8 hearty soups to keep you warm this winter

Leeks are the mild alternative to onions but don't have the same harsh taste. Most wouldn't exactly call a pure onion soup delicious, but seasonal caramelized leeks in a creamy soup base are to die for. A combination of simmering spices gets this soup ready for the main event: a maple bacon topping. Recipe: www.howsweeteats.com

A nice creamy soup is everyone's favourite guilty pleasure, right? This recipe goes straight for the heart (which is obviously in the stomach) and substitutes most of the cream and milk with Brie cheese. Roasted mushrooms and garlic, white wine, and a dash of salt and pepper will have this dish on your dinner table in less than an hour. Recipe: www.closetcooking.com

Culinary influences from Southeast Asia are everywhere this year, and while this region generally doesn't experience the same chilly weather we do, it's home to some seriously good soups. This spicy Thai soup comes in many forms and names depending on the ingredients you add. It's really just a spicy broth with an assortment of scattered vegetables, and the selection to include is all yours. You can start with vegetables like carrots, ginger, garlic, corn, zucchini, and onion. Recipe: www.chatelaine.com

Potato soups are some of the heartiest, and this twist on a summer barbecue favourite is irresistible. The heaping cups of butter, milk, cheese, and bacon included are what the extra layers are for, right? This delicious version of thinned-out mashed potatoes can be topped with any of your "loaded" favourites—try extra jalapeño peppers or hot sauce for some extra kick. Recipe: www.thewickednoodle.com

This soup is so hearty it's almost a solid. With all the makings of a great Italian dish—garlic, basil, oregano, noodles, meat, cheese, and bread—the end result is a flavourful, brothy bowl with a thick, deliciously melty string of mozzarella on every heaping spoonful. Recipe: www.ohsweetbasil.com

If you missed the cauliflower trend of 2014, this winter is the perfect opportunity to jump on the bandwagon. While a roasted red pepper soup would be enough to win us over, cauliflower is our favourite because it's in season, and is a healthy way to thicken your soups (or virtually anything) without feeling badly about it. Then there's the goat cheese. Recipe: www.closetcooking.com

This Portuguese combination of chorizo, kale, and potatoes is a must-try if you haven't indulged in some before. The kale forms an almost green broth, the potatoes are at a chowder-like consistency, and the sausage is slightly spiced. Plus, the ingredient list is fairly minimal, with only nine items in total. That being said, it's highly recommended that you serve hot sauce and bread on the side of this one. Recipe: www.heneedsfood.com

This decadent dish is perfect for the transition to colder temperatures. This twist on the delicious classic offers pieces of harvested corn and lobster among the caramelized onions and beef-broth base of a standard French onion soup. Recipe: www.halfbakedharvest.com