How to save money making ‘use-it-up’ soups

We’ve all got to that point at the end of the week when all we have available are leftover veggies, an odd collection of canned foods, a few slices of bread and frozen sheets of pastry. We’ve run out of groceries, and now we have to think creatively.

But thinking creatively is just the thing that will get you through times when you haven’t been to the supermarket, and you don’t know what to make for dinner. 

Creative thinking will help you to think outside the box and create hearty dinners that won’t cost anything at all. All you need to do is use what you have in the fridge and the pantry and make a week of delicious soups instead. 

A bowl of soup is like a hug from the inside. It’s a delicious way to get nutrients into your body, a tasty way to nourish your soul, and a good reminder to use up what you have so you help reduce food waste.

Assuming you have a cupboard of spices, some canned vegetables and a few slices of bread on hand, choose a few nights this week where you forgo the dash to the supermarket. Instead, exercise a little creativity and soups using what you have available. 

Lentils

Hanging onto that packet of lentils? Make a hearty dish like this spicy red lentil soup using a mix of spices you probably have on hand and a few extra carrots, onions and potatoes. 

Spicy Lentil Soup

Pasta

Packets of pasta at the back of the pantry? Throw it in a pot with some frozen veg, canned beans, liquid stock and spices to taste, and you’ll have this delicious minestrone soup to devour for dinner.  

Minestrone Soup

Frozen chicken

Not enough chicken to make a meal for the entire family? No stress! Slice the chicken into small pieces, add it to a pot and bulk it up with all the veggies you can find in your fridge or freezer. You could create something similar to Nan’s tasty ‘fix everything’ chicken soup. If you have any leftover slices of bread, now’s the time to use it to mop up the soup! 

Nan’s ‘fix everything’ chicken soup

Bacon

Grab a few potatoes, cheese, flour and bacon, and you’ll soon have this warming chunky bacon and potato soup. This soup is delicious served with cracked pepper and buttered toast! 

Chunky Potato and Bacon Soup recipe

Canned tomatoes

If you’re running thin on ingredients, don’t despair. This tasty tomato soup is an easy recipe that requires minimal effort but delivers a flavoursome dinner! 

Tomato Soup

Looking for more soup inspiration?

60 all-new soups to help make healthier dinners

Old-fashioned soups to keep in repeat

Delicious soups you can freeze

Originally published as How to save money making ‘use-it-up’ soups