11 Cozy Soups for a Healthy Cholesterol By Leah Goggins Leah Goggins Leah Goggins is a journalist and an editor at EatingWell. She assigns and edits all kinds of news content, from delicious grocery roundups to new studies in health and nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on March 2, 2022 Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is the senior nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Close Credit: Jacob Fox These cozy, comforting soups include ingredients like olive oil, legumes, winter squash and spinach that can help you lower your cholesterol. Plus, each recipe sticks to heart-healthy levels of sodium and saturated fat, which can lower your risk for heart disease, and is high in fiber, a nutrient that helps the body clear out excess cholesterol in your arteries. Whether you're looking for a light soup you can pair with a sandwich or something heartier for dinner, there's something for you in this mix. Recipes like our Red Lentil Soup with Saffron and White Bean Soup with Pasta are so tasty, you'll want to keep them in your regular rotation. Love any of these recipes? Tap "Save" to add them to MyRecipes, your new, free recipe box for EatingWell. 01 of 11 Red Lentil Soup with Saffron View Recipe Save Jacob Fox This hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice. 02 of 11 Winter Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup View Recipe Save Jacob Fox Our meatless version of the Indian-inspired British colonial soup includes parsnip and squash to keep it hearty and satisfying. 03 of 11 White Bean Soup with Pasta View Recipe Save Jacob Fox We use mirepoix—a combination of onion, celery and carrots—to flavor this soup. Keep a store-bought bag of the mixture in your freezer to ensure you always have some on hand without worrying about it going bad. 04 of 11 Persian-Style Butternut Squash Soup View Recipe Save Swap out your basic butternut squash soup for this fragrant version that includes sweet potato and a medley of spices like cinnamon, cumin, coriander and saffron. A drizzle of maple syrup and a few drops of orange water brighten the flavors, while a sprinkle of sumac adds a pop of color and a tangy edge. This healthy butternut squash soup would be a wonderful starter for your Thanksgiving meal. 05 of 11 Curried Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup View Recipe Save In this flavorful soup recipe, sweet potatoes simmer in a quick coconut curry, resulting in a creamy, thick broth punctuated by notes of garlic and ginger. We love peanuts for their inexpensive price and versatile flavor. They're also a great source of protein--1 ounce has 7 grams. 06 of 11 Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens View Recipe Save Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that's low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving. 07 of 11 Loaded Black Bean Nacho Soup View Recipe Save Jazz up a can of black bean soup with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, avocado and fresh tomatoes. A bit of smoked paprika adds a bold flavor kick, but you can swap in any warm spices you prefer, such as cumin or chili powder. Look for a soup that contains no more than 450 mg sodium per serving. 08 of 11 Vegetable Weight-Loss Soup View Recipe Save A big bowl of this veggie-packed minestrone will leave you satisfied for hours without consuming a lot of calories, which is helpful when trying to lose weight. Plus, it's an easy way to boost your vegetable servings for the day—something all of us could benefit from. Top with a dollop of pesto before devouring this delicious vegetable soup and consider serving with a hunk of toasted whole-wheat bread to help round out the meal. 09 of 11 Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto View Recipe Save This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients--boneless, skinless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach and canned beans. It features a simple homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end to add a fresh herb flavor. If you are very pressed for time, you can substitute 3 to 4 tablespoons of a store-bought basil pesto. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell. 10 of 11 White Bean Soup (Fassoulatha) View Recipe Save A simple, rich stew of white beans. Serve with Mediterranean Tuna Panini. 11 of 11 Vegetable and Tofu Soup View Recipe Save Tofu has a reputation for being bland, but when marinated in Italian seasoning for up to four hours, it's anything but in this veggie-packed soup. Explore more: Special Diets Cholesterol Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit