This leek and butter bean soup recipe will make lunchtime the highlight of your day

With a crisp chill entering the air, there’s only one thing that can mean – soup season has arrived. Salads and light lunches make way for steaming bowls of something hearty, as we wrap our hands around bowls of comfort and settle into autumn.

At Good Food, we notice two key moments when soup really takes centre stage: October, when we’re all seeking warmth and comfort, and January, when we’re looking for lighter, nourishing meals to kick-start the year.

This leek, butter bean & bacon soup is the perfect all-rounder – creamy yet wholesome, dairy- and gluten-free and packed with flavour. It’s also bang on trend, with beans continuing to have their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Affordable, versatile and full of plant-based protein, they’re a brilliant store-cupboard staple.

Still need persuading? Take a look at our guide on reasons to eat more beans and pulses for plenty of reasons to embrace this humble ingredient.

Discover more healthy soup recipes to get ahead of your health goals before the New Year.

1. Leek & butter bean soup with crispy kale & bacon

With just 10 ingredients, this leek & butter bean soup comes together in under an hour for a comforting bowl that serves up to four. Finish with a garnish of crispy kale, smoky bacon and toasted hazelnuts for a salty, crunchy contrast. Keeping it vegan? Simply exclude the bacon.

2. Spicy pumpkin soup

With Halloween just around the corner, give your jack-o’-lantern leftovers a second life in this spicy pumpkin soup. Don’t toss the seeds, roast them for a high-fibre, crunchy topping that adds extra texture. This recipe serves four and freezes beautifully, making it ideal for an easy lunch or a quick dinner on nights when you don’t feel like cooking from scratch.

Check out more pumpkin recipes for sweet and savoury recipe inspiration.

3. Parsnip & miso soup with sesame croutons

Sweet parsnips, thought to help boost serotonin levels, pair beautifully with savoury miso in this feel-good winter soup. Finish with crispy sourdough croutons, sesame seeds and a dollop of natural yogurt, then garnish with fresh coriander and serve alongside your favourite warm bread.

Want to know more? Read our guide to the health benefits of parsnips and make the most of this seasonal veg with our parsnip recipes.

4. Butternut squash soup

Having a tough day? We’re confident this butternut squash soup will lift your spirits. With more than 750 five-star reviews, it’s a tried-and-tested favourite among the Good Food community. A hint of chilli adds gentle warmth, while a swirl of crème fraîche brings a lovely creaminess. Give it a try and see why so many of our readers keep coming back to it.

Looking for more comforting bowls on a budget? Take a look at our best budget-friendly soups to nourish the soul for recipes sure to give you a much-needed pick-me-up.

5. Cauliflower soup

Make this creamy cauliflower soup for a comforting lunch or light supper. It’s delicious topped with fresh parsley and served with crusty bread. Follow our step-by-step images and helpful video tutorial to get it just right every time.

For more ways to make the most of this versatile veg, take a look at our best ways with cauliflower guide. Then cut down on waste with our tips for using up cauliflower leaves, which are often discarded but are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

6. Spiced lentil & butternut squash soup

This spiced lentil & butternut squash soup is perfect for a Sunday batch cook to set you up for the week ahead. Made with just 10 ingredients, it serves 4-6 and freezes well, so you can portion it out for easy lunches or quick dinners when you’re short on energy. A wholesome, healthy and vegetarian option that’s full of flavour.

For more ideas to help you get ahead on meal prep, take a look at our batch cooking recipes.

7. Ratatouille lasagne soup

Combine two Italian favourites in this hearty vegetarian soup – lasagne and ratatouille. Serving four, it’s packed with vegetables and fibre, delivering four of your five-a-day. Pair it with our homemade crusty garlic bread for the ultimate Italian-inspired meal.

8. Celery soup

Looking for a low-calorie lunch that keeps you full until dinner? Our simple two-step celery soup makes up to four servings, so you can prep lunches for the week ahead. It’s an easy way to stay on track with your healthy eating goals.

Check out more of our low-calorie lunch recipes because hitting your health goals doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavour.

9. Celeriac, pancetta & thyme soup

It might not be the prettiest veg in the patch, but don’t overlook celeriac. Once blitzed with vegetable stock and double cream, its soft white flesh transforms into a beautifully smooth, velvety soup infused with bay and thyme. Finish with crispy pancetta for a salty crunch, then drizzle with olive oil to serve.

10. Tomato & pasta soup

Looking for a budget-friendly soup to see you through to payday? This tomato & pasta soup makes the most of storecupboard staples like pasta, chopped tomatoes and chickpeas. Shop-bought pesto adds instant flavour, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Simple, healthy and perfect for those end-of-month meals.

Check out more budget recipes to keep your spending on track.

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