In this recipe roundup, we're gearing up for the fall season with our favorite recipes for soups and stews. We'll be covering:

• The best recipes for fall soups and stews
• Some piping hot tips for making soup and stew a simple seasonal staple
• A few ideas for rounding out your meal with sandwiches and sides

If you're anything like us, once there's even a hint of chill in the air, soups and stews become the stars of your weekly menu. Even here in California - where our fall isn't really that much different than the rest of the year - there's something wonderfully comforting about a warm, satisfying bowl of soup.

Whether your preferred soup du jour is a hearty chili, a creamy tomato basil, or even a classic chicken noodle, there's no denying that soups and stews are a must come fall. And in addition to being delicious and perfectly satisfying, fall stews and soups can also be incredibly easy to make.

We've put together a generous serving of the best soup recipes for fall, including a wide variety of stews, soups, chilis, and more. From a casual lunch at home to a cozy supper with your family, you'll have plenty of ideas for making this fall extra delicious.

West Texas Chili

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it seems that includes the amount of flavor packed into their chili as well! This recipe presents a West Texas take on the traditional red chili, which means beans are off the ingredients list. Instead, this chili is all about the meat: it uses two pounds of ground chuck or venison. A can of amber ale beer adds even more flavor, while corn flour thickens it all up. Make sure to set aside at least an hour for it to simmer because that's the best way to make all the spices shine.

Of course, don't forget to stock up on all the toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, cilantro, and hot sauce.

Serving suggestions: You can't go wrong with a classic homemade cornbread, or you can try this Mexican-inspired version for some extra heat and cheesy goodness.

Pecan Soup

Have you heard of chestnut soup? Pecan soup is similarly rich and velvety, but it has a little extra Southern flair. This recipe uses just nine ingredients, and you probably have most of them in your pantry right now. The addition of chopped pecans brings an element of crunch to the creamy soup, while chopped chives and crème fraîche elevate both the presentation and flavor.

Pecan soup is perfect for a fall appetizer or a first course for a special seasonal meal.

Serving suggestions: You can keep your meal vegetarian-friendly with a roasted vegetable medley or serve the soup with a large loaf of crusty French bread for dipping.

Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of tomato soup? This savory soup relies on Roma tomatoes roasted with onion, garlic, thyme, and pepper for its wow-worthy flavor, making it worlds away from the canned tomato soup of your childhood. In terms of time and effort in the kitchen, this soup recipe keeps it impressively minimal - especially if you have a handy immersion blender!

Serving suggestions: We're not going to say that a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich is required, but it may as well be. Sure, the soup itself is made with cheddar, but is there such a thing as too much cheese? We think not.

Pork and Tomatillo Stew

This spicy stew is loaded with Mexican flavors, as well as a variety of vegetables, so it's a comfort food you can feel good about eating. Browning the pork is key because that's what gives the meat (and the stew) its fabulous savory flavor. Garlic, diced chiles, tomatillos, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes round out the list of ingredients alongside a blend of spices.

Serving suggestions: If you're feeling ambitious, you can make a batch of baked tortilla chips to top off the stew - or, if time is running short, grab a bag of chips from the pantry and call it a night.

Kale and White Bean Stew

In this recipe, two traditional Portuguese dishes (bean, sausage, and tomato stew and kale with sausage soup) combine for a one-pot meal you'll love. The veggies take center stage since only a small amount of sausage is used. But, if you're serving a meal to meat lovers, you can always add more - or switch it up for pepperoni or chorizo. One of our favorite parts of this meal is that it can be on the table within 30 minutes or so, which is exactly what we want for a weeknight dinner.

Serving suggestions: Did you know that Portugal has their own version of cornbread? It's called Pão de Milho, or Broa, and is much different from the cornbread served in the Southern U.S. With a crusty exterior and a chewy, soft inside, it makes for a filling addition to this stew.

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

When a recipe has more than 12,000 ratings and a perfect five stars to its name, you know it's a solid choice. Even though this beef stew recipe takes over two hours from start to finish, you don't even have to be in the kitchen for most of that - it's simmering for the majority of that time. It's the ultimate fall stew recipe, especially for an especially chilly evening at home.

Serving suggestions: You could make some quick steamed veggies to get some extra green into your dinner, or you could serve a batch of pillow-soft dinner rolls with butter.

Find Fall's Best Produce, Pantry Staples, and More at Gelson's

Hungry yet? We certainly are - luckily, we now have several easy soup recipes to look forward to trying.

No matter what season it is, Gelson's is your go-to grocery store. We carry an outstanding selection of farm-fresh produce, premium meats and seafood, pantry basics, baked goods, and so much more. Here, you can find every single item on your shopping list, plus tons of other items to enjoy. Plus, our bakery and catering teams have you covered with quick meals on the go, so you can be wonderfully well-fed even when time is short.

This fall, simplify your grocery shopping trips when you come to your neighborhood Gelson's Supermarket.

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