16 Dinners That Start With a Can of Soup

Serving of tuna macaroni casserole with peas and a crispy cheesy topping
Photo: Melissa Goff

A can of condensed soup, something almost everyone has in their pantry, can be so much more than an open-and-serve meal. You can use cream of chicken or celery as the base for cozy casseroles, decadent pastas, or hearty stews. Condensed tomato soup amps up meatballs, creates superior stews, and even sauces up sandwiches. If you have a few cans sitting around, use one of these 16 recipes to magically turn your soup into a satisfying meal.

01 of 16

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole I
Andrea Miller

Reviewer Cam3925 says, "This is a new favorite for us! It is easy to throw together on a weeknight and it's a hit with everyone in my family including my picky pre-teen." The crisp top of crushed butter round crackers is always a hit.

02 of 16

Neat Sloppy Joes

Neat Sloppy Joes
OkinawanPrincess

The title of "neat" sloppy joes comes from the extra thick sauce, which uses canned tomato soup as a secret ingredient. Since there are no bell peppers in the mix, it's a sure favorite for kids.

03 of 16

Cream of Chicken Breasts

Cream of Chicken Breasts
Marlene Santana

Four simple ingredients create this delightfully rich and creamy main dish. Serve over pasta or rice with a side of veggies for a well-rounded meal.

04 of 16

Hearty Hamburger Soup

Hearty Hamburger Soup
abapplez

When you need a stick-to-your-ribs dinner the whole family will love, this soup is here for you. The two hours of simmering results in a rich and flavorful broth.

05 of 16

Shortcut Shepherd's Pie

Shortcut Shepherd's Pie
Stephanie Wong

Cream of celery and cream of mushroom soups add a savory base to this easy casserole. "Excellent! This is the only way I can get my toddler to eat vegetables," says Martie.

06 of 16

Grandma's Hamburger Hot Dish

Grandma's Hamburger Hot Dish
Yoly

Egg noodles combine with ground beef and cream of chicken soup for a hearty and flavorful dinner. The sprinkling of cashews on top adds a distinct crunch.

07 of 16

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Nichole Keddington

With all the taste of your favorite casserole, but with a lot less effort, this creamy soup only requires one step to make it.

08 of 16

Porcupine Meatballs

Porcupine Meatballs II
Karen

Touting their porcupine name thanks to the addition of spiky rice, these distinctive meatballs are simmered in tomato soup for extra flavor.

09 of 16

Marchetti

Marchetti
DotDot

Cream of mushroom and tomato soups combine for this unbeatable pasta dish. Don't forget to serve with a side of garlic bread for sopping up the extra sauce.

10 of 16

Easy Tuna Casserole

Serving of tuna macaroni casserole with peas and a crispy cheesy topping
Melissa Goff

Nothing brings out nostalgia quite like a homey tuna casserole. And with just five ingredients, this recipe will be on repeat for easy dinners.

11 of 16

Catherine's Spicy Chicken Soup

Catherine's Spicy Chicken Soup
cookin'mama

Packed with tomatoes, from both canned soup and jarred salsa, this spicy dish is easy to customize with your favorite spices and toppings. Want to make it even easier? Use rotisserie chicken in place of the chicken thighs.

12 of 16

Grandma's Easy Shells

Grandma's Easy Shells
Caylin McLain

Three ingredients are all you need for this budget-friendly meal. "This is a great recipe when you're hungry but low on cash or ingredients!" says VeggiePunk.

13 of 16

Simple Mac and Cheese

Simple Mac and Cheese
jaela03

Macaroni and cheese is just one of the many dishes that cream of mushroom soup can improve. See the other 19 dishes by checking out our Recipes That Start With Cream of Mushroom Soup.

14 of 16

Gram's Ham Loaf

Gram's Ham Loaf
2leelou

Recipe creator Saylor Mom says, "Perfect way to use up leftover smoked ham after Christmas or Easter. Be sure to serve it with a generous amount of sauce."

15 of 16

Quick and Easy Tater Tot Casserole

Quick and Easy Tater Tot Casserole
Cindi Quarles

If you need a one-dish meal, then this casserole is here to save dinner. Crunchy tater tots, hearty ground beef, and creamy soups pair up for a decadent dish.

16 of 16

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti
Daniel P.

Recipe creator Debbie Clark says, "Here is an inexpensive and delicious meal made rich and zesty by tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup, green pepper, and cheese. You can use any kind of pasta and you can substitute ground chicken and turkey for beef."

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