Delicious Holiday Soups

This hearty soup with a creamy baked potato base gets much of its flavor from the toppings: crispy bacon slices, fresh chives, thinly sliced green onion, and shredded American cheese.

Fresh vegetables pair with hearty barley, chicken breasts, and sage for a warm-you-up meal. Best of all, you can prep and freeze this soup ahead for your dinner party.

This warm and inviting classic chowder recipe serves eight and takes only an hour to make, so it's a perfect starter for a small holiday party.

With generous portions of chicken and sausage, this meaty gumbo can be served as a main dish for a holiday party. Once everything is cooking in the pot, let the flavors come together for an hour while you entertain your guests.

Think green with this flavorful take on split pea soup; smoked pork hocks transform it into a hearty holiday classic.

A dash of hot chili powder and green chile peppers add a spicy kick to this chicken-and-tomato soup. Try topping with sliced avocado, grape tomatoes, or tortilla chips -- or all three!

Give your holiday party guests chopsticks or a slotted spoon to eat this Asian noodle soup, which mixes meat, fish, and shrimp with veggies in a warm and comforting broth.

This make-ahead stew is perfect for an almost instant winter dinner. It simmers all day in a slow cooker and needs just 30 minutes to cook when you get home.

The ancho chiles, jalapeno pepper, and chili powder add a kick to this hearty meat chili, sure to warm you up on a cold winter night.

This creamy classic, topped with crispy bacon and authentic Italian cheese, serves up to 10 people and can be made in just over an hour.

Warm up for the holidays with a taste of the Mediterranean -- this seafood soup originated in southern France and combines four different kinds of fish with plenty of vegetables in a tasty broth.

Indulge guests with this creamy soup; roasted red peppers and snipped rosemary add a festive touch.

This pretty soup takes just 30 minutes to make and requires only six ingredients.

Sophisticated, yet stunningly simple, this 25-minute pumpkin starter gets bold flavors from curry powder, cumin, and coriander.

As an alternative to traditional green bean casserole, try this rich and creamy soup starring Haricots vert (tiny, tender green beans). If you can't find them, regular-size green beans will work just as well.

Slow-roasting brings out the squash's rich flavor with ease, while freshly grated nutmeg adds a touch of spice. To save time, make this velvety soup the night before and reheat it before the meal.

Turn a proven crowd-pleaser -- apples and cheese -- into this creamy soup. Chunks of potatoes add heartiness. Garnish the soup with slices of Granny Smith apples for tart flavor; Pacific Queen apples make a sweeter alternative.

This elegant and smooth soup gets a dash of sophistication when leeks are used in place of onions.

Full of antioxidants and vitamins, this delicious soup is hard to resist. With only five ingredients, it requires just 15 minutes of prep time.

Caramelized onions and fresh ginger bring delicious flavor to this creamy carrot and sweet potato soup.

You can whip up this festive starter in only 15 minutes using canned pumpkin and cannelloni beans.

A touch of orzo pasta (or wild rice, if you prefer) adds texture to this creamy, easy-to-make pumpkin bisque.

Your guests will love this rich potato-bacon soup. Toasted bread in the shape of a star with onion-grape marmalade and snipped chives makes a festive topper.

A holiday classic, this savory soup is ready in less than an hour. Garnish with sweet potato chips for added pizzazz.