Growing up, fall days meant football games on the TV, brisk walks around the lake, and family dinners around our wood dining room table. At the time, those dinners with our whole family sitting around the table felt so casual, so normal. Now that we are all out of the house, we see how special that time was together. Some of our best family memories were made around that high-top, rectangle table.

Around that table, we would laugh and we would cry and we would talk. We weren’t allowed to have our phones out, which at the time felt like such an absurd request. Now, I see it as one of the smartest decisions our parents made. It’s hard to have a real conversation that’s continually interrupted by a screen.

Our mom isn’t one to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. In fact, she would prefer to order in or go out to eat. It’s not because she’s a bad cook; she’s actually really amazing. She just doesn’t love to cook like some people do. She’s always loved making soups though. Just throw everything in, let it simmer, and wala! Dinner is served.

Soups were a staple in our home, especially during the fall season. There’s nothing like coming in from a crisp day and warming up from a bowl of soup.

As summer is slowly fading to fall, we’re excited to share some of our favorite soups that we will be making during this season. We hope you can enjoy them around your own table with family or friends, remembering that time with your loved ones is never wasted. Just remember – put your phone away. The people in front of you are really who are important.

Family Style Chili

This one is a really simple recipe. One of those throw-it-all-in-and-enjoy soups.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb. hamburger, browned
• 3 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 2-3 tsp. chili powder
• 2 large cans of diced tomatoes
• 2 cans of kidney beans

Directions:

Mix and let simmer. Enjoy! (We told you it was easy!)

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This one we found from Pinch of Yum. If you haven’t check her out yet, do it now! She’s based in Minnesota (holler!) and provides incredible & easy recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked wild rice
• 1 pound chicken breasts
• 2 cups mirepoix (chopped celery, carrots, and onions)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• a few tablespoons white wine (optional)
• up to 2 cups additional milk or water

Directions

1. Rinse the wild rice. Place the uncooked wild rice, raw chicken, mirepoix, chicken broth, and poultry seasoning in a crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and the rice should be soft. There will be extra liquid in the crockpot; do not drain.
2. Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and allow to cool slightly. Using two forks, shred the chicken. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
3. When rice and chicken are done cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and let the mixture bubble for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the whole milk until a thick, creamy mixture forms. Stir in the wine.
4. Add this to the rice and chicken in the crockpot and stir to combine. Add extra water or milk to adjust the consistency as you like it. Season with additional salt and pepper.

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients

• 6 chicken breasts
• 6 cans white northern beans
• 2  – 32 oz chicken broth 
• 2-3 packets white chicken chili mix

Directions

Put it all in the crockpot for 8 hours.

Or bake the chicken first in the oven 30 min @ 400 and then heat up the beans and broth in pot or crockpot while chicken is baking.

Hearty Hamburger Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. hamburger
• 4 cups water
• 1 can (14  1/2 oz) diced tomatoes
• 3 carrots
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tsp. beef bouillon granules
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 1 cup frozen green beans

Directions:

Brown hamburger; add water & oregano.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover & simmer for 15 minutes.

Add beans. Cover & simmer 15 minutes longer.

Add in rest of ingredients.