The secret ingredient

ROAST CHICKEN PIE

Serves 6

Sauté 1 chopped onion, 350 g torn exotic mushrooms, 2 chopped leeks, 1 sliced apple and 3 sprigs thyme in a knob of butter. Shred the meat from 1 rotisserie chicken and mix with the vegetables. Place into a casserole dish. Mix 1 cup Woolworths chicken-and- mushroom soup, 1 cup cream and 1 cup cider and pour over. Top with Woolworths readymade puff pastry and bake at 180°C until golden brown and bubbling. Find our pie recipe collection here.

TOMATO MASCARPONE PASTA BAKE

Serves 6

Mix 1 x 600 g sachet Woolworths creamy tomato soup with 1 x 250 g tub mascarpone and toss through 500 g cooked fiorelle pasta. Pour into an ovenproof dish. Scatter over roast vine tomatoes, sliced sautéed chorizo, roast peppers and torn basil leaves. Top with torn buffalo mozzarella and bake until the cheese is golden brown. Find our pasta recipe collection here.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EXTRAS

A handful of fresh herbs, diced leftover meat from last night’s supper or a dash of cream are all you need to glam up a pre-made soup.

TOMATO SOUP

Add a poached free-range egg, a handful of basil and grated Parmesan for a more substantial meal.

CHICKEN SOUP

Bulk it up with with rinsed, canned chickpeas, thyme and crumbled feta.

VEGETABLE SOUP

Throw in a handful of chopped leafy greens for bright colour and fresh flavour. Leftover grains such as quinoa add bulk and texture.

SPINACH, BROCCOLI AND KALE SOUP

Add crisp-fried bacon, caramelised onions or grated mature Cheddar for a blast of flavour.

The secret to a great bowl of soup (even when it’s readymade) is to trust good old-fashioned methods, use only the best ingredients and a lot of care.

Find our soup recipe collection here.