Finding new ways to use extra bits from meals can be a challenge, but with this collection of 35 soups and stews on hand, the fridge clean-out just became a lot more interesting. These recipes turn last night’s roasted squash or that half-empty container of rice into soups and stews no one would ever guess started out as leftovers. It’s almost like having a magic trick for weeknight dinners.

Cream of Jalapeno Soup in a white bowl. — Cream of Jalapeno Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

When looking for a way to utilize leftover tomatoes, Oven Roasted Tomato Soup is an excellent choice that blends roasted flavors with a practical approach to reducing waste. Making use of simple ingredients, it brings together tomatoes and pantry staples for a smooth and warming meal. This method captures the essence of home-cooked comfort and easily enhances a dining routine.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

If canned pumpkin is sitting in your pantry, Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin offers a smart way to create a quick and smooth soup that welcomes various leftover add-ins. This recipe combines pantry ingredients with a velvety base for a filling meal perfect for sharing. Gathering bits of vegetables or cooked grains can help personalize each bowl.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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Lobster Chowder

Seafood leftovers such as lobster can be transformed into an inviting meal with Lobster Chowder, which features a hearty combination of shellfish, potatoes, and aromatic vegetables. Making use of rich broth and simple seasonings, this soup makes lobster accessible in an everyday setting. Cooking this dish is a practical way to prevent seafood from going to waste.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Chowder

Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup

Anyone with extra produce on hand can turn it into Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup, which thoughtfully unites cauliflower and sweet potatoes for a balanced and comforting bowl. This recipe effortlessly blends both vegetables, allowing their textures to complement one another. Bringing together a few pantry items, this soup delivers a result that feels both fresh and practical.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup

Beef Stroganoff Soup

Repurposing cooked beef into Beef Stroganoff Soup brings classic flavors to the table in a way that puts leftovers to use efficiently. This soup merges sautéed mushrooms, tangy sour cream, and tender beef for a filling and crave-worthy creation. It makes meal planning less stressful and helps limit food waste.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup

Making Cabbage Roll Soup is a clever option for anyone with cooked rice or leftover ground meat, mirroring the comfort of stuffed cabbage in a simplified way. This dish combines familiar elements of the traditional recipe with a gentle tomato broth and chopped cabbage for added texture. Everything comes together for a hearty and wholesome soup.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Roll Soup

Hearty Cabbage and Bean Soup

A bowl of Cabbage and Bean Soup with visible chunks of vegetables and beans, garnished with sprigs of rosemary. A spoon and striped napkin are beside the bowl. — Hearty Cabbage and Bean Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When there’s half a head of cabbage or spare canned beans, Hearty Cabbage and Bean Soup makes smart use of both staples. This soup comes together quickly and is packed with nutritious ingredients easily found in most kitchens. Practical for busy days, it lets you stretch leftovers into nourishing portions.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Cabbage and Bean Soup

Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Two bowls of cream of butternut squash and sweet potato soup on a wooden table. — Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

With Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup, those last bits of squash and sweet potato find a comforting new purpose. Roasting and pureeing these vegetables delivers a silky soup enhanced with simple herbs and spices. This recipe allows for creative substitutions that reflect the contents of your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Tuscan Soup with Sausage

Leftover sausage gets a new lease on life in Tuscan Soup with Sausage, which pairs robust flavors and hearty greens. Adding pantry beans and a few fresh vegetables transforms your leftovers into a rich, warming soup. The recipe is both approachable and flexible, working well with whatever extras need to be used up.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Soup with Sausage

Chicken & Corn Chowder

With cooked chicken or a can of corn waiting to be used, Chicken & Corn Chowder blends both into a hearty, comforting dish. Creamy broth and potatoes round out the bowl, making it ideal for using up miscellaneous ingredients. This recipe adapts well to whatever vegetables or seasonings you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Chicken & Corn Chowder

Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Combining refrigerated tortellini and cooked sausage, Tortellini Soup with Sausage is a flavorful and practical way to make use of odds and ends. Choosing simple vegetables and a basic broth ensures that nothing is wasted. The recipe works with a range of leftover greens or beans, allowing for plenty of customization.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Chef Jenn’s Borscht (Beet Soup)

A bowl of borscht with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill on top, served on a brown plate with a spoon on a marble surface. — Chef Jenn’s Borscht (Beet Soup). Photo credit: Gimme Soup.

Using forgotten beets or spare vegetables, Chef Jenn’s Borscht (Beet Soup) honors tradition with every colorful serving. This recipe transforms unused produce into a vibrant soup blended with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Making borscht at home is an excellent way to experiment with what you have left in your fridge. Sharing it lets everyone enjoy a classic dish that helps prevent waste.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Borscht (Beet Soup)

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

When smoked chicken needs to be used up, Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup introduces a smoky kick to a classic favorite. Beans, tomatoes, and crisp tortilla strips add substance and texture. Spice levels can be adjusted based on what is left over or available in the pantry. Offering this soup to your table is a wonderful way to refresh leftovers into a comforting meal worth sharing.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Easy Cheesy Lasagna Soup

Close-up of a bowl of soup with lasagna soup, topped with chopped basil, on a blue-patterned tiles. — Easy Cheesy Lasagna Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Turning lasagna ingredients into Easy Cheesy Lasagna Soup gives leftovers a new purpose with minimal effort. This soup combines noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese into a single bowl, making it easier to stretch a small amount of each ingredient. The recipe is forgiving and lets you incorporate any extras you might have.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Lasagna Soup

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Instead of letting rotisserie chicken dry out in the fridge, Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup transforms it into a classic soup that is both practical and comforting. Carrots, celery, and noodles round out the experience. It is quick to prepare when time is short, and is ideal for using up odds and ends of vegetables and leftover cooked chicken.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

A creative take on dinnertime, Cheeseburger Soup cleverly repurposes burger supplies into a hearty soup. Ground meat, potatoes, and cheese cook together for a simple dish that is sure to please. Fresh or leftover toppings like chopped onions and pickles personalize each bowl. Sharing this meal turns leftover ingredients into a fun eating experience everyone will talk about.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

Cullen Skink

For anyone with leftover smoked fish and potatoes, Cullen Skink offers a quick and reliable option to use what remains. The combination of soft leeks and rich milk creates a smooth texture and gentle flavor. Making this traditional soup helps clear out leftovers while still delivering something unique at the table. Offering it is a reminder that resourcefulness can be both meaningful and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cullen Skink

Fully Loaded Baked Potato Soup

With leftover baked potatoes, Fully Loaded Baked Potato Soup gives those spuds another moment to shine. Adding snippets of bacon, chives, and cheese, this recipe uses classic toppers in a warming way. Simple seasonings finish off the dish, making each scoop customizable for every guest. Preparing a batch for a group helps turn extras into a gathering everyone will appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Fully Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Shrimp & Corn Chowder

Extra cooked shrimp and canned corn become the stars in Shrimp & Corn Chowder, making an easy meal out of just a few leftovers. Creamy broth and potatoes serve as the base while fresh herbs perk things up. This recipe welcomes bits of other seafood or vegetables you have around. Presenting this chowder celebrates resourcefulness while keeping flavors familiar and inviting.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp & Corn Chowder

Cream of Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Soup

Small amounts of mushrooms and onions left in your crisper can come together in Cream of Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Soup for a rich and luxurious soup. Gentle caramelization brings out deep flavor while a creamy finish ties everything together. Using leftover cream or broth helps keep the recipe both practical and budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Soup

Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken

Spare kale and cooked chicken become a weeknight lifesaver in Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken. Tossing in cheese-filled tortellini and vegetables, this soup builds on what is already in your kitchen. It balances a hearty base with leafy greens, making leftovers stretch a little further. Making this for others is a great example of how simple ingredients mix well to create a filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken

Panera Bread’s 10 Vegetable Soup

Varied vegetable leftovers easily find a home in Panera Bread’s 10 Vegetable Soup, which turns odds and ends into a nourishing, colorful soup. With beans, grains, and broth providing a strong base, this recipe can absorb whatever produce is nearing its prime. Each batch becomes unique depending on your ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Panera Bread’s 10 Vegetable Soup

Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Using up roast turkey in Turkey Pot Pie Soup is a clever way to bring comfort food to the table without any fuss. This soup draws inspiration from the classic dish, combining turkey, vegetables, and potatoes in a creamy base. Adding pie crust crackers provides crunch and a nod to the original. Sharing with others is an effective way to turn leftovers into a meal worth talking about.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup

A bowl of French onion soup with bread on top. — Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover onions become the highlight in Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup, blending sweet browned onions with a rich, flavorful broth. Toasted bread and a layer of melted cheese complete the iconic recipe. This soup takes time but rewards with every spoonful, making even the simplest leftovers worthwhile.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup

Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone

Ripening tomatoes and a scoop of mascarpone transform into something special in Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone. Subtle smoky flavor and creamy cheese boost simple ingredients into a luxurious dish. This soup adapts beautifully to incorporate vegetables that might otherwise be wasted. Serving it invites others to appreciate how leftovers can become a new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone

Italian Wedding Soup

Two bowls of Italian soup accompanied by yellow flowers and a spoon. — Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Wilting greens and leftover meatballs are perfect for Italian Wedding Soup, which marries simple flavors in a fulfilling broth. Tiny pasta, broth, and parmesan bring traditional comfort to each bowl. This recipe is highly adaptable and lets you use whatever cooked meat or spinach remains. Inviting friends or family to share a pot of this soup helps use every last bit in your fridge.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

With extra chicken and leftover gnocchi on hand, Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a practical way to create a soft and creamy meal. Carrots, celery, and spinach lend texture, while the creamy broth brings everything together. You can easily adjust to whatever additional vegetables or herbs you need to use up. Offering this soup is a great example of making the most out of available ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Steak & Potato Soup

When steak and potatoes need to be repurposed, Steak & Potato Soup provides a filling and comforting option. Slow simmering with onions and broth helps meld the flavors together, creating a dish built from leftovers. Herbs and spices can be tweaked according to what you have available. Sharing this hearty soup helps stretch a few ingredients into something share-worthy in no time.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Potato Soup

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Leftover pasta and beans easily blend into Pasta e Fagioli Soup for a meal that is both resourceful and full of flavor. With tomatoes, broth, and vegetables as the foundation, the result is a wholesome and heartwarming soup. Adjusting the recipe based on pantry supplies is simple and helps reduce food waste. Serving this soup demonstrates a budget-friendly way to make dinner feel special.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Seafood Chowder

A mix of leftover seafood becomes the foundation for Seafood Chowder, a soup that welcomes fish, shellfish, and potatoes in a creamy broth. This recipe allows you to work with whatever bits of seafood or vegetables need to be used up. A few fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon add final touches to the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Chowder

Cream of Onion Soup

Two bowls of cream onion soup on a wooden table. — Cream of Onion Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Spare onions can be taken in a new direction by preparing Cream of Onion Soup, which results in a simple and fulfilling dish. Gentle cooking brings out natural sweetness, while blending creates a smooth and cozy texture. This soup keeps ingredient lists minimal and makes the most of basic staples. Sharing it is a great reminder that humble leftovers are worth celebrating.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Onion Soup

Red Pepper & Tomato Soup

A bowl of red pepper and tomato soup next to a plate of bread and a spoon. — Red Pepper & Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bits of red pepper and ripe tomatoes are brought together for Red Pepper & Tomato Soup, a quick solution for excess produce. The recipe can be altered depending on the spices or dairy you have on hand. Fast blending ensures all leftovers are put to good use without much effort. Making this soup will help keep your refrigerator clear while still providing plenty of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Red Pepper & Tomato Soup

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Mexican street style corn soup in a white bowl on a white plate. — Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Stray ears of corn or canned kernels become the highlight in Mexican Street Corn Soup, taking cues from classic street food. Creamy broth, cotija cheese, and a bit of spice round out the soup, using up ingredients before they can be forgotten. Adjustments are easy, allowing you to incorporate different toppings or herbs.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Split Pea, Ham & Sausage Soup

Two bowls of soup with ham, sausage, split peas and vegetables in them. — Split Pea, Ham & Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Using up leftover ham or sausage is simple when making Split Pea, Ham & Sausage Soup, a hearty way to enjoy these ingredients one more time. Split peas, carrots, and onions add heartiness and flavor. A long simmer melds the flavors, making the most out of pantry and fridge supplies. Offering this soup shows that leftovers can come together to create a meal everyone will want a second helping of.
Get the Recipe: Split Pea, Ham & Sausage Soup

Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Cooked chicken and bits of wild rice come together in Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup for a meal that is smooth and filling. Stirring in leftover vegetables or dairy helps personalize each batch. This soup brings warmth and uses up what might otherwise go to waste. Serving it in generous bowls creates a meal that is both nourishing and resourceful.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup