When soup night needs to feel cozy but still manageable, I head to Five Below. These nine finds help bring the whole evening together, from getting dinner underway to settling in afterward.
1. Maruchan® Bowl Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup 3.31oz – $2.00
When I want homemade soup without starting entirely from scratch, this microwaveable chicken ramen bowl gives me an easy foundation. It works especially well for a solo weeknight dinner dressed up with fresh vegetables, protein, or homemade stock.
Taste: The broth has a familiar, savory chicken flavor that lands squarely in comfort-food territory. The noodles turn soft and slurpable, so add any crisp vegetables near the end if you want more contrast.
Make It Better: Use homemade broth in place of some of the usual liquid, then finish the bowl with an egg, greens, or green onions.
Parting Thoughts: That makes it a handy shortcut for nights when fully from-scratch soup simply is not happening.
2. Dot’s® Homestyle Pretzels 5oz – Original Seasoned – $4.00
Dot’s seasoned pretzel twists bring the crunchy side that creamy and brothy soups often need. I set out the 5oz bag for casual dinners, when passing a snack around feels more relaxed than fussing with bread.
Taste: The original seasoning is bold and savory rather than plain or timid. Each twist has a firm crunch that holds up beside a steaming bowl.
Make It Better: Crush a handful over creamy soup as a quick crouton alternative, adding it immediately before serving to preserve the crunch.
Parting Thoughts: Crunch lovers will get the most from this pick, though subtle-seasoning devotees may find it assertive.
3. Lunch Bowl With Vented Plastic Lid 22oz – $4.00
Leftover night becomes much easier with this 22oz lidded soup bowl, which can go in the refrigerator or freezer. The vented plastic lid helps release steam, making it practical for taking homemade soup to lunch and reheating it in the microwave.
Standout Features: The bowl is BPA free, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and oven safe. Its plastic lid must be removed before the bowl goes into the oven.
Best For: Use it for a generous individual portion of batch-cooked soup; open the vent before microwave reheating.
Parting Thoughts: For regular soup packers, the versatile design earns its spot more than a purely decorative bowl would.
4. Cozy Plush Throw Blanket – $7.00
A chilly soup supper feels more inviting when this lightweight throw is already waiting on the couch. I like it for quiet movie nights or post-dinner lounging, when the bowl is empty but I am not ready to leave my cozy corner.
Standout Features: Its lightweight design is intended for relaxing at home, movie nights, naps, and adding a cozy layer to a room.
Best For: Drape it over the couch before dinner so it is within reach once everyone settles in with their soup.
Parting Thoughts: Cold-evening homebodies should find plenty of use for this beyond a single soup night.
5. Silicone Snack Containers 3-Pack 6.7oz – $4.00
For a build-your-own soup bar, these three 6.7oz snack containers keep toppings separated until serving time. Their leak-proof lids also make them useful when cheese, herbs, or green onions need to travel with a packed lunch.
Standout Features: The set includes three silicone containers with lids, and each container is dishwasher safe and microwave safe.
Best For: Portion different garnishes into the three pods, then place them together on the table so everyone can finish a bowl their own way.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone who dislikes a jumble of topping bags will appreciate the tidy three-container setup.
6. Scrub Mommy® Dual-Sided Scrubber + Sponge – $5.00
Cleanup is the unglamorous part of homemade soup night, and this dual-sided scrubber tackles pots, bowls, and the stovetop afterward. I would keep it by the sink for cooking sessions that leave behind dried broth or stuck-on residue.
Standout Features: The dual-sided design combines a scrubber and sponge in one kitchen-cleaning tool.
Best For: Use the sponge side for routine washing and the scrubber side when the soup pot needs more attention.
Parting Thoughts: Worth adding when the promise of an easier cleanup makes you more likely to cook.
7. Harvest Snaps® Original Lightly Salted Green Pea Snack Crisps – $3.00
Lightly salted green pea crisps are my brighter alternative to heavier soup sides. The 3.3oz bag is especially welcome beside vegetable or bean soup, and the crisps can double as a quick topping.
Taste: They have a savory green-pea flavor with restrained saltiness. The baked crisps are airy and crunchy, giving a creamy bowl a useful bit of contrast.
Make It Better: Crush them loosely over soup just before eating, or serve them whole for dipping on the side.
Parting Thoughts: Pick these when you want crunch without another strongly seasoned pretzel.
8. Multi-Purpose 360° Ribbed Plastic Spinner – $3.00
A little countertop order goes a long way while several soup ingredients are simmering. This 360° ribbed plastic spinner keeps seasonings and sauces accessible, though it is more of an everyday organizer than a soup-specific essential.
Standout Features: The plastic organizer rotates 360 degrees and has a ribbed design suited to organizing supplies in multiple rooms.
Best For: Group frequently used soup seasonings, oils, or hot sauces on it near your cooking area, then rotate instead of reaching past bottles.
Parting Thoughts: At $3.00, it suits cooks whose spice collection becomes chaotic whenever dinner gets busy.
9. Serving Board And Bowls 4-Piece Set – $8.00
Company night is where this four-piece serving set earns the table space. The bamboo board and three glass bowls turn cheese, herbs, and crackers into an organized toppings station for homemade soup.
Standout Features: The set consists of one bamboo board and three glass bowls, giving separate garnishes a shared serving base.
Best For: Fill each bowl with a different topping and place the board in the center of the table so guests can customize their servings.
Parting Thoughts: Hosts who enjoy a polished presentation will get more mileage from it than strictly solo diners.
