20 Classic Italian Soup Recipes

Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone

This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon

Ribollita

Ribollita, also known as bread soup, is a hearty and flavorful Italian dish that uses up stale bread. If you'd like the bread to have more texture, toast it before stirring it into the soup. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Basil Tomato Soup with Orzo

The soup is so scrumptious that it is worth the time it takes to cut up the fresh basil. I believe it is even better the next day, after the flavors have had a chance to blend in the refrigerator overnight.—Tonia Billbe, Elmira, New York

Quick Ravioli & Spinach Soup

I love my Italian American traditions, but I never had time to make a classic Italian wedding soup. So I created this shortcut version with ravioli. —Cynthia Bent, Newark, Delaware

Meatball Soup

This meatball soup recipe is a hearty meal. It's great for chilly days. —Sue Miller, Walworth, Wisconsin

Ravioli Soup

My family's love of pasta dishes inspired my to create this thick and hearty soup. People always rave about the rich tomato base and tender pockets of cheese-filled ravioli. —Shelley Way, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Italian Wedding Soup

Even in hot weather, this soup always satisfies! I add cooked pasta at the end of the cooking time to keep it from getting mushy. —Nancy Ducharme, Deltona, Florida

Hearty Pasta Fagioli

Here's an Italian favorite made easier by using prepared spaghetti sauce and canned broth for the flavorful base. —Cindy Garland, Limestone, Tennessee

Italian Sausage Kale Soup

My mom dehydrates the last pick of tomatoes from her garden each fall—perfect for quick soups like this one. When I have time to prepare dried beans, I do—but don't worry if you don't. Canned beans are just as good. —Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois

Italian Zucchini Soup

This Italian zucchini soup recipe was given to me by my neighbor. Nice and simple, it's a good way to use a lot of your zucchini and other garden vegetables. It freezes well and is great to have on hand on a cold winter day. —Clara Mae Chambers, Superior, Nebraska

Chicken Gnocchi Pesto Soup

After tasting a similar soup at a restaurant, I created this quick and tasty version. The pesto adds an extra-nice Italian flavor that is often missing from other gnocchi soups. —Deanna Smith, Des Moines, Iowa

Slow-Cooker Lasagna Soup

Every fall and winter, our staff has a soup rotation. I have modified this recipe so I can prep it the night before and put it in the slow cooker in the morning. My colleagues love it! —Sharon Gerst, North Liberty, Iowa

One-Pot Spinach Beef Soup

My idea of a winning weeknight meal is this beefy soup that simmers in one big pot. Grate some Parmesan and pass the crackers. —Julie Davis, Jacksonville, Florida

Potato, Sausage & Kale Soup

I let my young son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals a restaurant version that we love. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York

Flavorful Meatball Soup

My husband and I are both diabetics and like to find tasty recipes that are in line with our dietary requirements. I like to serve my meatball soup with baked wheat tortilla triangles, fresh fruit and a variety of cubed cheeses. —Rebecca Phipps, Rural Hall, North Carolina

Chicken & Spinach Tortellini Soup

Shredded rotisserie chicken is complemented by fresh green spinach and cheese tortellini in this quick-to-fix soup. It makes a great starter or a light meal with a salad and crusty bread. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

Italian-Style Lentil Soup

I cook with lentils often because they're a nutritious, inexpensive source of protein. This low-fat soup is one of my favorite ways to use them. To make it even heartier, add ground beef, cooked sausage or leftover cubed chicken. —Rachel Keller, Roanoke, Virginia

Pizza Soup

This family favorite is done in no time at all. I like to serve it with a crusty bread or garlic bread, and I’ll sometimes use bacon or salami instead of pepperoni (just like a pizza)! —Janet Beldman, London, Ontario

Italian Sausage Orzo Soup

I always look for recipes high in taste and nutrition but low on prep time and fat. This thick, chunky soup fills the bill and is such a family favorite that I serve it at least once a month! —Deborah Redfield, Buena Park, California

Seafood Soup

Salmon, shrimp and loads of chopped veggies make this chowder a hearty, herby meal-in-a-bowl. It's just the perfect homemade fish soup. —Valerie Bradley, Beaverton, Oregon