5 Delicious and Healthy Soup Ideas for Autumn

As soup season is upon us, and there’s no better way to warm up on a chilly autumn day than with a hearty bowl, you could reach for canned soups thinking making one from scratch is too much effort, use your slow cooker if you need to go out during the day, or take to cooking it yourself using one of the many recipes out there. It’s a great lunch to take a thinner version to work in a flask or pot.

Here are some ideas and simple recipes that you can easily adapt.

1. Roasted pumpkin soup with sage and Parmesan croutons
A creamy pumpkin soup is the perfect comfort food for a cool autumn day. Roasting the pumpkins first gives the soup a lovely depth of flavour, while the sage and Parmesan croutons add a cheesy crunch. Yum! Simply add pumpkin or butternut squash to your stock and simmer with additional vegetables if you desire. Leave on a medium heat until cooked and then liquidise. Keep adding a little more liquid if required through the cooking process, but make sure you don’t dilute the flavours too much. Add back into the pan for a few moments on a low heat, add parmesan croutons and you are ready to serve.

2. Roasted cauliflower soup with cumin and crispy chickpeas
This flavour-packed soup is perfect for vegans and vegetarians. The roasted cauliflower gives the soup a lovely sweetness, while the cumin adds a touch of spice. The crispy chickpeas are a delicious and healthy alternative to croutons. Simply roast your cauliflower and chickpeas (coated in spices of your choice – I like garam masala) on a low heat for around 30 minutes. Then chop the vegetables and add to your vegetable stock. Add your chickpeas right at the end.

3. Minestrone with pesto
This classic Italian recipe is packed full of healthy veggies like carrots, celery, and tomatoes. The addition of pesto gives it a lovely flavoursome kick.serve with some grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra deliciousness! I like to cheat on this one and take a dry soup mix of minestrone (shhhh don’t tell anyone!), add to a cooking pot along with all the chopped vegetables, chopped tomatoes. Bring to the boil and then simmer on a low heat until the vegetables soften, add your pesto and stir at the last minute.

4. Creamy tomato with grilled cheese croutons
This rich and creamy tomato soup is the perfect comfort food for a rainy day. The grilled cheese croutons add a delightful cheesy twist. This vibrant red soup is full of flavour thanks to the roasted red peppers and smoked paprika. It’s perfect for vegans and vegetarians, and makes a perfect starter or main course. Simply bring your vegetable or chicken stock to the boil, add frozen chopped vegetables, roasted peppers and smoked paprika. Simmer until cooker and then liquidise before serving with grilled cheese croutons sprinkled on top. Add fresh chopped herbs to serve, I like to add basil, but oregano is equally as good.

5. Chicken noodle soup
This classic chicken noodle soup is comforting, warming, and packed full of health benefits thanks to the chicken and veggies. It’s also super easy to make, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights! `Add your your chicken stock to a cooking pot and bring to the boil, add shredded cooked chicken, noodles and chopped frozen vegetables.

As well as following a recipe, one of the easiest ways to make soup is by using up leftoevers from the day before, things like stews, meat, fish for example, can easily be chucked in a pot and cooked in some stock. Add spices like ginger, or paprika to add a little kick, then thicken up or add butter to give it a little richness.

The Best Soup Toppings

1. Croutons
Croutons are a classic topping and for good reason. They’re cheap, easy to make, and they add a nice crunch to soup. Plus, they soak up all that delicious broth! If you’re looking for a way to use up some old bread, croutons are the perfect solution. Just cut it into small cubes, toss with some olive oil and your favourite seasonings, and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. Voila!

2. Fried onions
Fried onions are another great way to add some crunch to your soup. They also have the added benefit of being ridiculously tasty. Just slicing up some onions and frying them in a bit of oil is enough to transform your soup from meh to magnificent. And if you really want to take things up a notch, you can try making onion rings. Simply slice an onion into thin rings, coat in batter, and fry until crispy.

3. Cheese
Cheese is always a good idea, and it’s no different when it comes to soup toppings. Whether you choose to grate some over your soup or melt it down into little cheesy balls, cheese is sure to take your soup to the next level. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try deep-fried cheese balls. Yes, they’re as good as they sound. Simply mix grated cheese with an egg and breadcrumbs, shape into balls, and fry until golden brown and oozing with cheesy goodness. !

4. Bacon bits
Bacon makes everything better! Whether you cook up some bacon specifically for your soup or use leftovers from breakfast, bacon bits are guaranteed to take your recipe from good to great. And if you really want to go all out, you could even try making bacon croutons! Simply cook bacon until crisp, chop into small pieces, and toss with bread cubes before baking in a preheated oven until golden brown. So good!

5. Fresh herbs
Fresh herbs are the perfect way to brighten up any dish! A sprinkle of parsley or chives can do wonders for plain old vegetable soup, while chopped basil or oregano will take tomato soup to new heights. If you really want your guests to be impressed, try garnishing with some microgreens or edible flowers—they’ll look beautiful AND taste great!

6. Seeds and nuts
Seeds and nuts are another great way to add some crunch to while also boosting its nutritional value. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds…the list goes on! As for nuts, almonds and cashews are always a good choice. Just be sure to toast them first for maximum flavour (and don’t forget about those with nut allergies!).

7. Sour cream or yogurt
Sour cream, crème fraiche or yogurt might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about toppings but trust us—they’re worth a try! They add creaminess without making your soup heavy, plus they help balance out all that salty goodness from all those other toppings (bacon bits we’re looking at you!).

Tips for Storing Soup for Cafe Owners

As a cafe or takeaway owner in the UK, you will know that your customers love having a hot, hearty bowl of soup to warm them up on a cold day. The same is true if you are a keen home cook.

It is a great way to use up leftovers, things like roast dinners and stews can be turned into a delightful soup without too much effort. simply add liquid stock, heat up and eat!

Soup is also a meal that can be easily frozen and reheated. However, there are some things you should keep in mind when storing so it doesn’t go bad. Here are some tips:

-Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Glass jars with screw-on lids can also work well.

-It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave space at the top of the container so the soup has room to expand as it freezes.

-To reheat, defrost the soup in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stovetop in a pot or in the microwave.

-When reheating, be sure to bring the soup to a simmer so it is piping hot throughout, you may need to add more cooking liquid or stock to thick soups.

-If you find yourself with extra soup, consider packaging it up into individual portions and selling it as frozen meals. This is a great way to make some extra money and clear out your cafe’s refrigerator at the same time!

At Takeaway Supplies, we have a range of storage containers as well as cups and bowls to serve amazing soups to your customers ensuring they are served hot.