Easy Ways to Makeover Your Canned Soup

Posted Wed, Feb 13, 2008, 4:49 pm PST

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While we admire those kitchen whizzes who spend hours whipping up elaborate dishes with fancy names and dozens of ingredients, we just don't have it in us. Our tastes run towards the short-and-simple. And what could be quicker or easier than opening a can of soup? With a few added ingredients and a garnish or two, you can turn your favorite ready-made soups into gourmet dinners. So, whether you're cooking up a meal for the family or putting together a dinner party menu, whip out your can opener and whip up something fantastic!

Not Your Mama's Tomato Soup For a modern spin on mom's classic, open a can of tomato soup and prepare according to instructions. Pour into bowls and top each with a spoonful of sour cream, slice of sun-dried tomato, and sprinkling of fresh chives. On the side, offer open-face grilled cheese minis: Sprinkle strips of sourdough or slices of baguette with Jarlsberg cheese and a dash of garlic salt and stick under the broiler ‘til bubbly and golden. A simple green salad tossed with olive oil and lemon juice finishes off the feast.

Instant Italian Take a can of your favorite rich and chunky vegetable soup (we love Progresso) and transform it into an almost homemade minestrone. Cook up some tortellini or other pasta (mezza rigatoni work well, too) and toss them into the soup along with a variety of fresh veggies to make it extra hearty--chopped green beans, chickpeas, sweet potato, etc. To finish it off, grate fresh Pecorino cheese on top of each steaming bowl. Serve with store-bought breadsticks and mangiate!

Chicken & Cheddar Crack open a can of ready-made chicken soup (try Progresso Chicken Barley and Chickarina). Raid your fridge for fresh or frozen veggies--broccoli, corn, peas, carrots--and briefly steam or microwave them. Then toss into the soup. Garnish with a small mound of grated Cheddar and a sprinkling of fresh green onion. Serve with a big bowl of brown rice on the side.

Supped-Up Squash Start with a can of squash soup. Add chunks of fresh potato and yellow squash (steam or boil them first until soft). Top with grated Swiss cheese, a few croutons, and a splash of paprika for color. Serve with sliced ham and a loaf of fragrant garlic bread ... yum!

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232 Comments

1. Posted by tbertroche on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:34 pm PST

oh my gosh that is such an original thought! Tomato soup with grilled cheese?? How revolutionary!
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2. Posted by cariadcastle on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:35 pm PST

yummy, yummy, yummy! So when's dinner?
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3. Posted by Anana H on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:35 pm PST

Between the weather, my health and budget, I'm living off of soup right now...great ideas!
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4. Posted by William F on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PST

I like to get Campbell's cream of shrimp. Add a few chopped shrimp and a touch of sherry to make it more bisque-like.
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5. Posted by ginger1 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PST

All of the canned soups contain high fructos corn syrup,and other not so healthy stuff. You are better off getting fast food.
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6. Posted by Mr. Chris on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PST

No souping-up will rid canned soup of high sodium and preservatives.
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7. Posted by bstair79 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PST

Easy Greek Chicken and Lemon Soup... open a can of chicken and rice (Cambell's works), add lemon juice (fresh is great), salt and pepper to taste. Serve with warmed pitas and butter.
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8. Posted by dolphindmb25 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PST

wow. how intriguing....i would nave never though of that...
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9. Posted by cybernannylee on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:38 pm PST

Good idea to jazz up soups, but you stopped me with your liking of Progresso. Read the label; MSG is only one undesirable. One can find healthier soups to jazz up. like Amy's or Trader Joe's for instance.
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10. Posted by millieisacat on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:39 pm PST

I add a packet of crabmeat to a can of progresso clam chowder, cook with papprika for zaest and color and my husband thinks its bisque, so thick and creamy!
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11. Posted by Julie W on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:39 pm PST

I was just thinking about some new soup recipes today and this article popped up. :D
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12. Posted by cybernannylee on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:39 pm PST

Good idea to jazz up soups, but you stopped me with your liking of Progresso. Read the label; MSG is only one undesirable. One can find healthier soups to jazz up. like Amy's or Trader Joe's for instance.
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13. Posted by rlss3220 on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:39 pm PST

Here is my way of souping up tomato soup. Use milk instead of water, add some basil,butter and fresh ground pepper. Crush up some Dorito's for a topping. MMMMmmmmm....................
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14. Posted by Jen on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:40 pm PST

I automatically ignore any recipe that 1) Slams cooking as "too difficult" or time consuming (it is neither) 2) Uses the phrase "mound of cheese"
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15. Posted by Turbo on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:40 pm PST

I agree with street_cents. If your going to raid the fridge or make extra pasta, break out the chicken broth and get creative!!!!!
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16. Posted by aprillmsi on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:41 pm PST

excellent ideas. Also, if you like potato soup - try cooking up regular condensed potato soup (I like campbells) and adding crisped bacon, cheddar cheese, and italian seasoning, for a quick and hearty meal.
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17. Posted by austingirl on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:41 pm PST

1 can of each -chicken broth, refried beans and rotel tomatoes, mix and serve. Yummy bean soup.
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18. Posted by Shannon F on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:42 pm PST

What I do is throw tomato soup in the pot, add just a LITTLE bit of milk (no more than a 1/4 cup) and a couple of handfuls of sharp cheddar. I love it!
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19. Posted by hhollyd on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:42 pm PST

If you can't find it in you to make homemade soup... that's just sad. Look how much sodium is in that canned crap! Even the so-called "lower sodium" kind has waaayyyy too much. Making homemade soup is the easiest thing in the world, and doesn't have to take a long time. Make your own and pour the canned stuff down the toilet, which is where crap is supposed to go anyway.
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20. Posted by elbodude on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:43 pm PST

I wish they would kiss
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21. Posted by drgracerx on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:43 pm PST

The one with the dark hair is hot! She can come over and cook me soup sometime.
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22. Posted by jjsamide on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:43 pm PST

Just when you thought it wasnt safe to go back into the kitchen the obvious twins to the rescue. Im betting they learned to cook in Minnesota, where is the cream of mushroom soup? If you girls get paid for this just laugh all the way to the bank.
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23. Posted by honestdenn on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:43 pm PST

Too bad canned tomato soup is load with high fructose corn syrup... nasty.
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24. Posted by Jeff M on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

The vast majority of major lable canned soup is a toxic stew of MSG (hidden under a couple dozen names including "natural flavoring") and enough bad sodium to sicken a horse. Make the soup or buy REAL organic soup...
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25. Posted by Jeff M on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

The vast majority of major lable canned soup is a toxic stew of MSG (hidden under a couple dozen names including "natural flavoring") and enough bad sodium to sicken a horse. Make the soup or buy REAL organic soup...
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26. Posted by squidipus_rex on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

It's not hard to make your own soup from scratch. Just pour all our ingredients in a slow cooker and let it alone.
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27. Posted by Jeff M on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

The vast majority of major lable canned soup is a toxic stew of MSG (hidden under a couple dozen names including "natural flavoring") and enough bad sodium to sicken a horse. Make the soup or buy REAL organic soup...
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28. Posted by Kevin Lau on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

i like this soup.
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29. Posted by Pepe Le Pew on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:44 pm PST

I often put Friskie's Seafood buffet in with cream of mushroom and GARNISH with Kibbles and Bits
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30. Posted by D I on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 1:45 pm PST

Been there before. We slice celery, carrots, and onions. We saute them in the pot we make the soup in with olive oil until tender. Then we add 1 can of beef broth and one can of Campbell's chunky soup. Season it to taste and serve it with sandwiches. Makes a great meal on these winter nights.
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