Recipes

Food

Cooking

Travel

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Passport Kitchen

12 Old-Timey Soups Like Grandma Used to Make (And You Can Make Tonight)

March 17, 2025 by Amanda Tyler Leave a Comment

Share on

I’ve always associated soup with comfort, especially with my grandmother, who used to make the most delicious meat-vegetable soup. It was a real labor of love for her, especially as she got older and peeling vegetables got harder for her. 

Whenever I make a pot of soup and serve it to people, I feel like I’m serving up bowls of love and care. These old-timey soups will warm you up and make you feel loved and cherished—especially if you are just making them for yourself. 

Smoked Chicken and Dumplings

Smoked Chicken and Dumplings.
Image Credit: Out Grilling.

Smoked Chicken and Dumplings is a beloved recipe that offers a satisfying and flavorful meal. It features tender smoked chicken, hearty vegetables, and soft, homemade dumplings.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken and Dumplings

Italian Beef Soup (Brodo di Carne)

Italian Beef Soup (Brodo di Carne).
Image Credit: The Heirloom Pantry.

Italian Beef Soup, also known as Brodo di Carne, is a slow-simmered soup bursting with flavor, perfect for warming up on the chilliest evenings. Every spoonful offers a taste of luscious golden broth, succulent beef, delicate orzo, and velvety melted cheese.

Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Soup (Brodo di Carne)

3 Ingredient Tomato Soup

3 Ingredient Tomato Soup.
Image Credit: The Feathered Nester.

Three-ingredient tomato soup is the perfect blend of simplicity and taste! With fewer than five ingredients, ready in under fifteen minutes, and minimal cleanup required. The result? A rich, hearty, and delightful tomato soup that you’ll be eager to dive into with your spoon!

Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Tomato Soup

Vegetarian Ukrainian/Russian Borscht Soup

Vegetarian Ukrainian/Russian Borscht Soup.
Image Credit: Wholemade Living.

This recipe yields a generous pot of vegan red borscht soup, approximately 14 cups. Borscht is excellent for freezing and enjoying later, and it tastes even better the following day. The recipe is vegan by default, provided you don’t add sour cream.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Ukrainian/Russian Borscht Soup

Italian Lentil Soup – Zuppa Di Lenticchie

Italian Lentil Soup – Zuppa Di Lenticchie.
Image Credit: Xoxo Bella.

Italian lentil soup, also known as zuppa di lenticchie, is a deliciously hearty minestrone filled with fresh vegetables in every bite. It’s perfect for any occasion, but particularly inviting during the cooler months. This robust vegetable soup is both nourishing and comforting, ideally accompanied by croutons or a slice of crusty ciabatta to absorb every delicious drop. A traditional New Year’s Eve dish, this satisfying lentil soup is poised to become a treasured recipe in your Italian culinary collection.

Get the Recipe: Italian Lentil Soup – Zuppa Di Lenticchie

Matzo Ball Soup

Matzo Ball Soup.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

Often called “Jewish Penicillin,” Matzo Ball Soup is a beloved Jewish dumpling soup celebrated for its comforting broth and delicate dumplings crafted from matzo meal (crushed matzo).

Get the Recipe: Matzo Ball Soup

Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings

Sourdough Chicken And Dumplings.
Image Credit: Simple and Fraiche.

Sourdough Chicken and Dumplings epitomize comfort food. The broth is hearty and savory, while the sourdough dumplings are tender and fluffy, making them incredibly easy to prepare. Opting for pre-cooked chicken breasts can further save time and effort. With everything prepped ahead, you can relish a scrumptious meal in no time.

Get the Recipe: Sourdough Chicken And Dumplings

Welsh Cawl Simple Lamb Soup

Welsh Cawl Simple Lamb Soup.
Image Credit: Krumpli.

Welsh Cawl is a straightforward lamb and vegetable soup or stew, featuring clean and simple flavors. My rendition of the dish is scaled down to serve four. Swede, carrots, potatoes, and leeks accompany the tenderly simmered lamb shoulder in this delightful broth-based soup that boasts a wonderful taste.

Get the Recipe: Welsh Cawl Simple Lamb Soup

New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder.
Image Credit: Baking Beauty.

Discover how to create a New England chowder with succulent clams and rich, smoky bacon in a luscious creamy broth. This restaurant-style soup can be made at home in less than 25 minutes!

Get the Recipe: New England Clam Chowder

Creamy Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup

Creamy Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup.
Image Credit: Sunglow Kitchen.

This Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup boasts a rich, creamy texture and is bursting with layers of deep flavor. It offers comfort and satiety, while also being naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Cauliflower Potato Leek Soup

Easy Split Pea Soup

Easy Split Pea Soup.
Image Credit: 100 Days of Real Food.

Inspired by Emeril Lagasse, this Easy Split Pea Soup is ideal for the chilly season. Don’t forget to garnish it with your choice of ham, bacon, or sausage for a delicious meal. This recipe ensures a plentiful serving for the family and extra to freeze for future leftovers!

Get the Recipe: Easy Split Pea Soup

Healing Mung Bean Soup (Moong Soup)

Healing Mung Bean Soup (Moong Soup).
Image Credit: Buttered Veg.

A straightforward, restorative mung bean soup seasoned with common Indian spices such as turmeric, cumin, asafoetida, and ginger, all simmered in a bit of ghee.

Get the Recipe: Healing Mung Bean Soup (Moong Soup)

 

Read More:

Woman taking baking dish with tasty rice casserole out of oven.

Image Credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.

Check out these awesome recipes!

Like This: 30 Finger Foods and Appetizers to Make Every Day a Party

And This: 20 One-Bite Appetizers That Will Make You the Host With the Most

And this: 9 Casseroles Every Mom Should Make

 

Filed Under: Great Food

Previous Post: « 21 Easy Pasta Recipes That Will Have You Coming Back for Seconds
Next Post: 15 Best Wildlife Encounters in the World (That Will Make You Feel As If You Are in a Documentary) »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 15 Guilt-Free Zero-Calorie Foods for Every Craving
  • 30 Decadent No-Bake Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!
  • Mindful Eating Made Easy: 6 Tips to Transform Your Relationship With Food
  • 6 Reasons You Should Probably Get an Air Fryer
  • 20 Vintage Side Dishes That Steal the Show

Recent Comments

  • Leszek on 13 Reasons Eating Out Is Unhealthier Than You Ever Imagined
  • Jennifer T Tammy on 21 Cheap, Easy Appetizers That Anyone Can Make (And Are Really Good)
  • Eleanor on 20 Heirloom Recipes Passed Down Through Generations
  • Supriya Kutty on Mango Slushy Recipe
  • anusha sangaraju on 20 Ridiculously Delicious Indian Food Recipes You Must Try at Home

Footer

Categories

  • Food
  • Cooking
  • Great Food

Links

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy

Email

amanda@thepassportkitchen.com

Copyright © 2025 The Passport Kitchen on the Foodie Pro Theme