12 Unique soup add-ins

Add fun and creativity to ordinary soup with these ideas for special add-ins.

Soup doesn’t have to be boring! Add some texture and crunch to your next soup meal with these flavorful add-ins.

Homemade croutons are simple to make and also a great way to recycle stale bread. Add some crunch to your next bowl of soup with this easy recipe for homemade croutons.

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Rice makes just about any soup heartier. Dress up your soup by adding in your leftover rice. This rustic winter rice pilaf recipe would be a perfect addition!

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Everything’s better with bacon! Add crumbled bacon to your soup for a hearty change of pace.

Grated Parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar cheese is the perfect add-in for most soups. Kick it up a notch by adding spicy Monterey Jack cheese.

Take your ordinary soup to extraordinary levels by adding basil, chives, dill, thyme or rosemary. Use your imagination!

Got leftover meat from last night’s dinner? Dress up your soup and recycle your leftovers at the same time.

Leftover or canned vegetables stretch your soup even farther. Add green beans, carrots, okra or squash to canned vegetable beef soup. Get creative!

Give your soup more substance by adding cooked pasta such as brown rice, linguine or shells.

Is your soup too watery? Thicken things up by stirring creamy mashed potatoes into otherwise thin soup.

Keep this homemade roasted garlic sauce on hand to spice up a variety of foods, including otherwise bland soup. It’s also great on pasta and vegetables!

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Add an edible bowl to your soup for a more filling meal. Liven it up even more with this recipe for octopus- and penguin-shaped bread bowls. Your kids will love them, too!

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Add a sliced or chopped hard-boiled egg for a flavorful protein addition to ordinary soup.

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