Canned Soups That Make Delicious Pasta Sauces

Have you ever stared into the abyss of your pantry, wondering what to make for dinner? Maybe the shelves are bare and the ingredients are sparse, or perhaps you have so many random ingredients you don't know how they could possibly come together into one cohesive meal. Don't let the urge to order takeout win — if you have a can of soup and some pasta, you've got dinner covered.

Pasta is the perfect dinner food. It's easy to make, the leftovers are always fantastic, and there's no need to stress about the sauce. Canned soup is extremely versatile. There are many ways to use it, and it takes very little effort to turn a can of soup into your next favorite pasta sauce. Already seasoned and the perfect texture for sauce, canned soup is just waiting to be transformed into a delicious sauce. While you can use it right outta the can, you can also make it extra sauce-friendly by adding your twists to improve the flavor and texture of the soup (like adding herbs or olive oil).

I've been developing recipes for nearly a decade as a recipe creator and food blogger. So, let's look at how canned soup might be the secret sauce weapon for home chefs needing some pasta inspiration.

Tomato soup comes in various flavors, from straightforward tomato to rich bisques, making it a super sauce swap when you're short on ingredients. Tomato soup makes a great sub for any pasta that calls for marinara but can be used as a base for any red sauce in a pinch. Marinara sauce usually consists of tomatoes, onions, some olive oil, and an assortment of herbs and spices. Tomato bisque has similar ingredients but a creamier texture (who knows, you might never go back to marinara!).

You can add some of your favorite fresh herbs, like basil, parsley, or oregano, to brighten up your plated pasta's flavor profile and final presentation. If your soup is on the watery side and you want to add body to your sauce, try mixing in cream cheese while heating the soup. And don't be afraid to think outside the box (in this case, the macaroni and cheese box). While tomato soup is a great dupe for your usual tomato sauce, you can also use it as the surprising upgrade to mac and cheese that you didn't know you needed. Who knew tomato soup could do so many things?

With its rich, earthy flavor and smooth, creamy texture, cream of mushroom soup is a popular addition to slow cooker recipes, casseroles, and even potatoes. It can easily be converted from soup to sauce for your next savory pasta dish or any pasta that could benefit from a little umami.

Cream of mushroom soup is available ready-to-use or condensed. When a soup is condensed, it means the excess liquid has been evaporated during cooking, reducing the soup to a concentrated stock. If you're starting with a condensed soup, you'll want to add some water (or chicken broth) to get a thinner, smoother, and more sauce-like consistency. To boost the flavor even more, try sautéing extra mushrooms and adding them to the sauce or mixing them into your pasta. You can use any mushrooms for this — they do not have to be the same as the soup. Branching out and using several types of mushrooms will only enhance the flavor and make a better sauce.  If you're looking for more protein and savory goodness, try a pancetta and mushroom skillet pasta dish that will wow the whole table.

If you've never had pumpkin pasta, you are missing out. Pumpkin soup can sauce your pasta with the best of them. It can be tricky to find (as it's usually a seasonal product), but you can have a similar experience with butternut squash soup, which is available year-round. Don't let the pumpkin and pasta pairing scare you. While it might sound a little weird at first, you can't beat pumpkin's mild, nutty flavor over your favorite noodles.

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, be sure to pick up some pumpkin bisque (it's only available during pumpkin season, so grab a few jars so you'll have it on hand for any pumpkin cravings throughout the year). Pumpkin is amazing on ravioli or tortellini. If you want to add more cheesy goodness to your meal, go with some grated gouda over your plated dish or melt it into your soup before saucing your pasta. With its smoky flavor and low melting point, gouda is a great pairing with pumpkin. Top with pine nuts, pecans, or pepitas. Prepare yourself for a divinely delicious dinner experience.

Shrimp scampi on the menu? Go all in with the ocean theme by using clam chowder or lobster bisque for a creamy seafood sauce. No shrimp, no problem. These soups can dress any noodles for a seafood experience you won't forget, turning your plain old noodles into an oceanfront experience. The beautiful pale orange color of lobster bisque will also add to your pasta experience.

The only thing better than seafood pasta is seafood pasta with extra cheese (am I right?). If you're new to the seafood pasta game, choose your cheeses wisely. You don't want to pick a cheese that will be overbearing and hide that delicious seafood flavor. If you're using lobster bisque, go for a mild cheese, like Gruyère (commonly used in lobster mac and cheese). You can be bolder with a clam chowder sauce, so opt for your favorite cheddar. If you've ever had cheesy clam chowder, you know how delicious this combo can be. Opt for noodles with a wide surface area or places to "catch" the sauce, like bowtie pasta or rotini.

Cheddar cheese soup is comfort in a can. Rich and cheesy in flavor with a thick, silky texture, cheddar cheese soup is just begging to coat your pasta pile in cheesy goodness. No need to worry about messing this one up — you cannot go wrong with noodles and cheese (hello, macaroni and cheese!). You can use this soup with any noodles, from spaghetti to stuffed shells. It would even make a tasty topping for manicotti. Is there such a thing as too much cheese? We think not.

You can heat a can of this liquid gold, pour it over the pasta of your choice, and call it a success. Or, you can get creative and fancify your can of soup by adding fresh herbs, like chives, basil, or thyme. This is also a good time to add any veggies you might desire. Have some extra broccoli in the freezer or carrots that need to be used? Sautee them with a little garlic and olive oil and toss them in your soup. If you want more bang for your buck, you can even add more cheese to your cheese. Adding cheese to your soup will make it thicker and level up the flavor even more.

Cream of chicken is a popular canned soup choice, and odds are good you have a can or two in your pantry. Cream of chicken makes for a quick pasta sauce in a pinch, especially if you want a wholesome, hearty meal. Well-seasoned with onions, garlic, and celery, it manages to satisfy tastebuds while also maintaining a pretty neutral profile (this is why it's been a popular casserole ingredient  for years). Cream of chicken soup can work with lots of pasta types and a variety of recipes. 

Double down on the chicken by adding some store-bought rotisserie chicken to your pasta for a meal loaded with protein that doesn't require a lot of time and energy to put together. Cream of chicken is also a good option if you want to add extra veggies. Roast or sauté onions, celery, or carrots and add them to the sauce. Whether you're serving up ravioli, tortellini, or stuffed pasta shells, cream of chicken soup can be the final touch that brings it all together and makes it taste like home.

Broccoli cheese soup is a restaurant staple. With its salty, cheesy base, broccoli cheese soup can add flavor and some greens to your favorite pasta dish when you use it as a sauce replacement. Add your broccoli cheese soup to a pasta packed with veggies (like a broccoli and cheese penne), and top it with some shredded cheddar cheese for extra goodness. If you have some broccoli around the house, fresh or frozen, toss it in the soup to add a little texture and extra veggie power.

If you start with a can of condensed broccoli cheese soup, use chicken broth to thin it out and add some umami (vegetable broth is a nice option if you're vegetarian). Have leftover meat in the fridge? Add it for a protein boost. If you're short on leftovers, consider making some bacon and crumbling it over the top of your pasta. And don't forget the extra cheese! A little grated cheddar cheese goes a long way. Cover the final dish with grated cheddar and pop it under the broiler until the cheese starts to brown for the perfect cheesy topping. You can even crumble some crackers over the top for a crunchy texture reminiscent of the popular restaurant soup.

Pair your favorite noodles with the decadent flavors of French onion soup for a delightful and unexpected comfort food. French onion soup combines sweet, savory, and salty flavors with a mixture of textures (silky broth, melted cheese, and a big crispy crouton) for a delightful culinary experience. The sweetness comes from the caramelized onions in the recipe, and the savory umami stems from the beef broth. Add some melted cheese (Gruyère being the classic choice) for a mild, salty flair.

French onion pasta has been having a moment on TikTok. People love the ease of making the whole dish in one pan to save time (not to mention dish duty). You can use any pasta noodles for your French onion pasta meal. Your pasta will provide plenty of carbs, and you can forego the croutons entirely or toast them with some Gruyère on top and serve them on the side. They're the perfect vehicle for soaking up all that sauce.

Looking for a sauce that is creamy, smooth, and loaded with veggies? Try making your next pasta sauce with cream of spinach soup. Cream of spinach soup adds color and some nutritional elements to your pasta (spinach is loaded with vitamins and nutrients). Add extra spinach to the soup as you heat it up to make it feel homemade. Garlic and basil would also make a great addition to your cream of spinach soup. If you have time, sauté the garlic with olive oil before tossing it into the sauce.

Your cream of spinach sauce will go well with ravioli or tortellini. It will also be a good fit for any flat noodles. Flat noodles have lots of space for the sauce to adhere to. If you want to go bigger on the veg, cherry tomatoes or roasted zucchini would be the perfect addition (chef's kiss to the spinach and tomato combo; it can't be beaten). You can also turn your cream of spinach sauce into a chicken spinach pasta bake for extra protein. This is a hearty and filling meal that won't leave you hungry.

A hearty bowl of beef stew or vegetable beef soup will warm you up and fill your belly. Take it from a side dish to a full meal by adding your favorite pasta noodles to the soup. You can even cook the noodles in the soup, making this one-pot meal a winner when it's time for an easy dinner. Be sure to use plenty of noodles so your final meal looks like pasta with beef and veggies, not soup with a few noodles.

You can use the stew or soup as-is or thicken it, which is pretty easy and can be accomplished in several ways. Add a thickening agent, like flour or cornstarch, to your broth or something creamy, like yogurt. If you're adding yogurt, don't forget to let the soup cool a bit first. Adding a dairy product to a high temperature will make it curdle. Another option for thicker sauce is to simply let it simmer for a while longer.

Cream of asparagus soup brings a smooth, velvety texture and the garden fresh flavor of asparagus together into one delightful creation. It's the surprisingly perfect sauce for your next veggie pasta. Cream of asparagus soup is generally lightly seasoned. Taste it before you make your sauce to determine if you want to add any fresh herbs or spices.

Grab some penne or bowtie pasta and pull it all together with fresh veggies. If you have a home garden harvest, now is the time to put those veggies to work. Seasonal veggies are always the best choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, you can reach for mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, leeks, zucchini, and corn. And don't forget the fresh asparagus! If you have the time, grill your veggies first for a beautiful char and smoky flavor. Toss everything together with the sauce and season with a squeeze of lime and fresh herbs. Go for some parmesan if you want to add cheese to this delightful dish. You can stir it into the sauce or sprinkle it over the top — or both. This pasta would work well hot or served cold.