Healthy Living

Making soup from scratch is a great way to use up your late summer bounty and newly in-season veggies, like butternut squash and sweet potato. Skip the store-bought versions and try some of our favorite takes on classic, comforting recipes that taste even better homemade. From our highly-rated Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili to our classic-but-elevated Sichuan Ramen Cup of Noodles with Cabbage & Tofu, these hearty bowls are the adaptable, better-for-you version of anything you’ll find on the shelf.

01 of 07

Tomato Soup

This healthy tomato soup recipe is perfect paired with your favorite grilled cheese sandwich. Make a double batch and freeze the extra for rainy-day emergencies.

View Recipe

02 of 07

Sheet-Pan Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Roasting the vegetables in the oven before blending them intensifies their flavors, resulting in a deeply rich and flavorful fall soup. We love the sweet and nutty flavor of butternut squash, but any winter squash with a similar texture, such as acorn, honeynut or kabocha squash, can be used in its place.

View Recipe

03 of 07

Classic Chicken Soup

Classic chicken noodle soup gets a healthy upgrade with low-sodium chicken broth, whole-wheat egg noodles and tons of vegetables. To get a homemade stock flavor using store-bought broth, we simmer bone-in chicken breasts in the broth before adding the rest of the soup ingredients. But you're short on time, feel free to use pre-cooked chicken and start the recipe at step 2.

View Recipe

04 of 07

Healthy Cream of Mushroom Soup

This healthy version of the traditional cream of mushroom soup calls for you to puree half of the soup for that rich, creamy mouthfeel and leave the other half as is for hits of meaty texture. Don't skip the parsley and tarragon as both add a nice pop of color, and their flavors play so well with the mushrooms. Be sure to brown the mushrooms well as that'll add even more depth to the soup.

View Recipe

05 of 07

Sichuan Ramen Cup of Noodles with Cabbage & Tofu

The Sichuan province in the southwestern corner of China is known for its fiery dishes. Here, the richness of tahini tempers the spicy chile paste in this cup-of-noodles-style mason jar soup recipe. This vegan cup soup is packed with 19 grams of protein to keep you satisfied until your next meal. You can grind the Sichuan peppercorns in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, or crush them with the bottom of a heavy skillet.

View Recipe

06 of 07

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night.

View Recipe

07 of 07

Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hominy adds mild corn flavor, while poblanos provide smokiness in this chicken tortilla soup recipe. Spices like cumin, coriander and smoked paprika bring a bold flavor that's balanced by fresh lime juice.

View Recipe

These healthy and delicious vegetable sides are popular for a reason. Our melt-in-your-mouth recipes are the perfect dish that will impress everyone at your table, whether you’re hosting a crowd or dining solo. From our sweet and savory Melting Beets with Feta & Pistachios to classic Garlic-Parmesan Melting Potatoes, you can save all of these to a collection in MyRecipes with a single click.

01 of 09

Melting Beets with Goat Cheese

Roasting the beets with broth makes them crispy on the outside, yet tender on the inside. Crumbled goat cheese tops these melt-in-your-mouth beets for an easy side dish.

View Recipe

02 of 09

French Onion Melting Onions

These melt-in-your-mouth onions have all the flavors of a classic French onion soup. Beef broth makes the onions super tender, while a cheesy panko topping evokes the bread element of the soup. Serve these onions alongside roasted chicken or grilled steak for a winning side dish that just might steal the show.

View Recipe

03 of 09

Melting Sweet Potatoes with Herbs & Garlic

This savory spin on sweet potatoes uses earthy herbs and aromatics to help cut through the sweetness of the spuds, creating a beautifully balanced dish. Leaving the skins on helps the sweet potatoes retain some texture after being roasted, but they work just as well peeled. Look for sweet potatoes that are similar in diameter, which will help them cook at the same rate, and try smoked paprika instead of sweet to give them even more of a savory edge.

View Recipe

04 of 09

Melting Beets with Feta & Pistachios

Roasting beets and then adding liquid boosts flavor on the outside and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Crumbled feta cheese and pistachios top these sweet and savory beets for a delicious and easy side dish. Red, golden or Chioggia beets will work well here. No matter which you choose, the orange juice and zest will make them pop.

View Recipe

05 of 09

Marry Me Melting Cabbage

We gave Marry Me Chicken a vegetarian twist by replacing the traditional chicken with tender cabbage wedges, all coated in a rich and flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Sop up every last bit of sauce with a crusty hunk of whole-grain bread, or make it a main dish and serve it over brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.

View Recipe

06 of 09

Everything But the Bagel Melting Potatoes

These tender potatoes get a well-browned crust after they are roasted at high heat and absorb the broth that’s added to make them extra creamy in the center. Everything bagel seasoning, featuring seeds, roasted garlic and onion flakes, offers a delightful blend of flavors and a satisfying crunch. Make sure to space the potatoes out in the baking pan—place them too close together and they’ll steam rather than brown.

View Recipe

07 of 09

Balsamic-Rosemary Melting Beets

These Balsamic-Rosemary Melting Beets are an elegant way to showcase the delicious flavor of roasted beets. Roasting brings out their earthy depth, while a mixture of broth, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and honey adds brightness and complexity. Fresh rosemary infuses the dish with aromatic warmth, and a final swirl of cold butter creates a silky finish.

View Recipe

08 of 09

Melting Butternut Squash with Maple Butter

This melting butternut squash is caramelized on the outside and buttery-soft on the inside. The natural sweetness of the squash intensifies as it bakes, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s enhanced with sweet maple butter flavor. This simple yet elegant side dish is perfect for fall and pairs beautifully with roasted meats or grain bowls.

View Recipe

09 of 09

Garlic-Parmesan Melting Potatoes

Crispy, buttery, cheesy, garlicky potatoes—what else could you ask for? Serve these melt-in-your-mouth potatoes alongside steak, pork chops, chicken or fish. If you have leftovers, throw them into a breakfast scramble the next morning.

View Recipe