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No Chicken Noodle – Get Well Comfort Soup

This no chicken noodle soup has magical healing powers.

get well soup

Magic Soup?

One spoonful and you will feel a thousand times better.

One spoonful and you can predict the future.

One spoonful and you can fly.

mushroom miso soup

Except not really the last two.

Oh well.

I made up the following recipe to use a ton of mushrooms (an impulse buy from the Asian market, whose mushrooms are much less expensive than Whole Foods’). It’s not cold outside, and we’re not sick; but we loved this hot, comforting soup all the same.

It reminded me of an episode of Friends (everything reminds me of an episode of Friends) where one of the characters–a vegetarian–makes noodle water because she can’t have chicken soup. Not that I’ve ever had noodle water (eww?), but I’m pretty sure this no chicken mushroom soup is much better!

get well soup

No Chicken Noodle Soup 

(Get well soon soup!)

  • 14 oz sliced mushrooms (I used a combination of oyster and shiitake)
  • 4 oz sliced portobello mushrooms (or sliced button mushrooms)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1-3 tsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 45 oz broth of choice (I used Imagine No-Chickn)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3 and 1/2 tablespoons red or white miso – use chickpea miso for soy-free soup
  • optional: rice, a protein source, noodles (I added soba noodles, because I adore them)
  • optional: scallions for garnish

Heat a sauté pot, then add oil, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook 8-10 minutes. Add broth and thyme, and bring to a boil. Cover and lower to a simmer for 20-30 minutes. Take off heat and add miso. (Miso is added at the end because boiling it destroys the health benefits.) Stir to dissolve. If desired, add cooked rice or noodles, and/or a protein source. Makes 4 large servings or 6-7 starter servings.

View Mushroom Soup Nutrition Facts

You know what else has healing powers?

cfs

This stuff: Chocolate Frosting Shots

I had to fit chocolate into the post somehow! 😉

What foods do you like to eat when you don’t feel well?

I haven’t actually gotten sick in years, but I used to get Strep throat often. So my favorite things to eat were cold, soothing foods like ice cream or sorbet. Definitely not chicken noodle soup, although I did like chicken noodle soup when I wasn’t sick. Actually, I think I just liked the noodles. Mmmm noodles…

P.S. Don’t you wish you could fly??

Published on April 25, 2012

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120 Comments

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  1. Jasmin says

    Looks really good! When I’m sick I like to have fruity stuff though, so I made this fruit soup stuff! Really yummy!

  2. Samantha says

    This looks so good (I love mushroom) and thanks for the frosting shots link! That is one I haven’t tried yet and I think I would love.

    When I get sick my appetite goes away. I will say one of the advantages of being vegan is that you can eat things like milkshakes and there is no dairy to junk you up and I have done that with a sore throat.

    Once I was REALLY sick and not eating at all and I got a bizarre craving for chocolate chip cookie dough, which I made, and ate over the next few days.

    PS. I did not know that about miso and boiling! Good to know. I can’t wait to make this one. I love soups.

    Saltines and applesauce are biggies for sick days as well.

    • Samantha says

      PS. Totally off topic but thanks for letting me know my blog comments was all exclusive to google accounts only! I never knew! Did some fixing today. 🙂

  3. Pauline says

    Oddly enough, growing up my dad would always so straight for eating jello when he’d be feeling sick. I haven’t found a substitute for that, are there gelatin-free jellos out there?

  4. Katia says

    This soup sounds awesome except for the miso, but I’ve probably only had white miso. Does red miso taste/smell not like fish?

  5. Arielle says

    I love to eat Matzah ball soup when I’m sick, and it was my favorite soup to eat as a kid. I eat mostly vegan/vegetarian now so I haven’t had it in a while…perhaps I should try to concoct a vegan version? Mmmmm….

  6. Rikki says

    I have a question for Katie (or anyone!) about the frosting shots. Does light coconut milk not have enough fat to work? I tried a different frosting recipe with the light kind (refrigerated overnight) and it was pretty runny, but I mixed it quickly with a whisk and not a mixer. I’m not sure if it was the method or ingredient that caused it.

  7. sweet road says

    Mushrooms are amazing. Every once in a while I’ll run into a vegetarian who hates mushrooms and I’m always baffled! I think anything with mushrooms in it could cure me.

  8. Faith says

    I make a soup with lot’s of ginger and garlic with some shredded veggies (and mushrooms if I have them) thrown in. It’s so soothing, plus flavorful enough that even if my sinuses are a wreck I can still taste it!

    And aren’t the noodles in chicken noodle soup everyone’s favorite part?! They should be!

  9. Cathy says

    I have actually been sick for the past few days! I mostly have found that i don’t want to eat ( I lost a bunch of weight, darn! :)) so i have mainly been drinking juice. I am going to make this now!
    Oh and I totally want to fly! When I was little i thought that was the coolest super power!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Aw feel better soon 🙁
      My mom used to make me peanut butter and banana smoothies when I was sick, to get in calories quickly… plus bananas are part of the BRAT diet (bananas rice applesauce and toast) which is good for when you’re feeling sick.

      Sending well-wishes your way!

  10. Ann says

    Katie
    How funny–I made a soup almost just like this last night, using up a bag of frozen mushrooms. I also added a piece of kombu and 1/4c peanut butter and some scallions. It was very comforting and delish, and it made for a good breakfast this morn!
    Today I hope to have time to try your pb bread (gluten free)
    Thanks for the inspiration
    Ann

  11. Sabrina says

    Recently my go to comfort food has been your tofu scramble (i had to go to the ER the other day and it was the only thing I was willing to eat when I left)! I actually like to top mine with a sprinkle of vegan mozzarella cheese! I’m not a vegan, but for some reason love the taste of it. I was curious as to what you thought of it and whether you liked it or not? I’ve never seen you mention it, so I thought I’d ask!

    Btw sorry if the above was TMI, but I wanted you to know that I think it’s THAT great!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      lol 🙂
      I’ve tried Daiya before, and I was a little creeped out by it because I thought it tasted like real cheese too! And I actually fooled a few of my friends with it. So it made me feel uneasy to eat it… I might need to give it another chance, though. I used to be a huge cheese fan (that was the hardest thing for me to give up when going vegan). Maybe in some mac and cheese…

  12. Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says

    Omigosh, I can’t believe you haven’t gotten sick in years! I’ve been sick quite a bit this year but am hoping that is over with now! This soup looks delicious though! I love mushrooms and it looks perfectly warm and comforting!

  13. Susan says

    When I am sick, depressed, stressed, etc. I go for the bread, somehow it just makes me feel better. Sounds silly but it works. I also found a drink at Whole Foods by Prometheus which is ginger with capsation that is so great when you don’t feel good. I drink it hot before I go to bed and in the morning I feel much better. Also for an upset tummy, I drink Ginger People Soother. It is really a good way to stop an upset tummy.

  14. Lyza says

    I am pretty much sick all of the time, so I just try to eat lots of raw fruits and veggies. This soup looks divine. 🙂

  15. Sarah the official CCK drooler says

    I love my mom’s casserole when I’m sick or her orzo soup… YUM!
    Oh and a little update on my second attempt at the pb bread. So, I made it again (sans the cumin 🙂 ) and it baked up beautifully. Then I gave some to my little brother ( I made it just for him) and waited for his reaction, since his say goes. And… HE LOVED IT!!! He had three pieces (and stole mine) and had the rest for breakfast as french toast. And I’m going to whip up some more for his after school snack. I was so happy he could have some bread again that he loved!
    This time I used Bob’s GF mix (she used Arrowhead Mills), and brown sugar sweetener.
    Thanks!

    • Samantha says

      Hooray! I am glad it worked out. 🙂 I am totally waiting for the french toast update.

      Yesterday I made the french toast with crushed pineapple and used an english muffin because it is all I had around. I should have drained the pineapple more so I had this soggy delightful mess that still was totally good. I REALLY enjoyed pineapple. My big plan was the side by side banana/pineapple taste off only I ate all my banana before that could happen. 🙂

      • Sarah the official CCK drooler says

        Mmmm, the pineapple french toast sounds delicious! And I’ve never tried french toast with an english muffin, but you just inspired me 🙂 I actually have a peanut butter bread loaf that I just stuck in the oven- I have a feeling it’s going to be a staple around these parts! And I want to thank you again for your suggestions, Samantha. Turns out my sister DID use baking soda instead of powder! So I’M gonna do the baking here from now on 🙂

        • Samantha says

          Oh how funny on the soda! That would totally give you the salty taste.

          The voice of baking blunders talking here. 🙂

          The pineapple was absolutely amazing. I used crushed and honestly should have squeezed it out. Full disclosure…soggy mess! But it was SO good. I am not sure if english muffin was an issue or not (you know how they tend to be porous on one side and not so much on the other. But I didn’t care in the least. I will absolutely do it again. 🙂 It was like a messy pineapple pancake!

  16. Sarah the official CCK drooler says

    Oh, I almost forgot. In the comments section of that post someone asked about using honey and you said “yes”. Why didn’t it work for me? I REALLY don’t want to use sugar, which is why I’m asking. Would agave maybe work?

  17. Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats says

    I just made a “get well” soup yesterday after my throat was hurting. Mine was creamy chicken and rice soup, which although it was really good, didn’t make me fly either. Too bad, flying would be awesome!

    Next time I’m sick I’ll have to try your version and you’re right, Asian markets always have way cheaper veggies!

    • Sarah the official CCK drooler says

      Mmmm, the soup sounds good! Do you have the recipe to share? I’ve never had creamy chicken and rice soup, but it sounds right up my alley 🙂

  18. Nichole says

    Ive been sick the past few days and am looking forward to making this for dinner tonight, if I can find the miso! any suggestions for substitutions or easy places to find miso? Im hoping the local HEB sells it… I made the chocolate frosting shots for lunch, ate with some strawberries, yum! When I’m sick, I like to eat soup and drink smoothies, and pretty much only have a taste for carb-y things… Thanks for a great post! I’m also excited to look for the new Luna bars and the almond coccout milk from yesterdays post!

  19. Em says

    Thanks for listing the soup! You must have been paying extra attention the other day when I commented. I’ll make sure to try this as soon as I can. I love mushroom soup! Thanks for posting all the great recipes.

  20. Moni Meals says

    Looks great! I always make a big soup or stew when the husband or I are feeling run down, works every time. 🙂

  21. Beth @ Tasty Yummies says

    YUM! This soup looks amazing. I definitely crave soup when I am under the weather. The more broth and spice, the better. I usually make a spicy Asian-inspired soup, like Pho or something like it. I love all of those flavors. If I don’t have the time to make a full on soup, I just make a quick veggie broth that is heavy on the ginger, garlic and spice, so good for a stuffy head. Oh and I really love my soups to be heavy on the noodles, too. Something so comforting about them 🙂

  22. Melissa (Better Fit) says

    Wow- magical soup. What more could you want?! It looks delicious.

    So does this mean Whole Foods isn’t a discount store? (Just kidding)

    My go-to food when I’m unwell is probably bananas.

  23. Patricia @ thecastironvegan says

    I’m not always crazy about mushrooms, but I LOVE miso. I definitely need to make some miso soup soon.
    How is the peanut butter/coconut oil spread you listed on the new products page? It sounds like an intriguing combination!
    Oh, and THANK YOU for correctly placing an apostrophe after Whole Foods. SO many people miss the possessive in that context; it is refreshing to see someone as grammatically nit-picky as me! 🙂

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      I’m also glad to know I’m not the only one who cares! I am a stickler for correct grammar usage; in high school, my friends would ask me to edit their essays, because I find editing to be fun! I’m weird… 🙂

  24. meg says

    This reminds me completely of Tom Yum soup. Which I am DYING to try to make at home. Its so healthy and healing. You should make it! you can make it vegan I believe.. just omit the fish juice stuff.. its seriously one of the most internally warming soups I have ever had.

  25. Mandie says

    Yes, I do actually wish I could fly! What camera do you use, Katie? Your pics are always so pretty! I’m trying to find a nice camera that takes really good pics, and your pictures are very nice looking – not fuzzy or anything! 😉

  26. kris says

    I have a question about a previous post… with your soy free vegan ceam recipe, how did you determine the calorie content? Does it depend on what type of milk you use? I didn’t see any other ingredient that has calories. And may i just tell you have fantastic your voluminous ice cream is! I am eating it every day and loving it!!!!

  27. Kit-Kat says

    First off, so excited about the new food finds from yesterday’s post. I am SO gonna try the Luna bars and the Almond ice creams!!!

    Second, the soup looks delicious!!! I love noodles in soup (especially when the pouf up in the next day’s leftovers, if there are any left!). The long noodles and elbow-macs are probably my choice noodles in soup.
    And I’m with you on frosting shots!!! Oh yum, the best part of dessert is the frosting!!! 😀

  28. Amber K says

    I used to love chicken noodle soup, but I always hated chicken. So I always picked all of the chicken out and just ate the broth and noodles, lol.

  29. Casey says

    Peanutbutter Moo’d jamba juice or sweet potato fries, not the healthiest but they sure are good on a cold day, temperature and sickness.
    This soup looks delish though! I am going to definitely try it when I have an abundance of saturday market mushrooms.

  30. Lexi says

    i just wanted to tell you that i find you to be a genius and i feel like my prayers have been answered thru your recipes and your mutual love of chocolate. I am officially addicted to this blog!

  31. Saraquill says

    To answer your question, it depends on what I’m sick with. If it’s stomach or throat related, I drink ridiculously strong homemade ginger tea. (I use a ratio of one part tea to two parts water and it’s still powerful) Another throat thing I like to drink is a mixture of very hot butter, lemon juice and honey. Otherwise I’ll go for miso soup, as it’s easy to make and has endless variations.

  32. Jules says

    when I’m sick, I strangely love to eat pretzels (preferably the honey wheat twisty ones), maybe its the saltyness? And also YES I WISH I COULD FLY !!!

  33. Amber with Slim Pickin's Kitchen says

    If I liked mushrooms, I would definitely try out this soup, but I don’t so I won’t 🙁 HOWEVER, it does totally remind me of one of my comfort foods when I’m sick with a cold. I adore hot & sour soup when sick! It makes me warm from the inside out plus it drains my sinuses (sorry if that’s too graphic) which is perfection when you are sick. As for the chocolate shots, I have a blob of thickened coconut milk in my fridge right now! Guess I know what’s for dessert tonight! Also, that reminds me, I wanted to ask you this: when I opened this can (thai kitchen) the coconut had already separated from the water so there really wasn’t any reason to leave it in the fridge over night to separate. I just came out of the can in one big blob. Is that normal? I’ve always purchased lite coconut milk before, so I wasn’t sure if I got a bad can or not. It tastes fine & I haven’t gotten sick so I’m hoping it’s ok!

  34. Diandra says

    My favorite when I am sick is a vegan carrot, peanut butter and ginger soup. (I add “vegan” because that is not my usual way with food. ^^ ) It’s soothing, filling and spicy. And kind of magical, too.

  35. Debbie P. says

    I love this idea and the OTHER ingredients as I’m not a mushroom liker. I would still like to make and didn’t know if you might have a good healthy substitute as mushrooms are the main ingredient… 🙂 Some kind of bean and/or other non-slimy veggie. 😉

  36. Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Pepper says

    I’m not a mushroom person, but your pictures look great! The choclate froosting shot is more my speed! 🙂 When I’m sick I like to eat chicken noodle soup, or this may sound gross, but I like to have Mrs. Grass soup with saltine crackers. I think it’s because my Mom used to give it to me as a kid. Not healthy at all, but it was so good!

  37. Sarah S. says

    You’re so lucky you haven’t gotten sick! I get sick around the time my monthly visitor comes, nearly every time >.< It really sucks. I guess it isn't really being sick in the virus/bacteria sense as I'm not infected, but I'm just about bed-ridden! I bet this soup would make me feel loads better anyway 🙂

  38. LizAshlee says

    I like the basics..soup…crackers…toast…nothing real heave..maybe a light homemade chocolate or vanilla shake…mmm:)

  39. Nykole says

    I can’t wait to make this soup! My mom and I both LOVE mushrooms, I’m so happy I found this site!

    In response to your question, I love any type of homemade brothy soup when I’m sick. My mom makes really good veggie noodle soup! When I was younger (before I went vegetarian then vegan) I also always loved those cheese-filled chicken nuggets. They always made me feel better!

  40. Lori says

    I’ve come across your blog a few times but finally joined and love it all. I like trying other people’s recipes as much as I enjoy creating my own. I’m excited to make some of yours 🙂

    sweatpantsandsuperfoods.com

  41. Tara says

    Yes! I would LOVE to fly! On a completely random note – It just occurred to me that if you had a t-shirt (which would I’m sure be awesome, because I’ve only ever seen you make awesome stuff) that I would buy it and wear it proudly, and maybe even leave the “One-minute-chocolate-cake” smudges around my mouth for added effect. Plz tell me you’ll think about it (selling a t-shirt I mean) 🙂

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      LOL I actually signed up for a Spreadshirt account a long time ago (they’re kinda like CafePress). But then I decided no one would want a CCK tee shirt. But I have so many fun ideas for sayings… so I might have to look back into that. 🙂 🙂

      • Sabrina says

        You should definitely take a poll on this one!! I would happily buy a CCK shirt (as I already tell everyone I know that likes cooking and/or baking about your site)! Maybe even have a design contest? Although, you are pretty creative so I’m sure you could come up with something fantastic-looking yourself! 🙂

  42. Kathy says

    Now that I thinks about it, I haven’t gotten sick in awhile! I’d say I liked things like soup and sometimes ice cream!! 🙂

  43. Ellyn says

    This looks sooo yummy Katie I can’t wait to try it. I’m a frequent on your site, although I don’t think i’ve ever left a comments, I check it almost every day. It’s amazing that you post basically every day, and inspiring that you’re so committed to your blog and the happiness (/bellies) of your readers :-p.
    I am just starting out blogging, my site is yourvegansister.com, and I was wondering if I could ask you some questions. How do I get ahold of you?

  44. Sarah Anne @ fear-no-food.net says

    I made this for dinner to.ight and it was homey and delicious! I added tofu cubes and short grain brown rice. Thanks so much Katie!!

  45. Emily Anne says

    I made this on Friday and it was so good! I added some red kidney beans, long grain wild rice, brown rice, and extra mushrooms. Me and my boyfriend loved it! Thanks 🙂

  46. MaryAnne says

    It’s as if you came into my kitchen over the weekend, ate the rest of my Ghirardelli choocolate chips, saw that I had a fridge full of sliced mushroom cartons that I overbought (shopping for a cooking competition and figured it would be better than running out!) and designed this recipe to ensure that all those mushrooms wouldn’t go to waste! I had no idea what to do with them.

    And the chocolate chips are gone for real, but I suspect the culprit is still here in the house.

    Thank you SO much for this recipe and the carrot cake one! I quadrupled that recipe (but used applesauce in lieu of half of the oil) — tonight’s dinner and dessert were utterly divine!!!

    • MaryAnne says

      Forgot to mention — added spinach to the soup (stirred it in at the very end so it wouldn’t wither away). I’d do that again, and I’d take the suggestion of the commenter above me and add red beans (white beans would also be good, I’m guessing!). These wouuld work for the commenters who said they disliked mushrooms, I think. But personally, I loved it just as you prescribed, so to speak!

  47. Bethany says

    Question. Is the recipe calling for red miso paste or do you think a red miso soup packet would work? Thanks. 🙂 PS- Love your website. I’ve gotten so many of my friends addicted to it!

  48. Mya says

    I made this last week when I got laryngitis. It was delicious. Added tempeh with flax seeds and some black pepper to spice it up a little. Yummy.

  49. Tracey says

    Made this soup tonight for my dad’s birthday dinner along with veggie sushi rolls. I added some cut up tofu but kept the rest of the recipe as is. It was a hit and so easy! Definitely will make this again!
    Oh, and my kids LOVE your mint chocolate chip “ice cream” with spinach! Mmmmm…..

  50. Stephanie H. says

    I finally found red miso and made this soup tonight. I am sure that I am a complete nut for making this soup when it is 90 degrees outside, but I had a rough day (stress fracture = no running for me) and I always make comfort food when I am bummed. This soup is just wonderful! I added some baby spinach and tofu in at the end and it is really delicious. Thank you!

  51. Rebecca says

    Mushrooms are loaded with vitamin D3 which feeds your immune system. But the D3 is a fat soluble vitamin and requires a saturated fat to be absorbed by the body. If you replace the vegetable oil with butter or coconut oil (has antibiotic and anti viral properties) you will get more nutrition from the soup. Throw in a little diced carrot for vitamin A, which also feeds the immune system. You will be feeling better in no time.

  52. Kristen says

    WOW.

    That’s all I can say. I’ve never cooked with miso before, but this soup is going to become a fall/winter staple from now on! I added fresh chopped spinach, tofu shitake noodles, and a whole block of extra firm tofu (pressed between paper towels and books while the soup was cooking).

    With the additions, I’m sure the soup will last me 5-6 dinner portions at the least!

    I used low sodium veggie broth, but I am curious as to where I can find Imagine No-Chickn broth. Can it be found in any health food store?

  53. Shani says

    Hi Katie, in your method you don’t actually mention the onion – I am assuming it is just sauted with the mushrooms and garlic in the beginning? or do you fry the onion first and then add the mushrooms and garlic?

  54. Brandie says

    I don’t know how I missed this post when it first came around, but … Uh… Yum?? I LOVE miso soup! And a ‘substitute’ for chicken noodle (yuck!) for when you’re feeling sick is fantastic. Thank you!

  55. coppertopper says

    Was about to run out and buy soup, then remembered your blog. This seems to be perfect for my tastes, but when do you add the onions? Thanks!

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