Sometimes you don't have time to make a complicated dinner, and that's when these dump soup recipes come in extra-handy. There is no lengthy prep or long list of steps, so you are just minutes away from a simmering pot of comforting soup.
Some dinners start with a plan. Others start with a can of tomatoes and a prayer, and that’s when dump soup recipes become your secret weapon. They’re the kind of meals you pull together between errands, after work or on nights when sauteeing onions is one step too many. Just like shortcut soups, these recipes don’t ask for much. With a handful of pantry staples, a few minutes to combine everything and a little trust that it will all come together, dinner will be ready before you know it.
This collection has family-friendly dump soups inspired by tacos and hamburgers, vegetable-loaded minestrone and boldly flavored spicy sausage soup. Most are endlessly adaptable too. Swap in shredded rotisserie chicken for another meat or use a different canned bean or lentil if you don’t have the one the recipe calls for. Many of these easy soup recipes can be frozen for future meals—just make sure you know which soups freeze well and which you should refrigerate instead. If you are cooking for a crowd, these soups are easy to double since most start with canned and pantry-friendly staples.
Dump soups may be low on prep, but they’re not low on flavor. They work when you’re short on time, light on groceries or just need an easy dinner plan. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes them the best kind of comfort food.
Taco Soup
Slow-Cooker Minestrone
Tomato Tortellini Soup
Hamburger Soup
Navy Bean Soup
Instant Pot Potato Soup
Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder
Quick White Chili
Vegan Cabbage Soup
Chorizo and Chickpea Soup
Cheese Chicken Soup
French Onion Tortellini Soup
Roast Pork Soup
Beef Noodle Soup
Great Northern Bean Stew
Easy Dutch Oven Minestrone Soup
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Dump Soup Recipes FAQ
What ingredients can I use to make dump soups?
Dump soup recipes use everyday ingredients like canned beans and tomatoes, broth, frozen vegetables, pasta and cooked proteins. The staples go straight into the pot with almost no additional cooking. These easy one-pot soups are also a great way to use up leftovers, like cooked quinoa, rice or roasted vegetables. For plant-based versions, try chickpeas, tofu or great northern beans instead of meat.
What cooking methods are best for easy dump soup recipes?
Using a slow cooker or pressure cooker and simmering on the stovetop are excellent methods for cooking one-pot dump soup recipes. Slow cookers work well when you want to set it and forget it, especially for soups with dry beans or grains that need extra time to become tender. Pressure cookers, such as Instant Pots, speed things up while still giving you that long-simmered flavor. Using a sturdy pot on the stovetop is ideal for weeknight soups that quickly bubble away until the ingredients soften while you set the table.
What one-pot soups can I make ahead of time?
Soups with hearty ingredients like lentils, beans, potatoes or chicken hold up well when made in advance. Avoid adding delicate ingredients like pasta or dairy until reheating to prevent sogginess or separation. If storing in the freezer, use our favorite reusable freezer containers for soup to simplify portioning and reheating. To keep the texture intact and avoid freezer burn, let your soup cool fully before storing.
