MyPlate-Inspired Soups and Stews

Photo: Johnny Autry

Nutrititous Soups and Stews

Cooking Light is working with the Partnership for a Healthier America and USDA’s MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to thousands of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Find recipes at http://pinterest.com/MyPlateRecipes/.

Stews and soups serve as comforting dishes that incorporate protein, veggies, and grains for hearty and healthy dishes.

First up: Cannellini beans, native to Tuscany, work beautifully in this rustic soup because they hold their shape after simmering in the flavorful broth. In addition, the orzo pasta absorbs all of the right flavors of this warming dish.

View Recipe: Chicken and White Bean Soup

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Our rendition of Classic Chicken Noodle Soup is just what the doctor ordered. Bone-in chicken fortifies commercial unsalted stock and adds meaty depth to the soup.

View Recipe: Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Photo: John Autry

Black Bean, Hominy, and Kale Stew

Roasting the poblano chiles offers a fast route to deep flavor in this hearty bowl of vegetable stew.

View Recipe: Black Bean, Hominy, and Kale Stew

Photo: Oxmoor House

Fresh Tomato Soup

Homemade tomato stock provides the base for this fresh soup. Prepare the soup through step 2 up to a day ahead. Reheat over medium-low heat, and stir in the basil, lemon rind, and butter just before serving.

View Recipe: Fresh Tomato Soup

Basic Beef Stew with Carrots and Mushrooms

This classic beef stew recipe has all you expect in beef stew: tender chunks of beef, carrot, and potato. Yet the cremini mushrooms are a wonderful and welcome surprise.

View Recipe: Basic Beef Stew with Carrots and Mushrooms

Photo: Kwaku Alston

Chicken and Okra Stew

Our hearty chicken stew is similar to Brunswick stew–only the Haitian version is certainly fierier, thanks to the habanero. If you don’t like it quite so spicy, use a seeded, minced jalapeño, which is somewhat fruitier and not as powerful.

View Recipe: Chicken and Okra Stew

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Known for heightened flavor over time, we recommended making this delightful, creamy soup several days in advance and reheating over medium-low heat when ready to eat.

View Recipe: Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Lentil-Edamame Stew

Fava beans are traditional in this stew, which we updated with edamame. Green peas can be substituted for the edamame, if you like.

View Recipe: Lentil-Edamame Stew

Southwestern Chicken Soup

This top-rated Southwestern soup is a great way to use up leftover chicken. The creamy chunks of avocado add a richness that’s unusual to find in most chicken soups.

View Recipe: Southwestern Chicken Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor

Brunswick Stew

A Southern classic dish, our version features chicken, chopped bell pepper, lima beans, and corn in a tomato base. Serve with garlic bread and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.

View Recipe: Brunswick Stew

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Chilled Corn Soup

This recipe for chilled corn soup yields an incredibly sumptuous, velvety concoction that’s vegan and nearly fat-free. Use corn at the peak of freshness as this simple preparation will highlight corn’s natural sweetness.

View Recipe: Chilled Corn Soup

Photo: Sang An

Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup

Sugary butternut squash and meaty chicken thighs remind us how well sweet and savory flavors play together in Moroccan cuisine.

View Recipe: Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup

Baked Potato Soup

A creamy classic, our version of baked potato soup is rich, warming, filling, and only around 330 calories per serving. Garnish with cheese, onions, bacon, and cracked pepper when ready to eat.

View Recipe: Baked Potato Soup

Photo: Anna Williams

Chilled Avocado Soup with Seared Chipotle Shrimp

A delicious combination of tastes and textures, this first course soup combines smoky chile heat, crisp sweet corn, and silky-rich avocado.

View Recipe: Chilled Avocado Soup with Seared Chipotle Shrimp

Photo: Randy Mayor

Ancho Pork and Hominy Stew

This pork stew recipe is an easy way to feed your family meat and veggies in just one dish. It’s easy to make, ready in just 45 minutes, and consistently delicious.

View Recipe: Ancho Pork and Hominy Stew

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Serve this simple roasted red pepper soup recipe with crusty bread and a simple green salad for a quick lunch or lighter dinner option.

View Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pumpkin and Yellow Pepper Soup with Smoked Paprika

Our luscious pumpkin soup is made with pumpkin puree, yellow bell peppers, carrot, and onion and is topped with toasted pumpkin seed kernels for added crunch.

View Recipe: Pumpkin and Yellow Pepper Soup with Smoked Paprika

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Ham and Bean Soup

This ham and bean soup recipe gets great flavor from a smoked ham hock, fresh vegetables, and fresh herbs. Starting with a package of dried bean soup mix instead of using canned beans helps keep the sodium in check.

View Recipe: Ham and Bean Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor

D’uk Gook (Rice Cake Soup)

Beaten egg thickens this Asian-inspired soup, reminiscent of an egg drop soup. You can make the seasoned, toasted nori garnish to eat with the rice.

View Recipe: D’uk Gook (Rice Cake Soup)

Photo: José Picayo

Fennel and Spinach Soup with Roasted Pepper Yogurt

You can serve this light, bright-tasting soup hot or at room temperature–or if you want to get a head start, make it ahead and serve chilled.

View Recipe: Fennel and Spinach Soup with Roasted Pepper Yogurt