There’s nothing like the comfort of hot soup on a cold day, especially when you’re craving a satisfying meal. It’s easy to throw everything into a pot and let it simmer, making your home smell great in anticipation of a delicious treat. And, if you make large portions, you can freeze some for additional meals later. Finally, with the abundance of online recipes available, you can find healthier alternatives to many of the old standbys, changing up a few ingredients without sacrificing taste.

First, a word about the tools you’ll need to make a great hot soup. Sure, you can use any standard pot with a lid, but if you want to take it up a notch, try a Dutch oven. These ceramic workhorses distribute heat evenly and can be used on a stovetop and in the oven so they’re very versatile. You can also use a slow cooker. Simply load your ingredients in the morning and let it simmer all day on low. No fuss, little muss. Check out some of these recipes for inspiration.

While I could wax rhapsodic about the subject of soup all day long, neither of us has time for that. So I’ll end with this nugget.

I love chicken soup, with or without noodles or dumplings. I swear homemade chicken soup really does help make a sick child feel better. But sometimes I want something a little heartier than a broth-based soup. This Creamy Chicken Soup recipe sounds absolutely amazing. Plus, it looks easy to make, incorporating a store-bought rotisserie chicken, which you can find almost anywhere. (Confession: I had to look up what Herbs of Provence were and here‘s a good recipe to try to make your own.)

Now get cooking!