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    Home / Roundups

    16 soups and stews that turn an ordinary night around

    By Lisa MarcAurele · Jul 14, 2026 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

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    By the time Tuesday hits, I want dinner to feel easy but still worth looking forward to. These soups and stews are simple, comforting, and made with ingredients I already have. They're the kind of meals that help turn an ordinary night into something that feels a little more like the weekend.

    Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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

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    This chicken gnocchi soup is a warm and hearty option that comes together with everyday ingredients. It's great for busy weeknights when you need something dependable. The texture is creamy and filling, making it a smart way to end a long day. It's exactly the kind of dinner that helps take the edge off an otherwise routine Tuesday.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Easy Beef Stew

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

    Easy beef stew brings a solid mix of protein and vegetables in one pot. It cooks low and slow, which means you get deep flavor with little active time. Leftovers hold up well and make lunch the next day simple. This one's perfect when you need a dinner that feels like more than just the middle of the week.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stew

    Creamy Yellow Squash Soup

    A bowl of creamy yellow squash soup with a few croutons, with a spoonful of soup held above the bowl.Pin
    Creamy Yellow Squash Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Creamy yellow squash soup is a good way to use up extra vegetables without a complicated plan. It comes together in about 30 minutes and keeps well in the fridge. You can pair it with bread or keep it light on its own. It brings a calm, end-of-week energy that's welcome on a Tuesday night.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Yellow Squash Soup

    Broccoli Cheese Soup

    A bowl of creamy broccoli cheese soup beside fresh broccoli and shredded cheese, with a slow cooker in the background.Pin
    Broccoli Cheese Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Broccoli cheese soup is thick, cheesy, and built for cooler nights. It uses affordable ingredients and doesn't take long to cook. A bowl of this feels more comforting than takeout, especially when the day's been nonstop. It's the kind of dinner that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel a little more worthwhile.
    Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup

    Fish Stew with Chorizo

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

    This fish stew with chorizo is a bold option that doesn't require a lot of hands-on time. The mix of seafood and sausage brings a nice balance without needing extra sides. It's a one-pot meal that feels more involved than it is. A good fit for a Tuesday night that deserves better than leftovers.
    Get the Recipe: Fish Stew with Chorizo

    Easy Potato Soup

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

    Easy potato soup comes together fast and uses ingredients most people already have on hand. It's filling, budget-friendly, and great for making a double batch. The texture is smooth and comforting without being heavy. This is one of those meals that makes midweek dinner feel more thought-out without a big effort.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Potato Soup

    Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

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

    Crock pot cabbage soup is a low-effort option that works well for busy schedules. It simmers all day while you focus on everything else, and it's ready by dinner. It's light but hearty enough to stand alone. This is the kind of simple comfort that helps get through the middle of the week.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

    Chicken Corn Chowder

    A bowl of creamy chicken corn chowder with potatoes and garnished with shredded cheese.Pin
    Chicken Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Chicken corn chowder is creamy, filling, and built from pantry staples. It comes together in one pot and works well for lunch the next day. This one's a good option when you want a meal that feels familiar and easy. It helps bring a little warmth to a regular Tuesday evening.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

    Minestrone Soup with Sausage

    Minestrone Soup with Sausage in white bowl with spoonful.Pin
    Minestrone Soup with Sausage. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Minestrone soup with sausage is packed with beans, vegetables, and protein. It's a one-pot meal that's easy to customize based on what's in the pantry. This version adds a little extra substance without much cost or time. It's a smart pick when you want something dependable that goes beyond a typical weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup with Sausage

    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.Pin
    Ciambotta Italian Vegetable Stew. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Ciambotta is a vegetable-packed stew that's simple to prepare and easy to reheat. It works as a main or side and doesn't require anything fancy. The flavors build up nicely without needing hours of cooking. This stew makes a midweek dinner feel like it came with more thought and care.
    Get the Recipe: Ciambotta Italian Vegetable Stew

    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.Pin
    Crock Pot Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Crock pot tomato soup is one of the easiest ways to get dinner on the table without doing much at all. It uses just a handful of ingredients and takes care of itself throughout the day. You can serve it with grilled cheese or crackers for a full meal. This is the kind of low-effort option that works well when Tuesday feels a little too long.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Tomato 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.Pin
    Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Slow cooker vegetable soup is a reliable way to get something warm and healthy on the table. It's easy to prep in the morning and makes enough to last for days. The ingredients are simple, and the flavor improves over time. It's a dependable option when you need something warm but don't have time to think about dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

    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.Pin
    Navy Bean and Ham Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Navy bean and ham soup is hearty and built from leftovers or pantry staples. It's one of those meals that doesn't cost much but still feels complete. The longer it cooks, the better it gets, making it great for slow simmering. This is a strong pick when Tuesday needs something with a little more comfort.
    Get the Recipe: Navy Bean and Ham 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.Pin
    Shrimp and Corn Bisque. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

    Shrimp and corn bisque brings together a mix of seafood and sweet corn in a thick, rich broth. It cooks quickly and feels like more effort than it actually takes. You can serve it on its own or with bread to round it out. It's a good way to make weeknight dinner feel just a little bit better than usual.
    Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Corn Bisque

    Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

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

    Greek lemon chicken soup is light but full of flavor, with a clean finish from the lemon. It's made with pantry basics and comes together quickly on a busy night. You can stretch it with bread or serve it as-is for a light dinner. This soup is a good choice when you want something quick that still feels like a break from routine.
    Get the Recipe: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

    Crock Pot Chili for Two

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

    Crock pot chili for two is a scaled-down version of a classic that's easy to set and forget. It's great for small households that don't want a week of leftovers. The flavor builds over time, and it reheats well if you do end up with a little extra. A solid option for when you want a warm meal without much cleanup or prep.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chili for Two

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

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    A woman in a green shirt stands in a kitchen holding a bowl of strawberries.

    Hi, I'm Lisa! I'm a cookbook author who has been creating recipes for over a decade. I'd like to show you how easy it is to downsize your cooking for one or two people.

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