Pasta e Fagioli Soup

This hearty Pasta e Fagioli soup made with pancetta, beans, pasta and vegetables is perfect for chilly winter nights!

Although we've had some unseasonably warm weather the past couple of weeks, I'm smart enough to know that winter isn't over just yet. I mean, I live in Michigan! The weather changes every few hours it seems like. And sure enough, after enjoying some springlike weather where I pulled out my flip flops and had my windows open, it's back to being cold. Not just cold, but windy too, which makes it worse. To me there's nothing better than a pot of hearty and comforting soup on days like this, and this Pasta e Fagioli is one of my favorites.

Chicken Noodle Soup

On a cold winter night there's nothing more comforting than a bowl of hearty Chicken Noodle Soup. 

This recipe is quick and easy to make, meaning you won't bother buying the canned stuff anymore!

We are definitely in the thick of winter here in Michigan. Other than a couple of near 40 degree days, it's been pretty darn cold. We've had some snow, some rain, and most recently freezing rain. Sounds fun, right? When the weather is like this, I hibernate inside and do my favorite thing - I cook and bake. What's better than warming up the house with the heat from the oven, and making it smell good too?

Top 10 Favorite Recipes of 2016!

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve! Can you believe that 2016 is almost over? Really and truly, it seemed to flash by in the blink of an eye for me. With that being said, I'm really excited for 2017 and all that it will bring!

First off, I just want to say how much I appreciate you being here. Thank you for taking the time to read this little ole' blog of mine. Thank you for trying my recipes and sharing your feedback. Thank you for sharing your lives with me, and allowing me to share mine with you. I wouldn't be where I am today without your support and encouragement!

Seafood Bisque

Rich, creamy, hearty and delicious, this Seafood Bisque is elegant enough for celebrations but also casual enough 

for a family meal. It's easy to make and can be on the table in about 30 minutes!

It's finally really and truly starting to feel like fall here. The leaves have fallen off the trees and the temperature has started to drop. Mornings have been quite cool, a few of them there was even frost on the grass, but the afternoons still have been sunny and around 50 degrees. I can't complain too much! This type of weather has me clamoring for soup, especially after coming in from raking leaves and doing other outdoor work. There's no better way to take the chill off than enjoying a hot bowl of soup.

Cheddar Beer Soup

This super rich and hearty soup is filled with lots of sharp cheddar cheese, milk, and of course, beer! 

It's creamy and delicious and so simple to make, perfect for a fall meal.

It's soup season. Although we've had some warm days here in Michigan lately, I've been all about making soups and chili. It's one of my favorite things about fall! It's what I call comfort food season, and this is just the beginning. There's just nothing quite like watching football with a bowl of soup in hand, or coming inside from raking leaves and doing yard work to the smells of said soup on the stove. The aroma is intoxicating. 

Sopa de Lima #SoupSwapParty

This lime, chicken, and tortilla soup is the perfect meal on a cool Fall evening!

Now that Fall is officially here, I'm breaking out my slow cooker, casserole dishes, and Dutch oven to start making my favorite comfort foods. It's not quite time for all the heavy stuff, but I am really excited to make soups and chili galore. It's football season after all, and this is just the type of food my family and I love to eat on game days.

With my mind on Fall, I'm super excited to help launch the new cookbook Soup Swap: Comforting Recipes to Make and Share by Kathy Gunst, Resident Chef for NPR’s “Here and Now," with bloggers across the country. We are having a #SoupSwapParty hosted by The Book Club Cookbook, and sharing some of the delicious recipes from the book with our readers!

Easy Gazpacho

Take full advantage of the seasons bounty by making this delicious and healthy Gazpacho soup. It's the simplest 

recipe you'll ever make. Packed with flavor and full of vitamins and nutrients, it's like summer in a bowl.

Strolling through my local farmers market there are so many gorgeous fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from this time of year. Sometimes I just find myself standing there in awe, staring at the colorful array of produce just begging for me to bring it home. Anyone else feel that way this time of year? This is just one reason why I love summer so much.

After a recent trip to the market, and going a little bit crazy with my purchases, I found myself with an abundance of veggies. I tossed around several ideas of what to make, and came to the conclusion that Gazpacho soup was what I needed. It is full of flavor, so light and refreshing, and packed with vitamins and nutrients. Bathing suit friendly? YES!

Minestrone Soup with Kale

Loaded with vegetables, herbs, and crispy pancetta, this flavorful and delicious minestrone 

soup is homemade comfort food at its best!

I love soup, especially during the winter. There isn't anything quite as comforting as a big bowl of hot soup on a cold day. We've had plenty of those cold days lately, so there have been many pots of soup on my stove. Homemade soup is easy to make and most recipes can be ready quickly, so it's a great choice for busy weeknights.

This super flavorful minestrone is packed with fresh veggies, canned tomatoes, crispy pancetta, and herbs. Pair it with your favorite grilled cheese sandwich for an easy dinner that the whole family will love, especially the kids!

Sweet Potato & Crab Chowder

Sweet potatoes are the star of this simple dish, and the crab adds a rich, delicious flavor. 

It hits the spot and warms you up on a cold day. Plus, it's budget friendly!

I love a big bowl of hot soup this time of year. Nothing warms me up on a cold day quite like it. Living in Michigan, we have a few cold days during the winter (HA!), so I make soups, stews and chilies quite often. Sometimes I use the slow cooker, other times I just make it on the stove. One thing is for sure though, these meals are typically easy to make, they feed a crowd, and they can be budget friendly!

This Sweet Potato & Crab Chowder is ready in less than 30 minutes, cost around $10 to make, and feeds a family of four! How awesome is that?! It can easily be made on a weeknight when you get home from work, and it's perfect to serve on a cold night. Add some rolls or biscuits to go alongside the chowder and voila! Dinner is served.

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup with Parmesan Crisps

For comfort in a bowl, dish up some Spicy Butternut Squash Soup with Parmesan Crisps! 

Made with fresh ginger, cayenne pepper, and fresh thyme, it's warm, comforting and hearty!

This post is sponsored by Acorn Influence, however, all opinions, as always, are my own. #TheHolidayBox

Fall is here and winter is right around the corner, which means it's about to get really cold here in Michigan. In fact, this coming weekend we are supposed to get a few inches of snow. {UGH, say it isn't so!!} Although I'm not ready for it, I guess I have no choice in the matter. I've been making warm comfort food the past couple of weeks in preparation for this cold season, and soup has been on the menu quite often. To me, there isn't anything more satisfying on a chilly day than a big bowl of hot soup.

I recently was sent a Holiday Box from Acorn Influence and boy was I thrilled when I received it! There were so many fun things for a foodie like me to experiment with, and the first thing I took for a spin was a beautiful Nutri Ninja® with Auto-iQ™. I've always wanted a Ninja, so it was like Christmas for me to get one! If you are looking for one too, they are available at Walmart and Walmart.com. From smoothies to juices to soups and dips, the Nutri Ninja is extremely versatile. Of course since I've been a soup mood, the very first thing I decided to make was soup!

Sweet Potato and Apple Soup

This smooth and silky sweet potato and apple soup makes a warm and comforting meal!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

#RecipeTwist #CollectiveBias

I eat soup pretty much all year round, but I absolutely love it in the fall and winter. There is nothing better than making a pot of homemade soup and the aromas it fills the house with. From French onion to creamy tomato to cheesy broccoli, I've cooked a lot of soups over the years, and I certainly have my favorites.

I've had butternut squash and apple soup before in a restaurant, but never made it at home. I decided to give it a try recently and make my own, but I gave my recipe a twist by using sweet potatoes instead of squash. I love sweet potatoes and thought they would be a perfect pairing with fresh apple and some nutmeg, and boy was I right! The soup is absolutely delicious and was quickly devoured by my entire family.

Spring Minestrone Soup

Packed with Spring veggies, beans, and pasta, this soup makes a great weeknight meal. 

Although the weather is getting warmer and everyone is firing up their grills, my mind has been thinking about soup. In my opinion, no matter what the weather, there isn't much that a big bowl of homemade soup doesn't cure. Got a cold? Have some soup. Have a bad breakup? Have some soup. Just need a quick weeknight meal? Soup is the answer!

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Just five ingredients and thirty minutes of time and you've got a warm, delicious meal for your family!

Growing up, tomato soup and grilled cheese was one of my favorite meals. I mean, what kid doesn't love that? I can remember dunking my sandwich into my soup, and I still do that today.

This creamy tomato basil soup is my take on the classic soup in a can, but kicked up a notch. It's smooth and creamy and the flavor from the basil is a perfect balance. Not too much, not too little. 

French Onion Soup

Rich and flavorful French onion soup topped with crusty bread and nutty Gruyere cheese is the ultimate comfort food!

I've been in a soup mood lately. With the cooler weather, I just can't seem to get enough of it! I've been making a lot of homemade recipes, some that are classic oldies and others that are brand new. This French Onion Soup is one of those new ones. It's funny, I've never made it before at home, but it's probably one of my favorite soups!

Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Warm, cheesy, delicious broccoli cheddar soup is comfort food at its best!

Fall has arrived here in Michigan. The days are cooler, the leaves on the trees are changing colors and falling, and it's been raining quite a bit. This is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about Fall, from the seasonal changes to watching football to Halloween, and everything in between. Fall is definitely my favorite season.

Once the cooler temps hit, I'm all about making my favorite comfort foods. Whether it's a big pot of chili or a chicken pot pie, those warm foods really hit the spot. My family loves having a traditional meal of soup and grilled cheese too, which has always been one of my childhood favorites.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Sourdough Parmesan Croutons

I love all kinds of soups but find that I rarely make them homemade. I have a few favorite recipes that I created long ago that I make often, but other than those few I don't venture out to try new things at home.

A few weeks ago I got a beautiful head of cauliflower in my weekly organics delivery box. (I use Door to Door Organics here in Michigan and I LOVE it!) I rarely cook with cauliflower and honestly I wasn't quite sure what I was going to make at first.