As the cold winter days continue to blast arctic air through February, comfort foods become mainstays. And there is no better winter comfort food than soup. But sometimes canned soup just won’t do the trick – homemade soup is what’s needed.

You don’t have to make a trip home or even have a stove to satisfy your craving for homemade soup. These recipes are all prepared in the microwave, which is great for anyone living in a dorm or off campus.

You can finish these soups off in one sitting by inviting some friends to join you, or you can eat some for a meal and reheat servings later. Freezing the soups also works, as they stay fresh for a longer period of time.

Soups are easy to prepare and can be a nice change of pace from the standard ramen noodles or pizza. Add some bread or crackers and drinks and you have a complete meal.

Soups can be nutrient-packed and flavorful. Vegetables are often the main ingredients in soups. The spices called for in a recipe give the soup a flavor all its own.

Another great thing about soups is that they are versatile. They come in a wide variety of styles – broth or cream-based, chilis, chowders or stews. On the Internet, you can find soup recipes to suit your tastes, or you can branch out and try something new or a little off the beaten path.

If you want to continue developing your soup-making skills, cookbooks exclusively geared towards soup recipes can be found at bookstores and online.