicious and easy way to load up on good-for-you ingredients, and a great way to keep on top of your weekly meal planning. They can be made ahead of time and frozen in batches, to be part of both lunch and dinner for your busy family. Plus, they're good for you and can keep everyone in your family protected during cold season.

Next time you're in a warm kitchen on a brisk fall afternoon, try out one of these quick soup recipes. From beans to veggies, each food recipe offers something for everyone. They'll warm you up, keep you energized and make even the pickiest eaters around the dinner table happy.

1. Black Bean Chorizo Soup

While it can certainly be adapted for the vegetarians in your house, using chorizo and bacon as a base in this savory soup recipe will add a distinctive layer of flavor that's complemented by the bold flavors of Bouillon stock, peppers, onions and garlic. Top it off with some shredded cheddar, sour cream or avocado slices (or maybe even all three!), and serve with a side of tortilla chips for extra crunch.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

2. Vegetable Medley Soup

The cold weather is here and what better way to warm up than with a soup recipe. Asparagus, mushrooms and onions are the base for this particular recipe, but you can always throw in other veggies, such as potatoes, carrots and celery, to suit your taste. Best of all, the entire dish comes together in 30 minutes max, so it's the perfect weeknight staple.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

3. French Onion Soup

Nothing says "fall" like a steaming bowl of French Onion Soup. Perfectly matched with some French bread and freshly ground black pepper, this easy soup is a surefire crowd pleaser as either an entree or a starter.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

4. Hearty Minestrone Soup with Tortellini

An old standby, this flavorful soup should be an autumn essential to your kitchen table rotation. A mix of stock, beans and vegetables fills you up and keeps you going through even the busiest weeks of work, school and family obligations. Whatever is left over will freeze beautifully; or you can make a batch on Sunday and enjoy for lunch or dinner throughout the week.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

These recipes for easy, delicious soups can help you fill your kitchen with warmth. Providing hearty meals for the entire family brings everyone together in an instant. Get creative and pair any of these soups with some of your favorite sides and salads, or serve as a starter. You couldn't ask for a quicker way to a balanced and flavorful meal.