When winter’s chill settles in and daylight feels fleeting, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of a gently simmered soup. These nine nourishing Italian soups—including vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options—are guaranteed to warm you up.
Italy is famous for pizza and pasta, but Italian soups are a mainstay of everyday meals.
Born from the spirit of cucina povera, the resourceful, ingredient-driven cooking tradition where nothing is wasted, soups became a canvas for frugality and ingenuity. Stale bread, thickened broths, beans and lentils provided affordable sustenance, and whatever vegetables were available found their way into the pot.
The result is a collection of deeply nutritious and beautifully diverse Italian soup recipes that one can make even in the darkest months of the year.
These soup recipes are simple to make, and many are a complete meal all on their own. Warm up your winter table with these simple Italian soups!
Pasta Fagioli
Pasta e Fagioli (“pasta and beans”) is a rustic, simple soup you can make from pantry staples. Our recipe includes two kinds of beans, any small pasta you have on hand, onions, garlic, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Though complete on its own, make it a spread by adding No-Knead Olive Bread and a crunchy Radicchio Salad.
Stracciatella Soup
Stracciatella, which means “little rags” is a fitting name for this timeless Italian egg soup. Drizzling beaten eggs into simmering chicken broth makes a delicate soup with tender ribbons of egg and similarly silky spinach. Parmigiano and a whisper of nutmeg and lemon zest add dimension to this simple, family favorite. It’s delicate but nourishing, perfect paired with big slices of Focaccia.
Ribollita
Ribollita, the classic Tuscan “reboiled” white bean soup, is the very definition of hearty winter comfort. This thick stew combines white beans, chopped vegetables, and generous handfuls of deep green Tuscan kale. Stirring in cubes of day-old bread transforms it into a hearty stew as they break down, thickening the savory broth. It’s very filling and deeply satisfying, especially served with a drizzle of a peppery extra virgin olive oil and a grating of Parmesan on top.
Pappa al Pomodoro (Italian Bread and Tomato Soup)
Another soup from Tuscany that’s thickened with bread, this hearty tomato soup is pure nonna magic. All you need is a can of San Marzano tomatoes, sautéed onion and garlic, and torn pieces of bread that gently dissolve into the broth adding texture. The resulting soup is vegan, but hearty, and a beloved food often given to children. A final drizzle of EVOO is essential, and fresh basil adds a lovely aroma. Add a Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad or Kale Salad with Roasted Pistachios on the side.
Italian Wedding Soup
Tender little meatballs, leafy greens, and tiny pasta are a classic combination in this delicious Neapolitan soup. To get the full experience, the meatballs should be small enough to fit on a spoon so you can enjoy them in one bite. Follow up the meal with a cozy Italian-style apple cake.
Italian Lentil Soup
Affordable, nourishing, and earthy lentils shine in this hearty soup paired with lots of colorful vegetables and tomatoes. A splash of red wine vinegar punctuates the broth, and Italian seasoning gives it lots of dimension. Bookmark this one for New Year’s; eating lentils is believed to usher in a year of good fortune! The lentils in this Italian soup recipe symbolize abundance, as their round shape represents Roman coins expanding as they simmer.
Tuscan Farro Soup
Farro, an ancient grain, brings heartiness and chew to this brothy vegetable soup, a riff on zuppa di farro from Lucca, Tuscany. Creamy white beans, spinach, carrots, and onions simmer in a rich broth. While farro is traditional in this soup, you can use other whole grains like barley, spelt, or freekeh. Substitute quinoa (you can simmer it directly in the broth) or cooked brown rice to make it gluten-free!
Pastina Soup
Pastina or penicillin soup is a beloved Italian remedy, especially for winter colds or when you need something gentle and soothing. The secret magic to this purée of simmered vegetables is a Parmesan cheese rind tucked into the pot, infusing the broth with deep, umami flavor. Feel free to bulk it up by adding shredded poached chicken or rotisserie chicken, and use any tiny pasta shape you like! A simple green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette is perfect on the side.
White Bean Soup with Spinach and Fresh Herbs
A gluten-free twist on a classic ribollita (minus the bread), this vegan white bean soup recipe mimics the same thick texture by using an immersion blender to puree some of the base. A touch of heat from paprika and chili flakes, and a generous handful of fresh herbs finish it off. A citrusy beet salad with feta and arugula would add even more color to the table.
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