10 Simple Dishes You Can Make with a Can of Soup

Updated for 2023. These recipes primarily use cream of chicken soup, with a few that call for cream of mushroom or cream of celery.

Condensed cream soups are the foundation for hundreds of quick, satisfying recipes made from pantry staples and common ingredients.

A collage of recipes that have been made with cream of chicken soup.

🗝️ Key takeaways

Cream of chicken soup creates a creamy, comforting base with minimal prep.
Condensed cream soups work well as the base for sauces, casseroles, and soups.
Most casseroles that include a can of cream soup are made from simple pantry ingredients available to almost everyone.

With a can of cream of chicken soup and a few extra ingredients you can make hundreds of family-friendly meals. The options for quick dinners are practically endless.

Simple casseroles are ultimate comfort food: toss in vegetables, a protein, and a starch, stir in a can of creamy soup, bake, and in about 30 minutes you’ll have a satisfying meal.

Frito Casserole

This creamy Frito chicken casserole is an updated version of a recipe from a 1950s community cookbook. Cream cheese adds extra richness and a velvety texture.

Closeup of the pasta showing the gooey cheese sauce.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Combine cream of chicken soup, pasta, cheese, and crispy bacon for a comforting chicken bacon ranch casserole that’s cheesy and satisfying.

Monterey Chicken Casserole

This creamy, flavorful Monterey chicken casserole brings south-of-the-border flavors to the dinner table and is a family favorite.

Taco Spaghetti

Taco spaghetti is an easy one-pot casserole that comes together in about 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or back-to-school dinners.

A fork lifting a scoop of the casserole. Square image for feature image.

King Ranch Casserole

King Ranch casserole with Rotel is a time-saver for busy evenings and can be assembled ahead of time for convenience.

Chicken Spaghetti

Southern chicken spaghetti with Rotel is a classic comfort dish—gooey, creamy, and full of familiar flavors.

Closeup of salisbury steak covered in creamy gravy on a white plate.

Crock Pot Salisbury Steak

Old-fashioned Salisbury steak simmers in a creamy mushroom gravy in the slow cooker. This version uses cream of mushroom soup, though other cream soups can be substituted.

Chicken Empanadas

These easy chicken empanadas bake a creamy filling of cooked chicken and cream of chicken soup inside fluffy biscuits—great for tailgating or meals on the go.

Shepherd’s Pie

This shepherd’s pie is an excellent way to use leftover pot roast and turns leftovers into a hearty, comforting meal.

Casserole with a serving taken out showing the inside texture.

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy casserole combines beef, cheese, and corn in a creamy sauce and is finished with a Tater Tot topping for a comforting family meal.

Ranch chicken in the slow cooker waiting to be served.

Crockpot Creamy Ranch Chicken

Creamy ranch chicken is an all-in-one slow cooker meal: chicken breast, potatoes, and carrots simmer in a rich, flavorful sauce.

A serving of cordon bleu casserole in a bowl.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken cordon bleu casserole captures the flavors of the classic dish with a fraction of the effort, delivering an elegant-tasting weeknight meal.

Tongs holding serving of pasta over slow cooker.

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

Make gooey, cheesy chicken spaghetti in the crockpot with minimal effort—an easy take on a popular Southern favorite.

Closeup of a slow cooker filled with chicken and dumplings for feature image.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

This crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe requires very little prep and yields a comforting, hearty meal.

Overhead view of meatball stroganoff in a pan. This is the feature image.

30 Minute Meatball Stroganoff

This speedy meatball stroganoff uses frozen pre-cooked meatballs simmered in a creamy sauce for a quick, satisfying dinner.

Squash Casserole

This yellow squash casserole highlights fresh summer squash in a creamy sauce topped with a crunchy layer made from stuffing mix—simple and delicious.

Eggless breakfast hashbrown casserole being served.

Eggless Breakfast Casserole

This creamy eggless breakfast casserole features cheese, Ranch flavor, and cubes of salty ham for a hearty morning meal.

💭 Things to know

A can of condensed cream soup is an easy shortcut for a creamy sauce or gravy. For a beef-style gravy, stir a small amount of beef bouillon and a pinch of garlic powder into cream of mushroom soup to boost flavor.
For a quick open-faced sandwich, thin cream of chicken soup with a little milk and warm sliced deli turkey in the sauce, then serve over toasted bread.
Casseroles made with canned condensed soups usually freeze well; however, dishes made with homemade cream sauces may separate or become watery when frozen.
To thicken thin gravies, whisk in cream soup a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
If you’re out of cream of chicken, make a basic white sauce and add chicken-flavored bouillon to mimic the taste of the canned soup.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

What is a good substitute for cream of chicken soup?

An equal amount of sour cream can substitute for condensed soup to provide similar texture; you’ll need to add seasonings to replicate the soup’s flavor.

Can you use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken?

Yes—cream of mushroom, cream of asparagus, cream of celery, or other condensed cream soups can be used as substitutes depending on the flavor profile you want.

First published May 30, 2021. Last updated September 12, 2023, with additional recipes.