• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Cheap Soup Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 16, 2025, updated September 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 21 soups are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a warm meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up a comforting bowl of soup in no time. From classic favorites to creative twists, these recipes will keep your family satisfied and happy.

    We know "cheap" can mean different things to different people, so here you will find recipes fitting a variety of budgets. From very cheap, to non-expensive, and lots in between.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Slow Cooker Minestrone

    Slow cooker minestrone soup in a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Sidewalk Shoes.

    Slow Cooker Minestrone is a tasty and satisfying soup packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, all cooked together in one pot. This hearty dish is a classic Italian favorite that warms you up and fills you up. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Soup with Butternut Squash

    Chicken Soup with Butternut Squash.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto..

    This chicken soup is simple to prepare and all done in one pot. The winter squash brings a nice sweetness that gives it a cozy, comforting feel, perfect for chilly evenings. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something warm and filling.

    Get the Recipe

    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick dinner. It's simple to prepare and doesn't use any flour, relying instead on plenty of cream for a rich flavor. This classic soup is a comforting choice for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli

    Vegetarian pasta soup.
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Treaty.

    This thick and creamy pasta-and-bean soup is packed with flavor from rosemary, garlic, and smoked paprika. A drizzle of olive oil on top adds a nice touch, and pairing it with some fresh bread makes it a perfect cozy dinner. It's a simple and satisfying meal that warms you up on busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Soup

    A bowl of chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Soup is perfect for a cozy dinner that you can whip up in just over an hour. It's creamy with a hint of spice, making it a comforting choice for any night. This soup is a great way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Creamy Chicken Soup

    A bowl of creamy chicken soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This soup is packed with tender ditalini pasta, shredded chicken, and fresh vegetables all simmered in a creamy, flavorful broth. It's a warm and comforting dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is simple to prepare and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup

    Instant Pot Turkey Soup.
    Photo Credit: Maple + Mango.

    This Instant Pot Turkey Soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or any holiday meal. It combines turkey meat, broth made from the turkey bones, and a mix of vegetables and herbs. It's a simple and satisfying dish that can be made quickly, perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Potato Soup

    Chicken Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Chicken Potato Soup is a comforting dish filled with soft potatoes, creamy texture, and cheesy goodness. It comes together quickly in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. This soup is not only satisfying but also tastes even better the next day, so it's great for leftovers.

    Get the Recipe

    Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This soup is packed with protein from red lentils and is perfect for a filling meal. It features warming spices that add a nice flavor, making it a comforting choice for any night. You can easily whip it up using an Instant Pot, Crockpot, or just on the stove, so it fits well into a busy schedule.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Broccoli Pea Soup

    Spinach Broccoli Peas Soup.
    Photo Credit: Mildly Indian.

    This soup is surprisingly hearty and satisfying, perfect for a quick meal during a busy week. It's packed with flavor and will keep you feeling full without requiring a lot of effort in the kitchen. Enjoy a comforting bowl that warms you up and fills you up, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow cooker lasagna soup is a filling and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight. Using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, this soup comes together easily and requires very little prep work. It’s a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Spicy Chicken Soup

    Spicy chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This spicy chicken soup is perfect for when you want something warm and comforting. Made with half a chicken and two kinds of chili, it’s full of flavor and has a nice kick to it. You can whip it up in under an hour, and it’s low in carbs, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Plus, it freezes well, so you can always have some ready to go.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot 15 Bean Soup

    15 Bean Soup Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    A busy day calls for a simple and satisfying meal, and 15 Bean Soup in a crock pot fits the bill perfectly. This slow cooker ham and bean soup is incredibly easy to prepare, allowing you to set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things. It's a comforting dish that warms you up and fills you up, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Nacho Soup

    Slow Cooker Nacho Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Nacho Soup brings all the great flavors of nachos into a warm, comforting bowl. With ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning, this dish is packed with taste. It’s an easy meal to prepare in a crock pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Zucchini Leek Soup

    Zucchini Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    This zucchini leek soup is warm and comforting, filled with healthy greens, potatoes, and herbs. It's a tasty dairy-free option that's great for a light dinner or a healthy lunch. Plus, it comes together quickly in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    Creamy chicken and rice soup is easy to whip up and perfect for a cozy dinner. It features a mix of carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, chicken, and rice, all seasoned just right and finished with a touch of cream. This soup is great to enjoy with a grilled cheese sandwich or some crusty bread, especially on a chilly night.

    Get the Recipe

    Taco Soup

    Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Soup combines seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes for a hearty meal that brings a new spin to taco night. It's easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings, making it a fun and colorful dish. This soup is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: It's Not Complicated Recipes.

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup is a dish that everyone in the family will love. It features tender, shredded chicken and chewy pearl barley, packed with a variety of vegetables in a rich, creamy broth. This soup is filling and comforting, perfect for a cozy dinner. Pair it with some crusty bread, and you have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Mexican Chicken Soup

    Mexican Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks..

    Zesty Mexican Chicken Soup is full of flavor and ideal for a cold day. With shredded chicken, Salsa Verde, and plenty of vegetables, this soup is a comforting dish that will warm you right up.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Tomato Soup

    Crockpot Tomato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Crockpot Tomato Soup is a creamy and comforting dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in. With just a few simple ingredients you probably already have at home, you can enjoy a warm bowl of delicious tomato soup without spending much time in the kitchen. This easy slow cooker recipe is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying and tasty.

    Get the Recipe

    Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

    Chicken noodle soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This spicy soup is packed with Thai flavors and is just what you need for a cozy meal. It's a great option when you're looking for something warm and comforting. Perfect for busy weeknights, this soup is easy to make and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Beef barley stew.
      26 Slow Cooker Potluck Wonders That Will Have Everyone Grabbing Seconds
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      22 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners for Every Comfort Food Craving
    • A spoonful of company casserole being lifted out of a pan full.
      23 Cozy Casseroles That Will Make You Feel Right at Home
    • Pumpkin spice pretzel bites.
      21 Ideas for What to Bake This Fall

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Taco soup.
      21 Cheap Soup Recipes for Busy Weeknights
    • Slow cooker enchilada casserole.
      18 One-Dish Crockpot Recipes That Will Make You Love Cooking Again
    • Creamy tuna pasta bake.
      23 Dump-And-Go Pasta Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
    • Bourbon french toast casserole with brioche bread.
      25 Breakfast Potluck Ideas That Will Steal the Show

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB