Festive Christmas Soup Recipes to Warm Your Holiday Table

Last Updated January 4th, 2026 at 09:29 am by Lisa

Warm, comforting, and easy to prepare, Christmas Soup is a perfect holiday recipe. It works equally well in a slow cooker or simmered on the stovetop for Christmas Day, holiday gatherings, or a cozy family meal. Serve it in large bowls or handled mugs and let everyone dip breadsticks, croutons, or crackers into this merry, cheesy soup.

Christmas Soup Recipe

This Christmas dinner soup is a versatile starter or a main course for a casual holiday morning. Place the ingredients in a crock pot or large soup pot and let it simmer while you enjoy the day. The whole family will love this comforting winter soup — a great option for parties or feeding a crowd.

You can customize the protein: chicken sausage, shredded chicken, crumbled sausage, or even leftover ham all work well. Below are the ingredients and clear instructions to make this festive, cheesy soup.

Christmas Soup Ingredients

• 28 ounces canned diced red tomatoes with the juice
• 10 ounces Rotel original tomatoes with green chilies (mild, not hot)
• 1 pound Velveeta cheese, cut into 1″ cubes
• 4 cups chicken stock (or chicken/vegetable/bone broth)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12–16 ounces holiday tri-color pasta (red/white/green, bowties, or any small pasta)
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Meat options: 2–3 small chicken breasts, 6–8 sliced sausages, 16 oz crumbled sausage, or 2 cups rotisserie chicken

Soup Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, combine the diced tomatoes and Rotel with their juices.
2. Add the chicken stock and the Velveeta cubes. Cook on high in the slow cooker for 1 hour. If using the stove, bring to low heat in a large soup pot and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
3. After 1 hour, reduce the slow cooker to low (or lower the heat on the stove). Whisk in the heavy cream and stir until smooth.
4. Add the chosen meat (defrosted meat is recommended). If desired, brown sausages or crumbled sausage in a skillet first for extra flavor, then add to the soup. Whole chicken breasts will shred after cooking for an hour—shred with two forks in the pot or slice on a plate and return to the soup.
5. Stir in the pasta and continue cooking about 45 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Avoid leaving pasta in the slow cooker for more than an hour to prevent it from becoming overly soft.
6. The pasta will thicken the soup after it cooks. If the soup becomes too thick, add additional chicken stock or water to reach the desired consistency.
7. Serve piping hot in bowls or handled mugs, garnished with ribbons of basil. Offer crackers, tortilla chips, warm bread, or croutons on the side.

Christmas Soup Top Serving Tips

What To Serve With Hot Soup

• Crusty bread
• Flavored crackers
• Soft breadsticks
• Parmesan cheese croutons
• Toasted baguette slices
• Dinner rolls or crostini
• Tortilla chips

How To Serve Soup Hot

Warm bowls and mugs: Heat serving bowls and mugs before ladling in the soup so it stays hot longer. Warm them in the oven on a low setting or microwave a small amount of water in the bowl first, then discard the water and serve.

Choose large holiday mugs or colorful bowls for a festive presentation. If serving buffet-style, keep bowls on an electric warming tray to maintain temperature throughout the gathering.

Stovetop method: Make the soup in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Stir often while the cheese melts, then reduce to low. Add cream and meat after the first hour, shred the chicken in the pot, and finish by cooking the pasta for about 45 minutes.

Leftovers: Store leftover soup in the refrigerator in a covered saucepan or container. Reheat over medium heat on the stove, or microwave individual bowls until warmed through. If the soup thickens after refrigeration, thin with a splash of stock or water while reheating.

Making Soup Ahead: Tips & Tricks

PRO TIP: If making ahead, do not add the pasta until about 45 minutes before serving. Pasta absorbs liquid and will turn the soup into a thick pasta dish if added too early. You can always thin the soup with extra chicken stock or water. Also, pasta becomes soggy if cooked longer than an hour.

Variations

This soup is highly adaptable. Use festive-shaped pasta for a fun Christmas Eve presentation—trees, stars, and gifts add a playful touch. Serve in holiday mugs for a warm, handheld option.

• Meat options: Add 2–3 small raw chicken breasts to cook in the soup, toss in diced cooked chicken, 6–8 thinly sliced browned sausages, 16 oz crumbled browned sausage, or 2 cups rotisserie chicken. Leftover ham also works well.
• Pasta options: Any small pasta works—spirals, bow ties, cheese tortellini, or gnocchi are all great choices.
• Vegetarian version: Skip the meat and add diced sweet potatoes, bell peppers, small potatoes, or your favorite vegetables for a hearty vegetarian soup.

More Hearty Soup Recipes

If you love this recipe, try other comforting soups like classic chicken noodle, creamy chicken gnocchi, jalapeño popper soup, famous cheese soup, or tomato soup with basil dumplings. These are all wonderful holiday or winter choices that pair well with warm bread and cozy gatherings.