This lentil tomato soup is very flavorful, it is incredibly easy to make, and it freezes like a champ. You can also make a vegan or vegetarian version; see the variations!

This thick and satisfying soup has tailgating or sidelines or post-game meal written all over it. It's thick, fragrant with cumin and coriander, and kind of dal-like in personality. Definitely add the fresh parsley at the end for a pop of freshness.

This vegetarian black bean soup balances the earthiness of all those protein-rich black beans with fresh orange juice and orange zest. A nice dose of cumin, oregano, and garlic amp up the flavor nicely. And this soup is a flavorful reminder of how great food doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Beans are a great vegetarian protein, easily accessible, flexible, really cheap, and with a long shelf life. And then it's all about the toppings! Think about salsa, sour cream, scallions, tortilla chips, cubed avocado, and grated cheese.

This is comfort food at its homiest. The texture is soothing, the flavor is mellow, and it's so easy to make. You'll want a pot of this simmering on the stove once a week — it's great for those busy weeknights when people are coming and going at different times! And if you skip the Parmesan at the end (totally optional), it's actually a vegan soup.