Stir it up: 15 soups & stews that break all the rules

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Get ready to stir things up with these 15 soups and stews that flip the script on tradition. Forget the rules and dig into bowls that are anything but ordinary. Each one packs a punch with unexpected twists and bold flavors that keep you guessing with every spoonful. If you’re tired of the same old broths and stews, these bowls are here to shake things up in the most delicious way possible!

Hungarian Goulash in two white bowls.
Authentic Hungarian Goulash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup

A closeup of a bowl of Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup.
Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ready for a plot twist in your soup game? Nobody expects Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup, but once it hits the kitchen, it’s like the underdog story of the year. This dish blends the gentle sweetness of sweet potatoes with the unsuspecting hero – cauliflower. It’s so good, you might forget you’re actually eating vegetables, and it could easily become the reason your kids finally acknowledge your cooking skills.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup

Beef Bourguignon

Beef bourguignon in a white bowl with thyme.
Beef Bourguignon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

So, you finally decided to dust off that old pot in your kitchen, and what better to fill it with than a rich, hearty stew that’s been a classic since forever? Halfway through the cooking, you’ll be adding Beef Bourguignon, transforming simple ingredients into a feast that even your neighbor, who never says much, will praise. And if you mess it up, just call it “rustic” – nobody will know.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bourguignon

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Two Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat soup recipes on a table.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ever wanted to eat your way to Italy without leaving the comfort of your slippers? Chicken Gnocchi Soup is your first-class ticket! It’s creamy, it’s dreamy, and with soft pillowy gnocchi floating around, it’s like your favorite Italian grandma decided to show you some love. Just when you think it can’t get any better, the tender chicken pieces whisper, “Yes, it can.”
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Smoked Beef Stew

A white bowl filled with smoked beef stew.
Smoked Beef Stew. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

You’ve probably hustled through a tough day, but this stew waits at home like a warm hug from Mom. Simmering all day, Smoked Beef Stew turns tough into tender and simple into scrumptious. It’s like a warm, smoky hug in a bowl, promising to fight off the chill with every spoonful. Let’s be honest, it’s basically the equivalent of snuggling by the fire but better because you can actually eat it.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Stew

Cullen Skink

Cullen Skink in two bowls with crusty bread in the background.
Cullen Skink. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Look, the world of fish soup is a fierce battleground, but Cullen Skink strides in with your favorite ingredients like it’s nobody’s business. This dish isn’t just soup; it’s a hearty meal that sticks to your bones and makes you wonder why it’s not more famous. After a bowl of this, you’ll wanna wear a kilt and proclaim your love for Scottish cuisine from the rooftops. It’s that good.
Get the Recipe: Cullen Skink

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup in two white bowls with garnishes nearby.
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

So you thought all tortilla soups were created equal? Think again. Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup comes swaggering in, tossing smoked chicken into the mix like it’s the secret handshake of soups. Every spoonful is like the climax of a spice-packed, flavor-blasted, cooking action movie, where the hero – yes, the smoked chicken – always wins.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Over the Top Chili

Over the Top Chili in a black cast iron bowl.
Over the Top Chili. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Everyone and their grandma have a chili recipe, but none of them hold a candle to Over the Top Chili. This isn’t just chili; it’s a bold declaration of flavors coming at you in waves of meaty, beany goodness. When you serve this, you’re not just feeding folks; you’re making a statement that you understand the assignment entirely. It’s the chili that could start peaceful negotiations – it’s that impressive.
Get the Recipe: Over the Top Chili

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup in 2 bowls with spoons.
Pasta e Fagioli Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s soup, and then there’s Pasta e Fagioli Soup, which is essentially the food equivalent of a bear hug from an Italian nonna. It’s got pasta, beans, and just the right amount of spice to make you feel loved and warmed from the inside out. Forget the flight to Italy; your kitchen’s about to be the next best thing. And when people moan about loving it, just nod knowingly.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Beef Goulash

Beef stew in a white bowl with a fork.
Beef Goulash. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

If ever there was a stew that could make you feel like you’re sitting in a cozy Hungarian cottage, it’s Beef Goulash. This is where tender beef meets paprika in a flavor explosion so comforting, you’ll start wondering if you have any Hungarian relatives you didn’t know about. It’s the kind of dish that insists you go back for seconds, even if you swore you were full. And honestly, resistance is futile.
Get the Recipe: Beef Goulash

Chicken Zoodle Soup

A person holding a bowl of chicken and zucchini soup.
Chicken Zoodle Soup. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Who said eating your veggies has to be a chore? Chicken Zoodle Soup swoops in to save the day, doing somersaults around your average noodle soup. Zucchini noodles make it not just a light and healthy option but also way more fun to spoon up. It’s the soup that leaves you feeling virtuous for eating your greens while secretly being delighted about it.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Zoodle Soup

Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

A bowl of Texas roadhouse chili with jalapenos and beans.
Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Have you ever wished you could recreate that one amazing chilli you had that one time at Texas Roadhouse? Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe is here to end your longing. It’s packed with such robust flavor and hearty ingredients; you’ll be half-convinced you’re actually dining out. Just be prepared for a parade of friends and family suddenly finding reasons to stop by around dinner time.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe

Steak & Potato Soup

Steak & Potato Soup in a black bowl.
Steak & Potato Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When the days grow short and the air gets crisp, it’s time to bring out the big guns – Steak & Potato Soup. This isn’t a soup for the faint of heart. It’s where steak and potatoes, the dynamic duo of the comfort food world, come together in a broth that’s so rich and tasty, you might just forget about winter altogether. So, buckle up, because it’s about to get deliciously cozy in here.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Potato Soup

White Chicken Chili

Two cast iron bowls filled with White Chicken Chili.
White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Sometimes, in the world of chilis, you stumble upon a recipe that’s so refined and so packed with flavor, it deserves to be in a league of its own. Enter White Chicken Chili, a dish so beautifully balanced and satisfying, it’s like the cashmere sweater of comfort food. With every spoonful, you get a gentle kick of heat, tender chicken, and a creamy broth that just begs for a second helping.
Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup in two bowls with spoons nearby.
Broccoli Cheese Soup. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Let’s face it, broccoli alone never sparked joy for many, but throw it into a pot with cheese and transform it into Broccoli Cheese Soup, and suddenly it’s everyone’s favorite vegetable. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and frankly, so good, you might actually feel clever for eating your greens. Get ready for a soup that’s going to make you wish for a colder climate, just so you have an excuse to indulge more often.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup

Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash in two white bowls.
Authentic Hungarian Goulash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Whip out your Hungarian phrases because once you’ve had a taste of Authentic Hungarian Goulash, you’ll be saying thank you in no time. This isn’t just food; it’s a warm, paprika-infused hug in a bowl, bringing comfort and contentment with every bite. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself daydreaming about strolling through Budapest with a hearty bowl in hand. It’s that type of meal.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Hungarian Goulash

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