12 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

These healthy pumpkin recipes are total crowd pleasers: from dessert recipes like oatmeal cookies to main dishes like pumpkin gnocchi and stuffed shells!

Are you a pumpkin fan? Even if your answer is no, you might enjoy some of these healthy pumpkin recipes! Because pumpkin puree is doesn’t have a distinct flavor, it can be used in many different ways without tasting overly pumpkin-y. It makes a fantastic substitute for egg in our vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookies, and a creamy, cheesy pasta sauce in our pumpkin penne. Of course, we’ve also got pumpkin dessert recipes: but not the traditional pumpkin pie! Try our healthy pumpkin parfaits with pecan granola or pumpkin mousse shooters. In all cases, healthy means made with real, whole food ingredients that are full of nutrients.

Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Let’s start with these chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies,  one of our most popular pumpkin dessert recipes! The flavor is reminiscent of oatmeal cream pies, but a healthier spin. Though they might not qualify as a health food, they can fit into the healthy definition since they’re made with nutrient dense rolled oats and are plant based. Made with coconut oil instead of butter, they’re topped with a powdered sugar icing. Omit the icing if you’d prefer less sugar, and they’re just as good!

Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake with Goat Cheese

Here’s our personal favorite of these pumpkin recipes: our pumpkin gnocchi bake! It’s got a savory pumpkin sauce made creamy with a little Greek yogurt. Doughy gnocchi pillows are baked in the sauce along with gooey goat cheese. It’s probably one of the coziest comfort foods we’ve baked up, and it consistently gets rave reviews! Last year we served this as a vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe and it very quickly disappeared.

Pumpkin Yogurt Fruit Dip

This one’s the simplest of the pumpkin recipes in this list: in just 5 minutes, you can make a killer fruit dip that’s pumpkin spiced! Just stir together Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and some pumpkin spices, and you’re in business! Served with sliced green apples, it’s a tangy and delicious snack. We’ve served it at fall parties and book clubs and it’s the perfect fall treat.

Penne with Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

So remember that pumpkin gnocchi bake? This pasta uses the same pumpkin sauce, but this time pairs it with penne pasta and Parmesan cheese. It cooks up in just 30 minutes and tastes like a sophisticated take on mac and cheese. Said one reader: “You NAILED IT! The whole family loved this pasta dish. So creamy and flavorful!” That’s what we like to hear.

Pumpkin Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal

This one is our most popular of these healthy pumpkin recipes: pumpkin baked steel cut oatmeal! It tastes like pumpkin pie—really!—but is made of steel cut oats. Who doesn’t want to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast? It’s also fairly healthy, with a minimal amount of maple syrup as a natural sweetener, it’s a nice gluten-free whole grain option for mornings.

Pumpkin Vegetarian Stuffed Shells

Vegetarian stuffed shells are always a crowd pleaser: especially when they’ve got pumpkin inside! This pumpkin recipe has pumpkin puree mixed with ricotta and fresh sage as the filling for these jumbo shells. Bake them, topped with gooey cheese, in a quick marinara sauce and you’re in business.

Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze

These vibrant pumpkin scones are made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices, making them the perfect flaky, cozy biscuit for cool mornings or tea times! The topping is a maple cream, maple that’s heated until it becomes creamy and concentrated. You can make them without the glaze for a healthier treat, or use the glaze from the pumpkin cookies above.

Healthy Pumpkin Mousse Shooters

Instead of pumpkin pie, why not…a pumpkin shot glass dessert? This unique take on pumpkin pie makes the filling into vegan pumpkin mousse made by whipping coconut milk. And let’s just forget the crust: serving the pumpkin mousse in shot glasses topped with pumpkin seeds is cuter and easier!

Pumpkin Parfaits with Pecan Granola

In our list of pumpkin dessert recipes, this one’s a keeper! Greek yogurt that’s lightly sweetened with maple syrup is layered with a pumpkin filling made of pumpkin puree, pumpkin spices and mascarpone cheese. Add a bit of pecan skillet granola, whipped up in just 10 minutes in a skillet, and you’re in business. This one also works as a healthy breakfast or fall brunch recipe.

Easy Pumpkin Hummus

Have you tried pumpkin hummus? If you’re a pumpkin fan, this one’s worth a try. It takes just a few minutes to whip up, and adding pumpkin puree makes it extraordinarily creamy. Don’t worry, in contrast to some of the other pumpkin recipes this one’s got no pumpkin spices! It’s strictly savory: serve with pita chips for a tasty fall snack.

Pumpkin Spice Fruit and Nut Bars

Speaking of snacks, these pumpkin spice fruit and nut bars are a healthy snack fit for fall. Made of Medjool dates, cashews, and pumpkin spices, they’re full of protein and flavor. Make up a batch and keep them handy for when a craving hits.

Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Mascarpone

To round out our healthy pumpkin recipes are these pumpkin pancakes! When Alex and I breakfast, we like oat pancakes: they’re made almost fully of oat flour, they’re heartier and more filling than the typical pancake. These oat pancakes are made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices, and for a little flair: a dollop of mascarpone cheese mixed with maple syrup. You can omit the topping for a healthier take and go with just a drizzle of real maple syrup: these pumpkin pancakes can hold their own.

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Triple Chocolate Espresso Brownies

Looking for an ultra chocolatey, ridiculously fudgy brownie? Look no further: these brownies are packed with three kinds of chocolate and a dose of espresso that only deepens the chocolate flavor.

I think we can all agree that a silky chocolate ganache topping transforms a good brownie into a great one. And this brownie recipe is no exception; sure it’d be great without the chocolate espresso glaze, but with it? Well, it’s simply transcendent.

This recipe was created in partnership with Delallo®, our go-to brand for authentic Italian flavor, including pastas, sauces, and specialty imports.

Brownies might just be my favorite dessert. More than cookies; more than cakes and even more than cupcakes. Their sheer density is just so dang satisfying.

I don’t have one single go-to brownie recipe: a best ever, all-time-favorite brownie that I reach for whenever the craving hits. Instead, I am constantly tweaking and adapting and experimenting, changing the ingredients and proportions depending on the precise circumstances, flavor combinations and toppings being used, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. This recipe, for example, is very different from my copycat cosmic brownies which in turn are very different from my previous favorite bourbon pecan brownies, and so forth.

Dark vs unsweetened chocolate, chocolate vs cocoa (or both), baking powder or none… all variations that change the outcome of the brownie, subtle differences that I take advantage of to make the perfect brownie for each unique situation.

Simply put, I just can’t settle on a single favorite method, because there are many ways to make a fantastic homemade brownie. I’m determined to try them all.

So, yes, these might be my current favorite brownie, the best brownie of the moment if you will.

(And my fellow ceramic classmates would agree – they devoured the lot of them and then pleaded for my secret recipe, to which I responded that I don’t believe in secret recipes and I’d happily share).

BUT, that said, all the other brownie recipes I’ve made over the past years are still winners too, and certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

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13 Delicious & Healthy Tahini Recipes

These 13 tahini recipes are healthy and delicious ways to enjoy the popular sesame paste, from Buddha bowls to sweet potato fries to cookies!

Do you use tahini? You might have bought a jar of tahini if you’ve ever made homemade hummus. But tahini is not just for hummus! Common in Middle Easter or Mediterranean dishes, this sesame paste is becoming very popular: it’s used for dressings, dipping sauces, and even desserts! Tahini is one of Alex and my favorite ingredients to use in recipes, and we realized we have a long list of tahini recipes. Keep reading for 13 tahini recipes that make healthy eating undeniably delicious.

First, what is tahini sauce?

What is tahini sauce (tahini)? Tahini is a paste made of sesame seeds, typically used in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes. Tahini is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, Paleo, keto, and Whole 30 friendly, so it works for many diets. It’s purely sesame seeds and salt! Tahini is perfect for making creamy sauces for salads and Buddha bowls, and it’s also fantastic for desserts like cookies or as a replacement for peanut butter for peanut allergies. It’s perfect for use in vegan dishes as a creamy alternative to dairy.

What does tahini taste like?

On its own, tahini has a bitter flavor. It’s not sweet like most nut butters or seed butters! So, tahini is best when mixed with other flavors, especially an acid like lemon juice which brightens it. If using tahini in a dessert, it works well mixed with a sweetener like maple syrup. Ready for our tahini recipes?

Best Lemon Tahini Sauce

Our top tahini recipe is easily this Best Lemon Tahini Sauce! It’s a creamy, savory sauce that’s totally versatile: use it on salads, nourish bowls, tacos, fries, veggie burgers, and sandwiches. Since it’s vegan, it adds a creamy savoriness without the use of dairy. This one is so good we’ve used it on several different recipes: our Chickpea Couscous Bowls, Raw Falafel Buddha Bowls, and Roasted Nourish Bowls (not pictured).

Dark Chocolate Tahini No Bake Cookies

These vegan no bake cookies use tahini instead of the typical peanut butter, and they’re over the top delicious. Created for our friend with a peanut allergy, we made these no bake cookies with tahini instead of peanut butter, coconut oil instead of butter, and maple syrup instead of sugar. Using dark cocoa powder brings in a dark chocolate flavor, and a sprinkle of sea salt on top makes them salty sweet. These no bakes are a must make!

Moroccan Sweet Potatoes with Lemon Tahini Dressing

This tahini recipe is from a vegan cookbook, Power Plates by our friend Gena Hamshaw. It’s a hearty vegan main dish: roasted sweet potatoes are topped with Moroccan-spiced lentils and nourishing veggies. To take it over the top, a lemon tahini drizzle that’s similar to our Best Lemon Tahini Sauce above. It’s so flavorful, you won’t miss the meat or dairy in the slightest.

Cauliflower Shawarma Pita

This simple pita sandwich features one of our favorite veggies: roasted cauliflower! It’s nestled in a pita with crunchy romaine and drizzled with a yogurt tahini sauce that brings the entire sandwich together. This one’s from Kristin Donnelly’s book, Cauliflower.

Chickpea Couscous Bowls with Tahini Sauce

Want our favorite way to use that Best Lemon Tahini Sauce? It’s these couscous bowls! Couscous cooks up in just 5 minutes, so it’s a quick base for this bowl meal. To accessorize, cumin scented chickpeas, tomato and cucumber, and a bed of greens. Slather on that tangy, creamy tahini sauce, and it’s a heavenly vegan main dish in just 30 minutes. It’s one of our top recipe picks!

Five Ingredient Classic Homemade Hummus

A list of tahini recipes wouldn’t be complete without hummus! The most well-known way to use tahini is for making hummus; the sesame paste adds a creaminess and body that’s essential to homemade hummus. While we have many variations on hummus flavors, our best hummus recipe is this one: 5 ingredients make that classic, creamy hummus that’s endlessly versatile.

Fudgy Flourless Brownie Pie

This brownie pie isn’t technically a tahini recipe, until you consider the drizzle. Yes, that’s a salted tahini maple sauce, and it’s insanely good. From Jerrelle Guy’s cookbook Black Girl Baking, the sauce becomes almost caramely after mixing tahini, maple syrup, espresso powder, and salt. Here it’s drizzled over brownie pie, but it would be great on just about anything: vanilla ice cream, a skillet cookie, or vegan brownies. Healthy might be a stretch here on this pie recipe, so let’s just consider the tahini drizzle!

Raw Falafel Buddha Bowls

Here’s another tahini recipe that uses our Best Lemon Tahini Sauce, and this one is a tried and true favorite. Based on a dish from a fantastic vegan restaurant here in Indianapolis, Ezra’s Enlightened Cafe, this Buddha bowl features a raw version of falafel. Falafel are a popular Mediterranean chickpea fritter that are typically served in a pita: here, the falafel is deconstructed into raw vegan energy balls full of Mediterranean spices. It might sound strange, but the concept is seriously satisfying. Garnish with that Lemon Tahini Sauce and you have a bowl bursting with nutrients and flavor.  

Mexican Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

Tahini recipes aren’t just salad bowls: in this recipe we’ve used tahini to make a Cumin Lime Crema sauce without the dairy! This vegan crema sauce relies on tahini, lime juice, Mexican hot sauce, and cumin to bring big flavor. The sauce brings together our crispy sweet potato fries and Mexican style toppings (black beans, salsa, corn). You could serve it as an appetizer, but we prefer this as a vegan dinner recipe: so we can have it all to ourselves!

Baked Falafel Salad Bowl

Falafel, those fried Mediterranean chickpea fritters, are in our hall of fame of favorite food. And they’re traditionally served with a tahini sauce, which makes them a natural fit for this list of tahini recipes. Instead of deconstructed like in the Raw Falafel recipe above, here the falafel are baked in a patty shaped and nestled into a bowl of fresh veggies. It’s served with a Creamy Cilantro Dressing made with yogurt and tahini (for vegan, use that Best Lemon Tahini Sauce instead).

“Get Your Greens” Naan Pizzas

This tahini recipe is a vegan version of pizza so flavorful you don’t miss the cheese! Naan pizzas are fitting for weeknights, so you don’t have to bother with making and shaping pizza dough. Instead, simply spread toppings onto purchased naan bread or pitas and bake. These naan pizzas are spread with hummus and topped with broccoli, chard and artichokes. And the best part: a flavor-popping drizzle made of tahini, miso, and orange juice.

Baked Tofu Tacos with Chipotle Tahini Sauce

Back to Mexican-style flavors with this tahini recipe: tacos! Here we’ve baked tofu with a zesty marinade, then topped them with crunchy fresh veggies. What brings it all together is a chipotle tahini sauce that’s perfect for tacos of any kind. The magic ingredient is adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers; it’s readily available in most groceries and adds a smoky flavor and bright orange color.

Go Green Bowls with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

For our last tahini recipe, tahini teams up with yogurt to make an ultra savory creamy sauce! To up the savory saltiness, we’ve used capers to blend into the dressing to balance the tangy lemon. The tahini yogurt sauce is perfect for salads and Buddha bowls, or as a dip for roasted veggies (like those sweet potato fries above). Here, we’ve created a custom “Go Green” bowl with quinoa, broccoli and greens to make eating your greens intensely satisfying and delicious.

More tahini recipes

For more tahini recipes, here are a few from around the web:

• 36 Tahini Recipes | Bon Appetit
• Tahini Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting | Molly Yeh
• Hasselback Potatoes with Tahini Sauce | The Lemon Bowl

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Parmesan & Brussels Sprout Tortelloni

Brussels sprouts, pancetta and Parmesan are the ultimate flavor trifecta, the perfect combination of tastes and textures together in this easy weeknight pasta dish.

Dinner is solved, at least for tonight! This flavorful fall pasta features savory prosciutto and cheese tortelloni with crispy pancetta, tender Brussels sprouts and a light Parmesan cream sauce.

This post was created in partnership with Giovanni Rana®, our favorite brand of refrigerated pastas and sauces for quick weeknight dinners. Thanks for supporting us and the brands we love!

The weeknight dinner dilemma is an issue that faces us all, a neverending search for satisfying meals that don’t take hours to prepare.

While I love making homemade pasta whenever I have the extra time, the truth of the matter is that most days that is simply not the case. But while time might be limited, flavor certainly doesn’t have to be.

This recipe is proof.

This recipe has it all: golden brown Brussels sprouts, crisp pancetta cubes, and tender prosciutto and cheese tortelloni, enrobed in a thin layer of Parmesan cream sauce (I say cream sauce because it’s creamy, although there isn’t actually any cream involved). Top it with a bit of shaved Parmesan and you have yourself a feast.

It’s quick and easy to prepare with minimal dishes, and it’s got all the major food groups accounted for (cured meat, Parmesan, pasta and Brussels sprouts… what more do you need?) And did I mention it’s darn delicious?

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Small Batch Stovetop Apple Butter

Crisp fall apples cooked down with sugar and spices until lusciously smooth and intensely flavored. This small batch apple butter recipe is perfect when you just have a few apples on hand.

Most apple butter recipes require 3-4 pounds of apples and hours of time. But sometimes you just want a little apple butter, a jar’s worth or so, that can easily be consumed in a week or two. For that, this small-batch recipe is perfect (not to mention it is much quicker and easier to prepare than a larger batch, no canning required!)

Apple butter is one of those magical condiments that crosses the line between sweet and savory, and I can think of a million different ways to use it.

This particular batch of apple butter was made as to accompany a batch of sharp cheddar gougères (cheese puffs), apples and cheese being an entirely under-appreciated combination. In that same respect it also makes a great addition to your holiday cheese board, and would be astounding paired with melty white cheddar and brie inside a grilled cheese sandwich.

On the sweeter side, it’d be perfect dolloped on biscuits, spread onto toast, warmed and drizzled on fall spiced pancakes or waffles, stirred into yogurt or even swirled into homemade frozen yogurt.

I mean, it’s undoubtedly more versatile than any other condiment, ketchup included.

What is the difference between applesauce and apple butter, anyway?

Time.

But it makes all the difference.

Applesauce is a fairly quick process, cooked apples run through a food mill. Apple butter is basically concentrated apple sauce, cooked down even more until it’s thicker, silkier, and more intensely apple flavored. Like the difference between tomato sauce and tomato paste, essentially.

Since this is a small batch preparation method, it takes significantly less time than a larger batch (more surface area = quicker evaporation; yay maths!) Needless to say, this apple butter only needs about an hour to cook, whereas a bigger batch would easily take twice that.

You’ll know it’s done when the apple butter is caramel colored and thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon (it won’t immediately drip off when inverted). For me it took about an hour to reduce from 2 cups down to about 1 1/2. There’s no magical “moment” when it’s done, so just test and taste as you go and call it done whenever it’s to your liking.

It’s not rocket science, after all.

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Small Bites: A Couple Cooks Podcast Is Back!

Looking for a cooking podcast or food podcast? Our Small Bites podcast gives you bite sized food for thought in just 15 minutes! 

After a brief hiatus while we launched our cookbook Pretty Simple Cooking, the A Couple Cooks Podcast is back! And this time, it’s reformulated to fit into your busy lifestyle. All our episodes in Season 2 are just 15 minutes, featuring short form interviews and small bites of real food. We know you’re busy, so we cut out the small talk and get right to our bite sized food for thought!

Who do we feature on the podcast? Authors, entrepreneurs, personalities, and leaders in the wide world of food. We want to inspire you with the big ideas, stories, and people behind what we eat: as well provide ideas for everyday recipes! Our first episode of Season 2 is called Team Leftovers: it features cookbook author Julia Turshen, who shares with us how to reinvent leftovers and how to cultivate community through food.

Want to join us? Here’s how to listen: 

• Best way: Open the podcast app on your phone, search “A Couple Cooks”, then Subscribe!
• Listen online here.
• Listen on Spotify here.

Giveaway: Also, we have a small bites themed giveaway to celebrate our launch! Head over to our Instagram post about the giveaway.

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13 Best Healthy & Easy Soup Recipes

Soups are one of the best ways to eat healthy and delicious! Here are our best easy soup recipes that the whole family will love.

 

When people ask Alex and me where to start for eating healthy, we typically reply, “soup!” Why? There are multiple benefits to cooking up a big pot of soup. Here’s a collection of our best soup recipes, but first: what’s so great about soups?

1. Soups make it easy to eat lots of vegetables at once. You can eat a vegetarian meal without eating any real nutritious vegetables: for example: grilled cheese! And we admit, sometimes when we look at a refrigerator of raw veggies, we feel uninspired. Soups make eating a variety of vegetables at once easy and delicious.
2. Soup recipes make meal planning a breeze. In the winter months, our meal plans start to look something like this: Soup and bread. Soup and salad. Soup and corn muffins. Soups work for a weeknight, a special dinner with company, or made ahead for lunches.
3. Soups are cozy and comforting. No explanation needed here: there’s nothing more hygge (read: extremely cozy) than a steaming bowl of soup. Just add a fuzzy blanket and a candle.

Over the years we’ve made hundreds of soup recipes, but here are a few of the best soup recipes that stand out here on A Couple Cooks. And, they’re healthy and easy soup recipes too!

Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Soup

This Moroccan spiced cauliflower soup is show stopping and vibrant, full of delicious vegetables and cozy spices! Think cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon: a big bowl is positively restorative! Here the cauliflower is roasted until lightly charred, then pureed with those Moroccan spices into a silky puree. For the garnish: a bit of the roasted cauliflower, green onion and a drizzle of olive oil. This vegan soup is pretty simple to put together, full of nutrients, and gluten-free.

Tip: For this cauliflower soup recipe, it’s helpful to have an immersion blender because it lets you puree the soup right in the pot where the soup was cooked! (If you don’t have one, you can pour the hot soup into a standard blender.)

Chipotle Black Bean Tortilla Soup

This soup recipe is a popular one from our cookbook, Pretty Simple Cooking! And you’ll be amazed by how much flavor is achieved in just over 30 minutes. The secret here is adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chilis: it brings in a smoky flavor without adding too much heat! Adobo is sauce one of our tips for adding big flavor to vegetarian dishes. Topped with homemade crunchy tortilla strips, you won’t be able to stop eating it. It’s such a crowd pleaser that we’ve reprinted the book recipe right here on our blog! And, you can watch this video of us making it.

Creamy Red Lentil Soup

This dreamy, creamy red lentil soup is an easy vegetarian dinner recipe that’s ready in under an hour. Red lentils are packed with nutrients and can cure any case of the fall or winter blues! While cooking red lentils takes away their beautiful bright pink color, this red lentil soup results in a complex and delicious flavor. And what really amps it up is the garnish – don’t skimp on this one! The combination of crunchy toasted almonds, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of tangy lemon makes this soup next level.

Tip: If you have time, soak the lentils in a bowl of water overnight before you make this recipe. Soaking the lentils cuts down the cooking time and means you have less hands-on time to worry about when making this soup!

Classic Vegetarian Chili

Chili is an age old soup recipe that’s super (soup-er?) satisfying. This classic vegetarian chili recipe is one of our fan favorites. Think you can’t eat chili without meat? This chili recipe will convince you otherwise. A few of our secrets: we’ve added bulgur wheat to mimic the texture of meat, and added canned green chilis and a whole ton of chili powder. Topped with cheese and sour cream, this one is over the top delicious and a total crowd pleaser.

 

Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup with Stars

This soup recipe was originally created for kids: until adults started to tell us they’re huge fans too! When our nieces and nephews are visiting, Alex and I like to whip up a batch of this tangy, creamy vegan tomato soup that’s always a hit with the kids. To put it over the top: make star toasts (so cute!), or just go with grilled cheese! This soup has the most comforting vibe, and it’s made creamy with cashews instead of cream so it works for many diets.

Vegan Sweet Potato Soup with Harissa

Sweet potato soup? The soup recipe is full of unexpected flavor! The magic ingredient is peanut butter, which makes for a rich creamy base along with spices like cumin and turmeric. Handfuls of spinach bring in a nutritional punch, and it’s garnished with harissa: a North African chili paste! You can find mild harissa in most grocery stores: mild harissa adds a lot of flavor without any heat. Add a handful of crushed peanuts for a garnish and you’re in business.

Italian Vegetable and Gnocchi Soup

In just over 30 minutes, you can make this colorful Italian soup recipe that’s bursting with flavor and nutrients. Imagine onion, garlic, tomatoes, green beans, chickpeas, and spinach, all in a super flavorful broth surrounded by pillows of potato gnocchi! This soup is ultra flavorful and doesn’t need much simmering time. And adding tender gnocchi into a soup recipe instead of noodles brings a unique flair.

Tomato Artichoke Lentil Stew

This tomato artichoke lentil stew recipe is one of our old favorites that Alex created on a whim. When he explained the recipe concept I wasn’t on board: until I tasted the tangy, delicious and hearty flavors he served up in the bowl! This soup recipe has gone on to become my family’s traditional Christmas Eve soup. If that doesn’t speak for this soup, I don’t know what will!

Vegetarian Kale Soup with Mushrooms and Garlic

Twenty cloves of garlic in a soup? Yes, the hearty dose garlic in this soup recipe is what makes the broth incredibly restorative and tasty. And don’t worry, the garlic is cooked down so you won’t have garlic breath: we promise! This vegetarian soup recipe also features kale and mushrooms, making it ultra nutritious with the nutrient-dense dark leafy greens. When Alex first tasted this one, he said “Best soup ever.” Let’s see if you agree!

Cozy Farro & Brussels Sprouts Soup

This soup recipe is one we created intentionally to embrace the cozy-ness of the colder months. Brussels sprouts are one of our favorite vegetables, but we’d never tried a Brussels sprouts soup. Here, we’ve shredded them and added them to a soup recipe with lots of veggies and farro, a whole grain that’s a bit like barley but cooks faster. The soup is flavored with shallot, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, and a few handfuls of greens are thrown in at the end. Brussels sprouts soup might sound unexpected, but it’s perfect for boosting immunity and getting your cozy on.

Tomato Artichoke Soup

Instead of a chunky tomato artichoke lentil stew like above, this one is pureed into a bright red smooth sauce that essentially tastes like pizza. It’s based on a recipe from one of our favorite local restaurants here in Indianapolis (Patachou), and is a favorite every time we make it. Homemade croutons and Parmesan cheese are a must for the garnish.

Hearty Sprouted Lentil Stew with Kale

Have you ever cooked with sprouted lentils? Sprouting lentils makes them easier for your body to digest the nutrients. Sprouted lentils are sold dried in stores (we found ours for this one at Whole Foods), or you can also sprout lentils at home. This soup recipe uses sprouted lentils along with kale, tomato, onion and carrot to make an unexpectedly delicious, totally nutritious and super hearty stew. It’s lovely for dinner with crusty bread and leftovers are perfect for lunch.

All Star Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili

How about one more chili recipe? This vegetarian sweet potato chili is super savory and you absolutely won’t miss the meat! Chunks of sweet potatoes add nutrients, and you can use any types of beans you’d like: black beans, pinto beans, or chili beans. A few secret ingredients here: cocoa powder and balsamic vinegar. It makes for a filling and satisfying chili that rounds out our list of soup recipes. Bon appetit!

Looking for other vegetarian soups?

This website is full of vegetarian soups and vegan soups! Here are a few other vegetarian soups we’d recommend:

• Moroccan Chickpea & Sweet Potato Stew
• Creamy Coconut Curry Pantry Soup
• Simple Indian Spiced Soup with Tomato & Lime

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