Quick and Simple Soups—Cheap and Delicious

Soup Recipes for the Budget Minded Family Meal Planner

© Debby Mayne

Nov 11, 2009

Soup is one of the easiest meals to prepare, and with so many mix and match varieties, there’s no reason to run out of ideas. Meat lovers, vegetarians and dieters can look forward to meals that will warm them from the inside out. Involve everyone on the family for weekly meal planning and preparation. Even the youngest of children can help put together a delicious pot of soup.

Hearty Bean Soup

Loaded with protein, this hearty soup will satisfy even the biggest appetite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of diced ham
• 2 can of navy beans
• 2 cans of kidney beans
• 1 chopped medium onion
• 1 cup of chopped carrots
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 2 cups of water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a pot.
2. Cook until the vegetables are done.
3. Serve with whole wheat bread or cornbread.

Quickie Vegetable Pasta Soup

For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with 2 cans of navy or pinto beans.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 pound of cubed beef or ground beef
• 1 can of cut green beans
• 1 can of green peas
• 1 can of diced or sliced carrots
• 1 can of whole kernel corn
• 1 can of creamed corn
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup of small shaped pasta (elbow macaroni, alphabet or orzo)
• 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and brown the beef.
2. Drain the green beans, peas, carrots and whole kernel corn and pour into a large soup pot.
3. Add the ground beef, creamed corn, tomatoes and water to the pot and stir.
4. Bring to a boil and add the pasta.
5. Cook until the pasta is tender.
6. Serve with the family’s favorite bread.

Tummy Warming Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing warms the family up on a cold day than delicious and healthy chicken soup.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of diced or shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup of diced carrots
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 3 cups of water
• 2 cups of egg noodle pasta

Directions:

1. Put chicken, diced carrots, chopped celery and water in a large soup pot.
2. Bring the ingredients to a boil.
3. Add bouillon cubes and simmer for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Pour in the pasta and cook until tender.
5. Serve with crackers or bread.

Crowd Favorite Lentil Soup

Soup lovers are sure to enjoy this healthy and delicious lentil soup.

Ingredients

• 1 package of dried lentils
• 1 can of chopped spinach
• 1 chopped onion
• 1/2 cup of grated carrots
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 4 cups of water
• 1 small can of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Wash lentils and remove debris.
2. Pour into a soup pot and add spinach, onion, carrots, celery, garlic powder and water.
3. Bring to a boil and add tomato paste, olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. Stir until the tomato paste is dissolved.
5. Cook until the lentils are tender.
6. Serve with coarse bread and cheese.

Meal Stretcher

Soup is the idea food to serve large crowds. It is easy, inexpensive and goes a long way.

Quick, Easy, Cheap and Satisfying Soup

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