Looking for a nutrient-dense yet meatless dinner? These soups and stews are packed with seasonal vegetables that are good for your body and good to your taste buds. Vegetarian Chili, Maple-Chile Butternut Soup, Buffalo Corn-Potato Chowder, and Winter Soup au Pistou are just a few of our recipes that deliver great flavor and nutrition.

01 of 19

Winter Soup au Pistou

Winter Soupe au Pistou. Kelsey Hansen

We put a Midwest winter twist on the traditional French vegetable soup by swapping summertime vegetables with hearty produce like kale and butternut squash.

02 of 19

Maple-Chile Butternut Soup

Maple-Chile Butternut Soup.

This is a great dairy-free (and cholesterol-free, too) soup in its own right, but a drizzle of Asian-spiced maple syrup adds a wonderfully unexpected kick and dramatic red flourish.

03 of 19

Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Hearty Vegetarian Chili.

Blaine Moats

Bulgur wheat and mushrooms combine to mimic the texture and flavor of ground beef; chili powder, smoked paprika, and chocolate stout lend deep, authentic flavor without a long simmer. It’s one of our most popular chili recipes.

04 of 19

Calico Chowder

Calico Chowder.

Blaine Moats

This creamy and homey soup—perfumed with thyme and sage—will use up those leftover bags of dried beans in your pantry. Being resourceful never tasted so good.

05 of 19

Peperonata with Potatoes and Egg

Peperonata with Potatoes and Eggs.

Brie Pasano

This classic Italian braised-pepper stew freezes beautifully. Abra Berens suggests heaping it over potatoes (or even pasta, polenta, or couscous) and topping it with a poached or boiled egg. This veggie recipe is from her book Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables.

06 of 19

Tuscan Bean Soup

Tuscan Bean Soup.

Andy Lyons

Don’t let the long ingredient list of vegetables deter you, this soup is simple to make. The recipe comes from La Soupe, a non-profit in Cincinnati that creates meals for the community out of surplus food.

07 of 19

Pasta e Ceci (Pasta and Chickpea Soup)

Pasta e Ceci (Pasta and Chickpea Soup). Carson Downing

With 16 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving, this plant-forward dish is as comforting as it is nourishing.

08 of 19

Creamy Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup

Creamy Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup.

Andy Lyons

Unsweetened coconut milk adds the "creamy" into this quick-cooking blend of sweet potatoes and cauliflower, seasoned with coriander, cumin, ginger, and cayenne pepper.

09 of 19

Apple Harvest Chili

Apple Harvest Chili.

Blaine Moats

Fresh apple, dried fruit, and cashews add color, sweetness, and crunch to a ready-in-45 vegetarian chili. For a twist on the traditional toppers (and to hint what’s inside), garnish with apple slivers. "Not too hard, tastes scrumptious!" says a reader.

10 of 19

Chili Verde with Corn Bread Croutons

Chili Verde with Corn Bread Croutons.

Blaine Moats

Bulgur wheat lends meaty texture, fiber, and protein to soups and stews, where it can cook in the broth. In our sweet and savory chili, we match the grain with salsa verde, peppers, and edamame—a weeknight meal that makes it oh-so-easy to be green.

11 of 19

Vegan Gumbo

Vegan Gumbo.

Blaine Moats

If you usually walk past the okra at the farmers market, stop—and make this nutritious meat- and dairy-free take on the New Orleans classic. The recipe comes from Lachelle Cunningham, who is a chef and advocate for the Twin Cities soul food scene.

12 of 19

Cream of Any-Vegetable Soup

Cream of Any-Vegetable Soup.

Blaine Moats

Simmering for hours is so Sunday afternoon! On weeknights, whip up this easy and nutritious soup using whatever veggies you have on hand.

13 of 19

Three Sisters Corn-and-Chili Chowder

Three Sisters Corn-and-Chili Chowder.

Blaine Moats

Diane Nemitz of Ludington, Michigan, kept cooking with the native American "three sisters"—corn, beans, and squash—until she created this satisfying soup. "I’ve been experimenting with corn chowders for a while," she notes. "Roasting the corn kernels makes the difference."

14 of 19

Buffalo Corn-Potato Chowder

Buffalo Corn-Potato Chowder.

Blaine Moats

Inspired by Buffalo chicken wings, this zesty twist on classic cheesy potato soup is perfect for dishing up on game day. (The recipe doesn’t call for chicken, but you can add it if you like.)

15 of 19

Pumpkin, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

Pumpkin, Chickpea, and Red Lentil Stew.

Blaine Moats

This hearty soup boasts a bounty of veggies and seasonings, including pumpkin or squash, fresh ginger, lime juice, cumin, and fresh cilantro.

16 of 19

Thai Butternut Squash Soup

Thai Butternut Squash Soup.

Blaine Moats

Butternut squash, chicken broth, coconut milk, brown sugar, and seasonings combine for a creamy, rich soup. For added flavor, top with Thai Gremolata, a mix of fresh basil or cilantro, chopped peanuts, and finely shredded lemon peel.

17 of 19

Butternut Squash, Lentil, and Wild Rice Stew

Butternut Squash, Lentil, and Wild Rice Stew.

Blaine Moats

Here’s a main-dish soup loaded with veggies. Need to reduce the sodium? Use only one can of French onion soup and replace the other with 1-1/2 cups water.

18 of 19

Ginger-Carrot Soup

Ginger-Carrot Soup.

Jay Wilde

Combine caramelized onions, ginger, carrots, and a sweet potato for this creamy, pretty soup.

19 of 19

Smoked Tomato Soup

Smoked Tomato Soup.

Kim Cornelison

Smoked tomatoes give all-American tomato soup a twist of Ozark flavor. Thyme, garlic, and onion bring more depth to the taste.