Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

3 c chicken soup stock or chicken broth (use 1/4-1/2 c more for a thinner soup)
2 t chicken soup base or 2 bouillon cubes
2 c chopped celery
2 c chopped carrots
3/4 c chopped onions
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 c milk
2 c (1 lb) diced cooked chicken
1 8oz pkg egg noodles, precooked (4 c cooked)

Heat chicken soup stock and base. Add celery, carrots, and onions. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Add soup and milk. Add cooked chicken and noodles. Salt and pepper to taste.

Healthier version:
I use whole wheat noodles, low sodium chicken broth, and skim milk. Calories with substitutions is 128 per 1/2 c serving. Makes 9 cups.

15 Bean Soup

This soup has a strong ham flavor, so of course my husband is a big fan. Definately a guy soup. 1 lb 4 oz bag of 15 bean soup with ham seasoning packet
1 lb of ham, ham hocks, or smoked sausage
1/2-1 c onion, chopped
1 15 oz can stewed or diced tomatoes
1 t chili powder
juice of 1 lemon
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Quickcook Method:
Place rinsed beans in a pot with 3 quarts of water.
Bring to a rapid boil. Reduce heat, cover and continue boiling 60-70 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
After 60 minutes, add ingredients. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Add contents of ham packet 1-2 minutes before cooking is completed. Salt and pepper to taste.

Healthier version:
Use 1/2 lb of 96% fat free ham cubes. With substitution, there is 166 calories per 1/2 c serving. With no ham there is 146 calories per 1/2 c serving. Makes 14 1/2 c servings.

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pkg mild taco seasoning mix
1 16 oz can cut corn (drain if you want a thicker soup)
1 16 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 28 oz can stewed tomatoes
1 8 oz can tomato sauce

Optional Toppings:
tortilla chips
grated cheese
sour cream
olives

Brown ground beef in large sauce pan. Drain fat. Saute chopped onion. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with toppings.

Healthier versions:
With only 1/2 lb ground beef there is 157 calories per 1/2 c serving. (Not including toppings.)
With no ground beef there is 111 calories per 1/2 c serving. (Not including toppings.) If not using beef, only use 1/2 of the taco seasoning pkg.
Toppings will add tons of calories so don't go overboard. Each tortilla chip adds about 10 calories, 1 T of sour cream adds 30 calories, and 1 oz of cheddar cheese adds 110 calories.

Calico Beans

1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. bacon
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 C catsup
1 t salt
1 t dry mustard
2 T brown sugar
1 can butter beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can pork-n-beans

Brown ground beef with chopped onions. Drain fat. Cook bacon till crunchy. Place on paper towel and pat dry. Crumble and add to beef and onions. Add catsup, salt, dry mustard, and brown sugar. Mix. Add all beans. Stir together and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.

***Healthier version: Use only 1/4 lb ground beef and 1/4 lb bacon. With substitutions, it makes 8 1/2 C servings at 232 calories each.

Potato Leek Soup

1 bundle of leeks (you can also use 1 bunch green onions)

1/2 lb butter

3 lbs potatoes (8-9)

about 3 C. chicken stock

1 C. cream

salt and pepper

Coarsley chop leeks just above the start of the green. In large saucepan saute leeks and butter until butter is melted. Add peeled, cubed potatoes. Add enough chicken stock to barely cover veggies. Boil till veggies are very soft. Puree and add cream, salt, and pepper to desired taste. Makes 8 1C. servings.

***For a healthier option use light half and half instead of cream and only 1/2 C. butter. With sunstitutions, only 239 calories per serving.