6 Simple Noodle Soups That Will Make You Toss the Canned Stuff
Feeling cold as the temps drop? Reach for a hearty bowl of noodle soup. Noodle soups are easy and tasty ways to get your “good carb” fix: Simply choose whole-grain or legume-based noodles. You can also adjust the amount of salt added based on your taste and health needs.
Overview
Feeling cold as the temps drop? Reach for a hearty bowl of noodle soup. Noodle soups are easy and tasty ways to get your "good carb" fix: Simply choose whole-grain or legume-based noodles. You can also adjust the amount of salt added based on your taste and health needs. What's more, each of our healthy recipes takes just 20 minutes or less of stovetop cooking! Feel free to make it in advance, and then chill and reheat as desired. (Hint: Separate the noodles from the broth to keep the noodles from absorbing most of the tasty soup).
1. Healthy Asian Veggie and Soba Noodle Soup
This soba noodle soup will win over your taste buds at first slurp. It features naturally brewed tamari soy sauce, rice vinegar and ginger. But there's more: You'll get a colorful array of vegetables -- bok choy, bell pepper and scallions -- and a generous amount of soba noodles. When selecting soba, choose a 100 percent buckwheat variety to pump up the plant-based benefits. Though "wheat" is in the name, buckwheat actually isn't a grain; it's a fruit seed that's gluten-free. Besides tasting deliciously nutty, buckwheat can help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
Related: Healthy Asian Veggie and Soba Noodle Soup Recipe
2. Lemony Greek Turkey Meatball and Macaroni Soup
Juicy meatballs aren't just reserved for spaghetti -- they're also delightful in soup. Our healthy meatballs are made from lean turkey. And we give this soup a Greek twist by tossing in fresh dill, lemon and garlic. Green peas add vitamins B-1, C and K, while whole-wheat elbow macaroni and breadcrumbs provide a whole-grain boost. Enjoying whole-grain wheat is associated with health-promoting anti-inflammatory benefits. Opa!
Related: Lemony Greek Turkey Meatball and Macaroni Soup Recipe
3. Mexican Tomato, Black Bean and Corn Pasta Soup
Craving a hearty Mexican meal? This broth gets loads of flavor -- and heart-friendly lycopene -- from roasted crushed tomatoes. But it's the "heat" from jalapeno and zing from lime that really make the flavors pop. Corn-based pasta and black beans make the soup entree-worthy. Top it all off with chopped Hass avocados, which provide creamy goodness and heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.
Related: Mexican Tomato, Black Bean and Corn Pasta Soup Recipe
4. Healthy Homestyle Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is one of those so-called cure-alls. Research finds that chicken soup contains various health-promoting components, including anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce symptoms of common upper respiratory tract infections. Luckily, it's tasty too! This traditionally inspired chicken noodle soup brims with whole-wheat fusilli, rotisserie chicken breast and a dash of sinus-clearing "heat" from hot pepper sauce. Feeling creative? Prepare this soup Italian-style by adding some garlic powder and sprinkling with Parmesan cheese.
Related: Healthy Homestyle Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
5. Healthy Vegan Butternut Squash Pho With Lime and Basil
Pho is a savory Vietnamese noodle soup that typically includes chicken or beef. But our vegan version boasts all the flavor without any meat. You'll use a generous amount of brown rice udon noodles to make this full-flavored soup hearty. And including butternut squash provides pops of pleasing color and plant-forward nutrition. Butternut squash is notably rich in carotenoids -- namely beta-carotene, lutein and violaxanthin. And don't forget to top it off with zesty lime and fragrant basil.
Related: Healthy Vegan Butternut Squash Pho With Lime and Basil Recipe
6. Garlicky Italian White Bean, Spinach and Pasta Soup
This satisfying soup is basically an Italian pasta entree, a side of greens and a bowl of soup all in one. While our recipe uses whole-grain farfalle, feel free to use any whole-grain noodle you want. This soup bursts with white beans and spinach, which contain heart-healthy folates. And if you're trying to manage your weight, perhaps the best part of this scrumptious soup is that it's satiating, thanks to the fiber and protein from the beans.
Related: Garlicky Italian White Bean, Spinach and Pasta Soup Recipe
What Do YOU Think?
Do you regularly include soup in your eating plan? Why or why not? Do you enjoy low-sodium soup? Do you have a personal culinary trick to make low-sodium soup tasty? What's your favorite type of soup to order or prepare? Please leave a comment below and let us know.
Related: 10 Must-Try Noodle Alternatives for Pasta Fanatics