September is upon us—and even though the official start of fall isn’t until September 22, I think we can all agree that the urge to fall into a sea of ​​chrysanthemums in a thick sweater starts immediately after Labor Day (even if the humidity outside is still 80 percent). And if you’re anything like me, that means the countdown to soup season is much To.

Let me tell you why I love soup: I love it when I have nothing but heirloom root vegetables in my fridge or pantry. I love it when I have absolutely no time for a 15-step recipe. I love it when my kids are actually participating in dinner, because slurping tomato soup from a kid-sized bowl is so deliciously novel that even they, diehard picky eaters, can’t resist. Soup is the busy person’s meal. Soup is the budget-conscious cook’s hedge. Soup for the president.

Are you as crazy as I am? Great, then you definitely need a special stockpot, just like me. Luckily, Le Creuset (maker of the coveted cast iron skillet) also makes a cast iron stockpot, which is now on sale for almost 22 percent off through August 19th.

Le Creuset 3.5-Quart Cast Iron Stockpot with Glass Lid – $200.00

Originally $255; now on sale for $200

• The cast iron construction distributes and stores the heat evenly
• The enamel coating protects the interior from stains and minimizes food sticking.
• Tightly closing glass lid prevents splashes and enables steaming
• Ovenproof up to 260 °C
• Made in France and available in the 5 iconic Le Creuset colours

• Technically dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended
• Still a small financial investment

The cast iron construction ensures that heat is evenly distributed and retained, while the enamel coating ensures that the interior is protected from stains and the chunky bits of your soup don’t stick to the bottom. Although hand-washing is recommended, the pot is technically dishwasher safe and can be used in the oven up to 500°F (260°C).

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Plus, it comes in five of Le Creuset’s gorgeous, signature colors (I went with the bright red, and it’s earned a permanent spot on my stove as a general kitchen icon), and comes with a tight-fitting glass lid to keep your stews simmering and steaming until they’re as cozy as can be. All of Le Creuset’s kitchen appliances have true workhorse status (I’ve had a Dutch oven that’s been happily sizzling away for nearly a decade), and the stockpot is designed to be perfect for one last-minute dinner after another. Bookmark these ten protein-packed, incredibly delicious soup recipes and dream of September with me. Soup geeks, unite.