10 Make-Ahead Soups That Freeze Well for the Cold Months Ahead
- Freezing soup can be a convenient way to have meals ready ahead of time, but certain ingredients like potatoes and pasta may not freeze well.
I am a soup lover during the cooler months and honestly, there is no way I am cooking every day, so I love things I can make ahead, freeze and reheat, like these soups!
Make-ahead soups are literally a lifesaver in the fall and winter, but there are a few tips and rules to follow when it comes to having them taste just as good as they did the first time.
Can you freeze potato soup?
Don't freeze potatoes in the soup. Potatoes will fall apart when freezing and give you a chunky consistency. Actually, I do freeze potatoes and just use a stick blender on the soup when reheating. Keep this in mind when choosing which soups to freeze and how to serve them once they're reheated!
Rules for freezing soup
There are a few rules when freezing soups. Here are a few to keep in mind:
1. Skip the pasta. If adding in pasta, leave it out until you serve it. Pasta tends to break up in the freezer. It will taste good, so if that is your only concern, then go ahead and leave it in.
2. Leave out anything you wait to add until the last 5 minutes, such as fresh herbs. They offer much more to the soup when added when reheating.
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3. Undercook vegetables a little. They will cook more during reheating, so slightly undercooking them helps prevent mush.
4. Cream soups will get very thick after freezing, you will need to reheat gently (I prefer a simmer on the stovetop) and add milk or cream a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
I put together my best freezer soupsfor you with little tips and tricks on how to reheat them perfectly. Enjoy!
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The Slow Roasted Italian
This chicken and dumplings recipe is thick and creamy, but made without canned cream soup! Ready in just 30 minutes—it freezes perfectly.
Get the recipe: 30-Minute Chicken and Dumplings
Chad A Elick
This soup recipe features chicken, broccoli and rice in the creamiest cheese soup ever! A scrumptious one-pot meal that goes from prep to plate in 25 minutes! It freezes perfectly. To reheat, defrost then add to a saucepan. Add milk a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Broccoli-Cheese Soup with Chicken and Rice
Chad A Elick
30-Minute Hearty Italian Basil Sausage Soup is loaded with basil, sausage and a few more ingredients to make this stick-to-your-ribs soup! Freezes perfectly. To reheat, simply defrost, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat and add water as needed until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: 30-Minute Hearty Italian Basil Sausage Soup
Chad A Elick
Bacon Double Cheeseburger Beer Cheese Soup is loaded with thick-cut bacon and seasoned ground beef in the most scrumptious beer cheese soup. One pot, 30 minutes and you have dinner. It freezes perfectly. To reheat, defrost then add to a saucepan. Add milk a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Bacon Double Cheeseburger Beer Cheese Soup
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The Best-Ever Chicken Tortilla Soup starts off with three types of corn: kernel corn, hominy and corn tortilla strips on top. With a base like that, you know it has to be good. Selected smoky spices and fresh chicken and jalapeños help create a fabulous base for the petite tomatoes, black beans and red bell peppers. This soup is a winner and it's ready in 30 minutes! Freezes perfectly. To reheat, simply defrost, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat and add chicken broth or water as needed, until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: The Best Ever Chicken Tortilla Soup
Related: 200+ Best Slow Cooker Recipes
Chad A Elick
This soup replaces the cans and tastes so good, you can eat it alone! A necessity in your cookbook. To reheat, simply defrost, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat and add chicken broth (or milk) as needed, until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Chad A Elick
Light Italian Meatball Soup is loaded with veggies and lean meatballs cooked in a light tomato broth. Ready in just 30 minutes. Freezes perfectly. To reheat, simply defrost, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat and add chicken broth or water as needed until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Light Italian Meatball Soup
Chad A Elick
30-Minute Italian Sausage and Pepper Soup is a broth-based soup packed with hot Italian sausage and colorful bell peppers in a scrumptious tomato broth that makes this fabulous hearty dish completely hit the spot. This soup is a perfect freezer meal, too! Just let it cool and pack it in plastic containers or resealable plastic bags and freeze. When you are ready to enjoy simply thaw and reheat on the stove top or in the microwave. The soup will keep for six months in the freezer. All that and just 30 minutes from prep to plate and it'll be on your menu again and again.
Get the recipe: 30-Minute Italian Sausage and Pepper Soup
Chad A Elick
Wendy's Copycat Chili is a fabulous hearty copycat chili packed with beef and beans! This recipe is bursting with flavor; the green chiles really give this chili great character with with a little smokiness and a little heat, just adapt to your liking. Ready in 30 minutes and freezes perfectly. To reheat, simply defrost, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat and add water as needed until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Wendy's Copycat Chili
Related: The 11 Greatest Bread Bowl Soup Recipes of All Time
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BACON.BEER.CHEESE ready in 25 minutes. It's thick and creamy and amazingly cheesy, with just the perfect spices to make your taste buds stand at attention. It also freezes perfectly. To reheat, defrost then add to a saucepan. Add milk a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached. Serve and enjoy!
Get the recipe: 25-Minute Bacon Beer Cheese Soup
Related: The 11 Greatest Bread Bowl Soup Recipes of All Time
