Delicious Ways To Use Canned Soup You've Never Thought Of
Sure, canned soups can be enjoyed all by themselves as a simple, all-in-one meal, but they are quite versatile. From cake to pie to ramen, there are plenty of delicious ways to use canned soup you've probably never thought of. Not only do canned soups add rich flavors to various recipes, but they also help speed up preparation, leading to tasty meals in less time and with less effort. So, stop limiting your canned soups and unlock their full cooking potential.
To come up with the following list of creative canned soup recipes, we referenced Campbell's Soup recipes and other chef recommendations from across the web. I've also made several of these recipes and love substituting creamed soups to make preparing dishes quicker and easier, so my personal experimentation in the kitchen helped me, too. Keep reading to learn about the delicious ways to use canned soup you've never thought of. Once you give them a try, they'll be hard to forget.
Scalloped potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are known for being extra cheesy and super creamy, at least when made correctly. One way to ensure you get the ideal consistency is to use cream and thickening agents, like cream cheese or sour cream. However, you can also use a can of creamy soup to get the same results. In addition, you can easily substitute a can of cheddar cheese soup for the bechamel ingredients, resulting in the quickest, easiest version possible.
Once baked, creamed soups and potatoes create the perfect blend of soft ingredients and creamy goodness. Whether you strictly use canned soups or go half and half with traditional ingredients, they lead to the creamiest and easiest scalloped potatoes. So, what do you have to lose? The great thing about scalloped potatoes is that they are super versatile. You can use just about any kind of creamy canned soup you think would taste good to make them even better. Cream of celery, chicken, mushroom, onion, or potato all make delectable additions. For a flavored recipe, like spinach artichoke scalloped potatoes, cream of onion, asparagus, broccoli, and broccoli cheese soups would also taste amazing. So, while you may not have thought of these easy hacks before, they are indeed a winning combination in scalloped potatoes.
Pot pie
Making pot pies with a can of creamed soup is a no-brainer. In fact, you may have heard of this simple trick before. It is so convenient and easy that many recipes already call for it. When using a classic pot pie recipe, you'll typically need to make a thick roux with butter, flour, stock, and cream. While this is delicious, it is also labor-intensive and takes a considerable amount of time. Save yourself from all the extra steps by simply substituting a can of creamed soup. It's just that easy. Honestly, once you see the perfect creamy results, you may never go back.
Similar to scalloped potatoes, pot pies are quite versatile. You can put just about anything you have leftover in the kitchen inside of them. As a result, the type of soup you use should vary based on what your pie is filled with. If you are making a classic veggie or chicken pot pie, cream of celery is perfect. For a beef pot pie, look no further than cream of mushroom. Cream of chicken, mushroom, onion, and potato also make excellent choices in almost any type of pot pie. If you prefer a cheesy pot pie, broccoli cheese soup is beyond delicious.
Ramen
Ramen is another dish you've almost certainly tried before but never thought about making with canned soup. Although, now that you know it can be done, you may never make ramen without a can of soup again. That's because adding creamed soups to ramen leads to instantly richer broth and a ton of flavor throughout. It also adds a wonderful creaminess to the broth, which is common in some authentic Japanese restaurants.
To execute this combination to perfection, you have two choices. You can dilute a condensed can of creamed soup and use it instead of the primary broth. Or, you can add a can of soup to the regular broth and get the best of both worlds. Regardless of the flavor of ramen you prepare, there is a delicious canned soup that will make it even better. Chicken ramen tastes amazing with a can of cream of chicken or onion soup. Beef and pork ramen taste amazing with cream of mushroom, onion, or even tomato soup. Ramen with chili or soy broth easily pairs with any kind of creamy canned soup or tomato soup. Whether you prefer instant ramen or a more gourmet version with fresh veggies and meat, you definitely want to try this canned soup hack for richer ramen.
Tomato soup spice cupcakes
Campbell's tomato soup spice cupcakes are by far the most unique canned soup recipe we've ever encountered. But considering it comes from the undisputed champions of canned soup, Campbell's, there must be something to it, right? The answer is overwhelmingly yes. You may have tried spice cake before, but adding a can of tomato soup to the batter ensures an unbelievably moist texture every time. The flavors of canned tomato soup also balance the cupcakes' sweetness while simultaneously complimenting the cinnamon, cloves, and allspice found in the traditional recipe. The result is drool-worthy cupcakes and a moist, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that will blow your mind.
When you first hear about tomato soup spice cupcakes, you may immediately think they aren't for you. After all, tomato soup and cake don't sound like a winning combination. In fact, they may even sound a bit gross at face value. Even so, you'd be wise to give this unexpected recipe a try. It may seem strange, but trust us, it's unique in all the right ways.
Enchiladas and burritos
Canned soup may not be a conventional ingredient when making Mexican food, but mixing the two leads to astonishingly delicious results. Canned soups lend a rich taste to both burritos and enchiladas. They also turn dry ingredients into creamy delights. So much so that you probably won't need nearly as much salsa. Of course, hot sauce is still recommended if you like spicy foods. With the addition of creamed soup, smothered burritos and enchiladas become tasty, bubbly creations in the oven. A can of cheddar cheese soup can also be used just like you would use queso.
When making chicken enchiladas, you can easily mix a can of condensed cream of mushroom or chicken soup into the filling mixture instead of sour cream. Canned tomato soup also makes a fantastic choice, but you'll most likely still want to add a bit of crema or sour cream. The same goes for burritos. Cheddar cheese soup is also tasty when used to smother a burrito. Simply heat it up, just like you would with nacho cheese, and pour it over the top of your burrito.
Macaroni and cheese
Essentially, there are two ways to make macaroni and cheese that both home and professional chefs swear by. The first is to create a creamy bechamel sauce and mix it into cooked noodles. After That, it goes under a broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up the top. The second method is to bake macaroni and cheese. Either technique turns into a heavenly dish. Whichever way you prefer to make macaroni and cheese, canned soup can help.
Of course, canned cheddar cheese soup is the obvious choice. It is creamy, gooey, and cheesy, just like macaroni and cheese should be. Best Of all, the consistency is ideal for mixing into noodles, whether you bake it after or not. If you want to stray from a basic macaroni and cheese recipe, cream of chicken, onion, and French onion soup also tastes exceptionally delicious when mixed into the cheese sauce. They enhance flavor in a way that ordinary seasonings simply won't achieve. When adding a can of soup to your blend of noodles and cheese, make sure to cut back a bit on the amount of milk you use. The cream in the soup serves the same purpose, so minimizing milk ensures you don't end up with watery macaroni and cheese.
Scrambled eggs
For perfect scrambled eggs, all you need is butter and eggs. However, some people like to add a little bit of milk as well to ensure they don't become overly dry. If softer, juicier eggs are your thing, you definitely want to try adding a bit of creamed soup to the pan instead of milk. When making eggs for one, a few spoonfuls of canned soup guarantees your scrambled eggs will turn out moist and, above all, delicious. They add a touch of gourmet flavor without all the hassle of chopping and measuring additional ingredients. Plus, canned soups save well, so you can continue to use the same can for a couple of days.
The most drool-worthy canned soups for scrambled eggs include cream of spinach, potato, onion, asparagus, and tomato. Each flavor transforms scrambled eggs into a gourmet creation in a matter of moments. Broccoli cheese and cheddar cheese canned soups also make fantastic choices. You've probably sprinkled cheese on top of scrambled eggs before, and this is basically the same idea. However, mixing the cheese into the eggs as you scramble them ensures you get a gooey burst of flavor in each and every bite.
Pasta and risotto
Whether making alfredo sauce, creamy pesto, or a cheesy mix for lasagna, canned soups are just the thing you need to take your Italian cooking to new heights. Not only do creamy canned soups help you instantly achieve the perfect thick texture for a hearty sauce, but they seamlessly blend a balance of flavor throughout the sauce without a ton of mixing or preparation of any kind. Canned soups also offer a touch of salt to enhance the taste of noodles. So, if you forgot to salt the pasta water, they could save the day in more ways than one.
Creamed vegetable soups go well with just about any pasta dish you happen to be making. From asparagus to broccoli to onion to mushroom, they all taste scrumptious with pasta. One of the best ways to use creamed soup is with a fettuccine alfredo recipe. It adds unparalleled creaminess and drool-worthy flavor while ensuring the perfect thickened texture. Simply cut your alfredo sauce ingredients by half and add a can of creamed soup instead. It is that easy. To make a creamy pesto sauce, simply heat a creamy canned soup and add a few spoonfuls of pesto sauce, and viola; it's ready to use on pasta. Tomato soup also works really well as one of the ingredients you layer a lasagna with. All you have to do is substitute it for marinara between the layers of noodles.
Pizza
For some people, any kind of sauce other than marinara is sacrilege on pizza. While we see their point, we don't think there is anything wrong with experimenting with a classic recipe, pizza included. If you aren't ready to stray from a tomato-based sauce, a can of tomato soup can be used in much the same way. Best of all, it prevents the crust from drying out while it is in the oven. However, to avoid sogginess and still get a crisp bottom layer, don't add any more than you typically would with marinara.
If you aren't scared of different kinds of pizza sauce, like white sauce or something even more creative, canned soups open up a world of possibilities. Cream of chicken, mushroom, onion, French onion, broccoli, asparagus, or even cheddar cheese soup all make for an unbelievably tasty base layer on pizza. The various flavors also expand options for toppings almost limitlessly.
Hash brown casserole
Hash brown casserole is a classic comfort food beloved in the Midwest and beyond. Aside from being delicious, one of the reasons it is so well-liked is that it is a catch-all for just about any flavor or ingredient you want. In addition, hash brown casserole is the perfect dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. No matter the time of day, you can effortlessly mix one up, throw it in the oven, and enjoy a hot dish quickly and easily.
When it comes to ingredients, as long as hash browns are incorporated, just about anything goes. However, to ensure it doesn't dry out or become too crispy, you must add milk or some other creamy element, such as sour cream. Or, better yet, a can of creamy soup, which is common in green bean casserole. Creamed soups help a hash brown casserole form the perfect scoopable, juicy consistency. They also help streamline preparation, so making them is nearly effortless. Some of the best cans of soup for the base of a hash brown casserole include cream of chicken, mushroom, onion, broccoli, asparagus, and cheddar cheese. Cream of potato soup also works, but it won't add a ton of extra flavor.
Curry
Curry, a mouth-watering Thai dish, is sweet, spicy, and comforting all at once. Its unique sauce and fresh ingredients burst with flavor, but many people don't attempt to make Thai curry at home because it seems overly complicated. If you are one of these people, you are in luck because canned soup is an effortless hack for making quick curry at home. All you really need is about ¾ cup of coconut milk, a can of creamed soup, the veggies and protein of your choice, curry paste or powder, and a touch of olive oil.
Curry is made with either rice or noodles. What changes are the protein and veggies. Regardless of how you build your curry, the sauce is the same. Depending on your ingredients, cream of mushroom, asparagus, onion, or broccoli will most likely work best in a curry dish. The light vegetable taste perfectly compliments the flavor of curry, whether it is green, yellow, or red.
Crispy baked veggie bites
Battered and fried vegetables are nothing new. Japanese-style veggie tempura is a favorite of vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Fried mushrooms and jalapeños are also quite popular. While all of these versions are super tasty, they aren't particularly healthy because they are fried. Fortunately, you can easily work around this dilemma by baking your veggies instead. As opposed to using a traditional batter, you can also substitute a can of creamed soup for the egg and milk. You'll still want to use some bread crumbs on top, but creamy soup helps them stick much better than traditional batter.
To make crispy baked veggie bites, select a few veggies and a creamed soup. Cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, and sliced carrots are fantastic veggie options, and cream of mushroom, broccoli, and asparagus make good soup choices. Then, coat the veggies with a creamy soup and some seasonings, like garlic, salt, and pepper. Next, place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle bread crumbs over the top, and bake until crispy. The cooking time will vary based on the size of the veggies, but you'll be amazed at how simple these are to make. Even so, they look quite impressive and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a crunchy side dish.
Honey BBQ sauce
You probably would have never guessed that a can of soup can serve as the base for honey BBQ sauce, but we are here to tell you it does. Ok, we know this one is a bit of a stretch, but its unusual configuration is part of what gives it its appeal. You may be a sauce purist when it comes to BBQ, but you never know; maybe a can of soup will change your mind.
Making this unique honey BBQ sauce is surprisingly easy, thanks to the soup giving you a massive head start. Start by heating a can of French onion soup in a small saucepan. Then, add some signature spices, like black pepper and garlic, ⅓ cup honey, and ¾ cup ketchup. Heat the mixture on medium-high until it starts to boil, and then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about five minutes. To finish up, remove it from the heat and slather it on any dish you like. It tastes incredible on anything from ribs to burgers to wings to chicken breast to brisket.