16 soups and stews that simmer into something special

I love soups and stews like these because they let time do most of the work while I get on with my day. Slow simmering brings everything together into meals that feel comforting, filling, and dependable, whether it's a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend. This collection is all about easy prep, steady cooking, and results that are worth waiting for without making things complicated.

Spoon scooping yellow squash soup from a bowl

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Ciambotta Italian Vegetable Stew

A pot of Italian vegetable stew with a spoon, garnished with chopped green herbs, on a white tablecloth with a small bowl of parsley on the side. — Ciambotta Italian Vegetable Stew. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This hearty vegetable stew works well as a comforting dinner that benefits from a slow, steady simmer. The longer cooking time allows the vegetables to soften and blend into a rich, spoonable meal. It's simple to prepare and fits easily into a relaxed cooking schedule. This is a solid choice when you want a vegetable-based stew that develops deeper flavor as it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Ciambotta Italian Vegetable Stew

Crock Pot Chili for Two

Crock Pot Chili served in two white bowls with spoon. — Crock Pot Chili for Two. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This chili is designed for small portions while still gaining depth from time spent simmering. Using a slow cooker keeps prep easy and cooking hands-off, making it great for a quiet weeknight meal. The gentle heat helps the ingredients come together into a cohesive bowl. It works well when you want a warm, filling stew without leftovers piling up.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chili for Two

Easy Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy potato soup garnished with rosemary and thyme, served on a wooden table. — Easy Potato Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup relies on simple ingredients that improve with steady cooking time. The potatoes soften and thicken the broth naturally as it simmers. It's quick to prepare and works well for lunch or dinner. This is a dependable option for a soup that becomes richer the longer it stays on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Easy Potato Soup

Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

A bowl of hearty tomato-based soup with cabbage. — Crock Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup is a practical choice for slow cooking, giving cabbage time to soften and blend into the broth. The crock pot makes preparation easy and allows for a long, unattended cook. It suits busy days when you want dinner ready without much effort. The extended simmer helps turn basic ingredients into a balanced, warming soup.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

Easy Beef Stew

Beef stew in yellow bowls. — Easy Beef Stew. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This stew is well suited for longer cooking, which helps the beef become tender over time. It doesn't require complicated prep and works well for a family-style dinner. The steady simmer allows the broth to thicken naturally. It's a reliable option when you want a classic stew that improves as it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stew

Broccoli Cheese Soup

This soup benefits from gentle heat that allows the broccoli to soften without falling apart. It comes together easily and fits well into a weeknight routine. The longer simmer helps the flavors blend into a smooth, cohesive bowl. It's a good pick when you want a creamy soup that holds up well during cooking.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup

Fish Stew with Chorizo

A bowl of soup with sausage and fish. — Fish Stew with Chorizo. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This stew works best when simmered slowly so the broth takes on a layered flavor. It's straightforward to prepare and suited for a hearty dinner. The cooking time allows the fish and sausage to come together without overpowering each other. This makes it a solid choice for a stew that feels complete and well-balanced.
Get the Recipe: Fish Stew with Chorizo

Creamy Yellow Squash Soup

This soup uses a longer simmer to soften the squash and create a smooth texture. It's easy to prepare and works well as a light meal or starter. The slow cooking helps the ingredients blend evenly. It's a good option when you want a soup that improves with time on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Yellow Squash Soup

Chicken Corn Chowder

This chowder benefits from steady cooking that brings the chicken and corn together in the broth. It's simple to prepare and fits well into a family meal plan. The simmering time helps the soup thicken naturally. This makes it a dependable choice for a filling, spoonable dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A bowl of chicken and spinach soup with a spoon. — Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup works well with a gentle simmer that allows the broth to thicken without rushing. It's easy to prepare and suitable for both lunch and dinner. The longer cooking time helps the flavors settle evenly. It's a good pick when you want a comforting soup that holds together well.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

A ladle serving vegetable soup with tomatoes, potatoes, and green peas into a white bowl, with a blurred bowl in the background. — Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup is designed for long, slow cooking that brings vegetables together into a unified bowl. The slow cooker keeps prep simple and cooking low-effort. It works well for batch cooking and easy meals during the week. The extended simmer helps build a fuller, well-rounded soup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

Minestrone Soup with Sausage

This soup benefits from simmering, allowing the sausage and vegetables to blend into the broth. It's easy to manage and works well for a hearty dinner. The longer cooking time helps everything cook evenly. It's a solid choice when you want a filling soup that improves as it sits.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup with Sausage

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Lemon chicken soup in a white bowl with lemon slices. — Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup works best with gentle cooking that brings the broth together smoothly. It's simple to prepare and fits nicely into a light dinner plan. The simmering time helps the chicken soften while keeping the soup balanced. It's a good option for a soup that feels settled and complete.
Get the Recipe: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Shrimp and Corn Bisque

A close-up image of a spoonful of creamy shrimp bisque garnished with herbs, hovering above the rest of the soup in a bowl. — Shrimp and Corn Bisque. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This bisque benefits from controlled simmering that allows the broth to thicken gradually. It's straightforward to prepare and works well for a sit-down meal. The cooking time helps the flavors blend without rushing. This makes it a reliable choice for a smooth, hearty soup.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Corn Bisque

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

A bowl of bean soup with chunks of ham and diced vegetables, served in a rustic terracotta bowl with a spoon on the side. — Navy Bean and Ham Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup is well suited for long cooking, giving the beans time to soften fully. It's easy to prepare and ideal for make-ahead meals. The simmering process helps the broth gain body. It's a dependable option for a soup that becomes richer over time.
Get the Recipe: Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Crock Pot Tomato Soup

Top view of a bowl of creamy tomato soup garnished with basil, served with a spoon and sunglasses on the side. — Crock Pot Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This soup works well in the crock pot, allowing the tomatoes to cook down slowly. Preparation is simple, making it great for hands-off cooking days. The extended simmer helps smooth out the broth. It's a solid choice when you want a classic soup that develops more depth as it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Tomato Soup

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