15 Cozy Christmas Soup Recipes

ByTiffany Dahle Published:
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A warm bowl of Christmas soup served with fresh bread makes a hearty entree or an elegant first course for your holiday meal. Cozy up to these rich and yummy soup recipes this season.

The photo collage shows 4 different soups that could be served for Christmas.

Whether you're feeding a crowd or planning a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, these Christmas soup recipes will keep your season merry, delicious, and stress-free.

My hand-picked collection brings together the best of comfort and convenience. You'll find soothing classics like chicken noodle soup and Italian wedding soup, hearty crowd-pleasers like sausage and lentil, along with elegant starters like tomato bisque and French onion soup that are perfect for a festive dinner menu.

Many of my recipes come together quickly with time-saving tricks so you can spend less time cooking and more time with family.

How to Serve Soup at Christmas Time

If you're like me, you've got family coming to visit and staying for several days. Cooking for Christmas isn't just Christmas Eve and Day, there are all kinds of dinners leading up to the holiday that need something planned!

I love to do a soup night with baskets of fresh bread for an easy dinner in the days leading up to Christmas. Leftovers then make quick and easy lunches to keep everyone fueled while we finish up the holiday prep.

You could also choose a simple, creamy soup for an elegant first course if you're planning a multi-course holiday feast. I've got several great options for filling those little china bowls at everyone's place setting at the holiday table.

Here are my personal favorite soups to serve during Christmas week:

Tomato Bisque Soup

My easy tomato bisque soup is a rich, velvety soup that feels fancy enough for a Christmas dinner starter but would be perfect for pairing with a grilled cheese for Christmas Eve dinner.

Tomato Bisque Soup
Creamy tomato bisque soup is filled with softened vegetables for extra flavor and pureed for an elegant but easy soup to serve as a dinner entree for 8 or appetizer for 16.
5 from 1 vote
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A white soup bowl filled with tomato bisque has brown bread croutons floating on top.

Irish Potato Soup

This creamy Irish potato soup is a budget-friendly festive soup that feeds a hungry crowd. It is one of our favorite Irish recipes that we brought home after a big trip to Dublin and it makes an excellent first course starter.

Irish Potato Soup
Creamy Irish potato soup is loaded with farmhouse style vegetables and has all the classic flavors of a traditional Irish soup. Serve it as an elegant first course or cozy dinner with a sandwich.
5 from 6 votes
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A white bowl of creamy Irish potato soup has fresh chives sprinkled on top and a spoon on the side.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

This thick and creamy Instant Pot chicken and rice soup is a cozy classic that is perfect when you need something more filling after a day out in the snow. Tender chicken, wild rice, but no mushrooms, this is one of my kids' favorites.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup {or Stovetop}
Instant Pot chicken and rice soup is an easy weeknight dinner for your family made with wild rice, celery, and onions. Rich and creamy, this cozy comfort food is perfect for a chilly night and cooks in 15 minutes. Stovetop instructions are also included.
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A white bowl is filled with a creamy chicken and wild rice soup.

Spicy Sausage and Lentil Soup

With bold flavors and a stick-to-your-ribs texture, this spicy sausage and lentil soup is perfect for a Christmas open house when you've got lots of mouths to feed.

Spicy Sausage and Lentil Soup
Make a big batch of this sausage lentil soup to enjoy now and freeze some for later. You can adjust the spicy level by changing up the sausage seasonings easily.
5 from 2 votes
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A bowl of sausage lentil soup sits on an orange napkin with a spoon ready for eating.

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Instant Pot stuffed pepper soup brings all the cozy, savory flavors of classic stuffed peppers into a hearty one-pot meal that is so much easier to serve to the family during the holiday bustle.

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
Cozy stuffed pepper soup comes together quickly in the Instant Pot for a fast family dinner on a busy weeknight. Savory ground beef in a tomato-based soup broth with hearty chunks of bell peppers is delicious served with fresh bread or biscuits on the side.
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A white bowl with a spoon is filled with the tomato-based stuffed pepper soup.

Easy Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

This Crockpot chicken noodle soup has a fun twist thanks to a touch of tomato paste making it a more flavorful option for Christmas Eve. Keep it warm right in the slowcooker for family that likes to graze while they visit.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
This delicious and easy crockpot chicken soup is an easy healthy dinner to make on a lazy weekend afternoon or busy work night for your family. Tasty chunks of fresh vegetables and yummy egg noodles make this a big hit with kids.
4.50 from 2 votes
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A white bowl of chicken noodle soup sits on a blue plate. There are wavy egg noodles and fresh parsley peeking out of the broth.

Crockpot Tortellini Soup

Crockpot tortellini soup with ground beef is a great option when you need a set-it-and-forget-it soup to keep warm on the buffet table. With a rich tomato sauce and hearty green beans it's got the colors of the season while the cheesy tortellini and savory beef add a filling bit of protein to the mix.

Crockpot Tortellini Soup
This hearty slowcooker tortellini soup is the perfect vegetable soup to keep simmering on a busy day. Rich tomato broth, savory ground beef, and fluffy cheese tortellini make a satisfying dinner with fresh bread or a side salad.
5 from 2 votes
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A crockpot has tortellini soup with a tomato broth base.

Faster Matzo Ball Soup

My quick and easy matzo ball soup starts with a rotisserie chicken so you can focus on making the matzo balls. Plenty of fresh veggies make this a cozy addition to any winter meal.

Quick & Easy Matzo Ball Soup
This quick matzo ball soup is easy enough for a busy weeknight. Use a rotisserie chicken and get the soup simmering while the from-scratch matzo balls chill in the fridge. A wholesome dinner will be ready fast!
4.98 from 45 votes
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A bowl of homemade matzoh ball soup has a spoon showing the carrots and chicken while three matzoh balls float in the broth.

Red Chicken Chili

For a lighter twist on a classic soup favorite, my red chicken chili is loaded with vegetables and tender chicken but doesn't have any chili beans.

Red Chicken Chili with No Beans
Light and healthy red chicken chili with tons of tomatoes and fresh peppers but no beans. Top it with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and serve with tortilla chips for dunking.
4.43 from 28 votes
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A white bowl of tomato-based chicken chili has shredded cheddar and a dollop of sour cream on top.

Split Pea and Carrot Soup with Ham

If you're making a spiral ham for Christmas, save this awesome split pea and carrot soup with leftover ham for the next day! Not a single bite will go to waste.

BONUS: You can freeze the soup in smaller containers for easy dinners in January.

Split Pea and Carrot Soup with Leftover Ham
Hearty split pea and carrot soup is filled with fresh vegetables and savory ham from a leftover ham bone after a holiday feast. Seasoned with a bit of Creole seasoning and cayenne for a pinch of heat, this cozy soup is perfect for making ahead for the freezer.
5 from 1 vote
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A bowl of chunky split pea and carrot soup has chunks of ham floating in the broth.

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup

Sweet and sour cabbage soup offers a unique balance of tangy and savory that is both comforting and refreshing. This is a great palate cleanser during the heavy-eating holiday stretch.

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup
This easy sweet and sour cabbage soup is a delicious meatless soup made with tons of fresh veggies and a rich and unique beef and tomato based broth. Sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup and balanced with lots of fresh lemon juice for a fantastic sweet and sour flavor you'll love. Serve with warm, fresh bread for a healthy dinner and freeze the leftovers for a quick meal another time.
5 from 6 votes
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A white bowl of cabbage soup with a spoon on the side.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

I love Ina Garten's version of this chicken pot pie soup but mine uses more budget-friendly ingredients so it is a reasonable dish to serve for your family during the expensive holiday season.

Ina's Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This budget-friendly version of Ina Garten's chicken pot pie soup recipe is easier to make and more affordable for real world families but still has all the amazing homemade flavor from the original.
4.34 from 3 votes
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A bowl of chicken pot pie soup has a croissant on the plate next to it.

Easy Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup brings together tender meatballs, greens, and tiny pasta for a festive dish that feels both elegant and cozy for the holidays.

Italian Wedding Soup
Easy Instant Pot Italian wedding soup can also be made on the stovetop for a quick weeknight dinner using frozen meatballs for a fast shortcut.
5 from 1 vote
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A bowl of soup has meatballs, couscous, and carrots with spinach in chicken broth.

French Onion Soup

Topped with bubbly cheese and crusty bread, French onion soup is always a show-stopping starter for Christmas dinner or a New Year's Eve celebration.

French Onion Soup
This rich beefy French Onion Soup is a delicious cozy comfort dish for a family meal. Elegant enough to serve to company, too! Topped with a crispy baguette and ooey-gooey melted cheese.
3.75 from 4 votes
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A bowl of French onion soup has toasted baguette slices with melted cheese over the top.

Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup is a classic winter warmer with rich, slow-simmered flavor but it makes the best Christmas soup because you can prep it ahead the day before and rest assured it will taste even better after it has rested in the fridge overnight!

Beef and Barley Soup
This hearty beef and barley soup is an easy one-pot meal loaded with tender beef, wholesome veggies, and tender barley. It's a classic cold-weather favorite that improves in flavor as it rests in the fridge, making it a perfect prep-ahead dinner for a busy weeknight.
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A bowl of thick, beefy stew with vegetables and barley is topped with fresh parsley.

What to Serve with Soup

You can make any of these festive Christmas soups a full blown meal by adding an easy Crock Pot sandwich or a delicious homemade bread. Soup also makes a fun side for a tray of chicken sliders.

If you choose one of the slowcooker recipes in particular, soup is an excellent potluck side dish for Christmas, too!

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The photo collage shows 4 different soup recipes to serve at Christmas time.

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