31 Ways to Make Fall Soups Heartier Without Adding Meat

Fall soups are all about comfort, but they don't have to rely on meat to feel hearty and filling. This collection shows you how to pack your soups with ingredients that bring great flavor and texture while keeping things plant-based. Whether you're using beans, squash, or lentils, these recipes are perfect for cozy dinners that leave you feeling full and satisfied. From creamy to chunky, these soups will hit the spot as the weather cools down, proving you can make a seriously filling meal without meat.

An image of greek chickpea soup in a bowl with utensils beside it. — Greek Chickpea Soup. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Pinto Bean Soup

This pinto bean soup is a hearty, healthy choice for cold weather, made entirely in one pot. It’s packed with plant-based protein, making it a perfect option for boosting the heartiness of fall meals without needing to add meat.
Get the Recipe: Pinto Bean Soup

Spaghetti Squash Soup

This creamy spaghetti squash soup is vegan and made with simple ingredients, coming together in under 45 minutes. It’s a rich, satisfying option for fall, delivering flavor and substance without any meat.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Soup

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Curry-roasted pumpkin soup is a simple, sheet pan and blender recipe that turns leftover pumpkin into a creamy, zero-waste meal. Packed with seasonal flavor, it’s an excellent way to make fall soups heartier without meat.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Greek Chickpea Soup

Greek chickpea soup is a nutritious, plant-based meal that’s perfect for meal prep, ready in just 45 minutes. Its hearty texture and protein-packed chickpeas make it an excellent meat-free option for fall soups.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chickpea Soup

Mushroom Barley Soup

Mushroom Barley Soup is a hearty, nutritious meal that’s ready in under an hour, perfect for busy fall nights. The mushrooms and barley add depth and texture, making it a great meat-free alternative to traditional soups.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Barley Soup

Authentic Mulligatawny Soup

An overhead image of mulligatawny soup being scooped out in a large pot. — Authentic Mulligatawny Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mulligatawny Soup combines vegetables and lentils in a creamy coconut broth, creating a rich, plant-based meal. It’s a perfect option for adding heartiness to fall soups without relying on meat.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Mulligatawny Soup

Easy One-Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one-pot vegan cabbage soup is full of flavor and packed with nutrients, making it both easy to prepare and filling. The combination of cabbage and plant-based ingredients makes this an excellent choice for hearty, meat-free fall dinners.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Acorn Squash Soup

Acorn squash soup is a creamy, savory dish that uses seasonal ingredients to create a hearty fall meal. Ready in under an hour, it’s a satisfying way to enjoy a comforting soup without the need for meat.
Get the Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Creamy roasted cauliflower soup is infused with garlic, thyme, and cumin, creating a rich and flavorful dish. Its thick texture and bold seasoning make it a hearty fall soup that doesn’t need meat to be filling.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Instant Pot Minestrone

An overhead image of a bowl of minestrone soup served in a white bowl, accompanied by a spoon on the side and a white cloth underneath. — Instant Pot Minestrone. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Instant Pot vegetable soup uses fresh veggies and beans to create a nutritious, plant-based meal in under 30 minutes. It’s a quick and hearty option for fall, offering a filling dish without any meat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone

Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup

An overhead view of the Tuscan bean soup placed on a serving dish with a spoon on the side. — Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tuscan bean soup is a budget-friendly meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a quick option for weeknight dinners. The beans provide heartiness and protein, making it an excellent meat-free choice for fall meals.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup

Thai Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Top view of butternut squash soup with a spoon in it. — Thai Curried Butternut Squash Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Thai-curried roasted butternut squash soup with coconut milk is creamy and spicy, bringing a bold and flavorful touch to your fall menu. This hearty, plant-based soup is perfect for cooler weather without relying on meat.
Get the Recipe: Thai Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Vegetarian French onion soup features caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese, and crusty bread, creating a rich, comforting meal. This hearty, meat-free soup is a perfect addition to any fall dinner lineup.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian French Onion Soup

Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

An overhead image of vegan white bean chili with toppings. — Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This white bean chili is a quick, nutritious meal that combines pantry staples into a wholesome, filling dish. Perfect for busy nights, it’s a hearty, meat-free option for fall dinners that still feels substantial.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

Vegan Minestrone Soup

Vegan minestrone is loaded with plant-based nutrition and can be customized with whatever vegetables you have on hand. It’s a hearty and practical option for winter, providing a meat-free but satisfying meal for cold nights.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Minestrone Soup

Vegan Potato Soup

Creamy Vegan Potato Soup is a versatile dish that can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stove, offering a simple, hearty meal. Its rich texture and plant-based ingredients make it a perfect addition to your fall soup rotation without the need for meat.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Potato Soup

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil. — Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot Minestrone soup is a quick, one-pot meal that’s full of flavor and packed with veggies. It’s an easy, hearty option for fall dinners when you want a nutritious, meat-free meal in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Turmeric Lentil Soup

A pot of veggie lentil soup, filled with vegetables and lentils. — Turmeric Lentil Soup. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Turmeric Lentil Soup combines lentils and spices for a nutritious, hearty dish that’s perfect for winter meals. It’s easy to make, full of health benefits, and an excellent choice for fall dinners without meat.
Get the Recipe: Turmeric Lentil Soup

Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprout Soup

Creamy Brussels sprout soup is made quickly in a blender and infused with garlic, creating a hearty, flavorful dish. This dairy-free and vegan-friendly option is perfect for adding substance to fall meals without the need for meat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprout Soup

Curry Pumpkin Soup

This soup melds the warmth of curry spices with the smooth texture of pureed pumpkin, creating a comforting dish. It’s a hearty fall option that doesn’t need meat to be filling, perfect for chilly weather.
Get the Recipe: Curry Pumpkin Soup

Creamy, Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Apples

A bowl of soup with apples and sprigs of thyme. — Creamy, Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Apples. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Slow-cooked Jerusalem artichoke soup, with leeks, apples, and herbs, makes for a creamy and vibrant meal. This hearty, seasonal soup is an excellent way to enjoy fall flavors without relying on meat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy, vegan Jerusalem artichoke soup with apples

Carrot and Red Lentil Soup with Tomatoes

A spoonful of carrot and red lentil soup in a bowl. — Carrot and Red Lentil Soup with Tomatoes. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Carrot and red lentil soup is both simple and filling, combining the richness of tomatoes and the heartiness of lentils. It’s a perfect meat-free option to add substance to your fall meals.
Get the Recipe: Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Recipe with Tomatoes

Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Roasted tomato soup, rich with deep tomato flavor, turns a classic dish into a hearty fall meal. Roasting the tomatoes adds extra depth, making it a satisfying meat-free option for cooler weather.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Vegan Thai Coconut Curry Soup

Thai coconut curry soup brings authentic flavors to your table, creating a rich, comforting dish that’s quick to prepare. This hearty soup is an excellent plant-based option for fall dinners, delivering flavor without meat.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Thai Coconut Curry Soup

Comforting Beet Lentil Soup

Beet lentil soup is a vibrant and filling dish, loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients like beets, lentils, and fresh veggies. It’s an easy, hearty option for fall, offering substance without meat.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Beet Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Bean Soup

This Instant Pot bean soup, made with a blend of 13 beans and lentils, is a hearty and nutritious meal. Adding Tuscan kale boosts the flavor and color, making this a perfect fall soup without needing any meat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bean Soup

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup is a hearty, rich meal that’s full of nutty flavor, making it a great choice for fall dinners. With easy prep and no need for meat, this dish is both filling and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

A crock of butternut soup. — Slow Cooker Butternut Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup is a creamy and comforting fall dish, made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Packed with the natural sweetness of butternut squash and warming spices, it’s a hearty and filling option for fall dinners without needing any meat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Street corn soup with potatoes, corn and red pepper in the crock pot with a spoon on the side. — Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup captures the essence of elote in a bowl, creating a rich and satisfying dish. It’s a hearty, plant-based option for fall that requires no meat to feel substantial.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Middle Eastern Spiced Cauliflower Soup

Spiced cauliflower soup with caramelized onions and raisins brings bold flavors together for a rich, comforting meal. This hearty fall soup is packed with Middle Eastern spices, providing plenty of flavor without meat.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Spiced Cauliflower Soup

White Bean Soup

This White Bean Soup is a one-pot recipe that comes together in just 40 minutes. It’s easy enough to make for weeknight dinners, especially when you’re looking to get some extra fiber and veggies in.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup