Easy Canned Soup Recipes Can Spice Up A Cheap Meal

By Ken Kudra

Canned soup is an inexpensive meal that is easy to make. All you have to do is open up the can and heat up the contents. Unfortunately, this can get boring fast. What is an amateur cook to do? If you are in a hurry, you are probably not going to be able to cook a full meal from scratch. The good news is that you can improve any can of soup to make things more interesting, without things getting complicated.

The right additions can turn your canned soup from a bland sort of meal to a fabulous one. For instance, a few extra vegetables can make things a lot more fun. Chop up whatever you have around and saute it quickly in a pan, or just cook it a little in the microwave. Add the partially cooked veggies to your soups and improve the flavor right away.

You can use frozen vegetables, as well. They require even less work than using fresh vegetables or many types of leftovers. Just pour them out of the bag and heat. There is a real difference in taste. Try corn or green beans in chowders or cream soups, for instance.

Leftover meats can work very well in soups, for those who want to make things a little heartier. When you have chicken, a roast, pork, or even seafood, save a few leftovers, then heat them up in the microwave and add right to your soup. Any kind of meat can work well for this as long as you handle it safely.

For those who do not usually have much in the way of meaty leftovers, canned meats can come to the rescue. There are great canned chicken, shrimp, crab, and other meat options out there that can really help you add interest to your soups. It is amazing how easy soup recipes can be.

Leftover grains are a wonderful addition to soup meals, as well. Leftover rice, barley, or pilafs, a handful of extra noodles, and many other grains can add a bit of interest to a boring canned soup. Precooked grains can be added right to the soup when you heat it.

Be sure not to forget about your spice cabinet or condiment shelf when you improve canned soups. Sprinkle on a little garlic or onion powder, seasoning salt, a few herbs, or some red or black pepper. Splash in a little wine or sherry, or a touch of balsamic or red wine vinegar. Hot sauce, soy sauce, and other unusual condiments also have a surprisingly good effect.

Cheese and other dairy products work well, too. Grate a little fresh cheese on top of a soup, or add it to cream soups when heating for a delicious cheesy option. How about a spoonful of sour cream? Add it after heating the soup to make your meal a little richer. - 30289

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