Most foodies agree that canned soup on its own simply doesn't compare to homemade recipes that simmer on the stove for hours. But what they also know is that these pantry staples are excellent ingredients for dishes that are more sophisticated than heating up a can of soup but still super easy to make. Take a look at the best canned soup recipes that have earned our stamp of approval.

What is the best canned soup to buy?

There are so many varieties of canned soup that it's impossible to list them all. If you want to stock up your supply of recipe-ready canned soup, we recommend these, which can be used in a variety of different dishes:

Chicken broth	Cream of chicken	Bisque
Tomato	Lentil	Cream of mushroom
Mixed vegetable	Vegetable broth	Broccoli and cheese
Noodle	Cream of celery	Potato
Onion	Pea	Beef consomme

What are the best canned soups for weight loss?

If you're trying to lose weight, avoid canned soup with a cream base, like cream of chicken and cream of mushroom. Because they contain so much dairy, they're usually higher in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories than canned soup with vegetable- or animal-based broth, so they may stall weight-loss efforts.

Is canned soup bad for you, and which canned soup is the healthiest?

Canned soup can be very nutritious if you're a mindful shopper. The healthiest canned soups have vegetable or animal broth rather than a dairy base. Whether you opt for broth- or cream-based varieties, though, look for versions that are low in sodium and that have primarily vegetables, meat, and spices in their ingredients lists rather than preservatives.

Are there canned soups that are vegan?

There are plenty of great canned soup options for vegans. Be sure to look carefully at ingredients labels for options that use vegetable bases rather than meat or dairy. Many brands even note that they're vegan on the front of the can so you don't have to peruse every ingredient.

Top 10 Canned Soup Recipes

If you've never been a fan of the canned stuff, these easy canned soup recipes will make a believer out of you. To make cooking even simpler, you can swap fresh ingredients for canned meat and canned vegetables.

Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Braid: For a fun twist on pot pie, wrap up your ingredients in crescent roll dough.	White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes: This creamy dish tastes like it took all day to make, but only needs about an hour.
Quinoa Broccoli Casserole: Even folks who aren't fans of broccoli will request seconds of this easy casserole.	Broccoli Cheez-It Soufflé: This quick meal is part gooey, part crunchy, and completely delicious.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Green Bean Bake: This recipe couldn't be simpler, and it has all of your favorite Thanksgiving flavors.	French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups: Deli meat and beef consomme elevate this dish into a truly delicious crowd pleaser.
So Easy Sloppy Joe Pizza: Forget grilled cheese -- tomato soup is great for making your favorite pizza!	Waffle Fry Pot Pie: If you're looking for a creative way to use up frozen or leftover waffle fries, look no further than this dish.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Recipe: This is just about the ultimate comfort food and is so easy to put together, you'll want to make it every week.	Tomato Soup Spice Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting: You'll never look at tomato soup the same after making this. Use canned frosting to cut down on prep time.