Healthy Homemade 30-Minute Alphabet Soup
on Jan 06, 2014, Updated Jul 19, 2024
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My famous healthy homemade alphabet soup is super easy to make, packed with vegetables, kid-approved, and done in 30 minutes or less.
Choosing healthy options for your family doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive, and today’s recipe proves that point. You are going to love this healthy, 30-minute alphabet soup. It’s kid-tested and healthy mama-approved. If putting a healthy meal on the table is quick and easy, then you have no reason not to!
There is something magical about alphabet soup. Having all those fun letters hiding in it makes it so easy to dig into. My little ones love finding the letters to their names, and if they happen to eat tons of vegetables while doing so, I’m not going to complain. This soup is thick and hearty without being heavy. With just the right amount of seasoning and a magical sweetness that comes from the use of ripe tomatoes in the tomato juice, this soup is going to please even the pickiest eaters.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super easy to make on a night with little to no time or you can even make it ahead for a day you know you’ll need that extra 30 minutes.
- This recipe is a classic that all taste buds love. It’s hearty and healthy, perfect for your growing babies.
- If you’re a meat lover or you just want to add some protein you could totally treat this like a beef and veggie stew!
Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion and garlic — powder can work in a pinch
- Vegetable or chicken broth — this can be a vegetarian recipe!
- Tomato sauce
- Diced tomatoes — all vegetables can be fresh, canned, or frozen!
- Green beans
- Peas and carrots
- Whole kernel corn
- Parsley — Dried or fresh works for both the basil and parsley
- Basil
- Alphabet noodles — Any kind of noodles work if you just want to make a veggie soup
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Alphabet Soup
Step 1: In a large pot, heat the olive oil and onion over medium-high heat until the onion is cooked through and translucent. Then Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with the juice), green beans, peas and carrots, corn, parsley, basil, and salt.
Step 3: Continue to heat until the mixture is boiling. Add the alphabet noodles and simmer for 10 minutes.
Only the best, yummiest flavors! I make alphabet soup using fresh onion and garlic for rich flavor; veggie or chicken broth and tomato sauce for a savory broth; canned diced tomatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, and corn for a slew of veggie power; alphabet noodles of course; plus fresh parsley, dried basil, salt and pepper for additional flavor.
Allow your soup to cool completely before ladling it into an airtight container and storing in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it with great success up to 3 months.
Alphabet soup has long been a family favorite meal, and it’s named for the letter-shaped noodles that make it so fun and creative!
If you prefer a thinner broth, you can simply add a cup of water or up to two cups more of broth and adjust the seasonings to make sure they don’t get overpowered by the extra liquid.
Expert Tips
- This soup is pretty thick, just the way I like it. If you’d like it less thick add a second can of water and adjust the seasoning to taste.
- You can find the alphabet letters near other pasta or in the Hispanic foods section of the grocery store.
- If you prefer a creamy texture, blend a portion of the soup (using an immersion blender or regular blender) and then mix it back in. Alternatively, add a splash of cream or coconut milk.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Healthy 30 Minute Alphabet Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carton vegetable or chicken broth, (32 ounce)
- 1 can tomato sauce, (14.5 ounce)
- 1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 ounce)
- 1 can green beans, (14.5 ounce, drained)
- 1 can peas and carrots, (14.5 ounce, drained)
- 1 can whole kernel corn, (14.5 ounce, drained)
- 3 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 bag alphabet noodles, (7 ounce)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil and onion over medium-high heat until the onion is cooked through and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with the juice), green beans, peas and carrots, corn, parsley, basil, and salt.
- Continue to heat until the mixture is boiling. Add the alphabet noodles and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir frequently. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to rest for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy right away.
Video
Notes
- Dice and sauté a variety of vegetables to add texture, color, and nutrients to your soup. Classic choices include onions, carrots, celery, and diced tomatoes. You can also add spinach, peas, corn, or any other vegetables you enjoy.
- This is a great dinner to add some Super Simple No-Knead Bread or some Quick and Easy Sweet Potato Biscuits — both are great options that my kids love.
- Add vegetables to the pot based on their cooking times. Harder vegetables like carrots and potatoes should go in earlier, while softer vegetables like spinach and peas can be added towards the end to avoid them becoming mushy
- The alphabet or star-shaped pasta is to the fun of this soup. You can find these in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.
Do I have to pre cook the alphabet pasta?
No, it’ll cook right in the pot!
Ok I love how quick and easy this soup is! Just my two cents- since I can’t ever find a box of alphabet noodles for the life of me (weird, right?!) I used orzo this last time and I definitely recommend that. I also cooked it for just five minutes (you’re supposed to cook it for ten according to the pasta box) and then just take it off the heat, uncovered, and it continues to cook through as it sits for ten minutes or so. I found this cooks it perfectly and it doesn’t overcook and get too mushy for leftovers, which I’m always nervous about with noodle dishes 🙂
I keep my pantry stocked with Del Monte; peas and carrots, diced AND stewed tomatoes. My son eats most anything served over pasta so Del Monte makes up 85% of this skillet full of tasty, nutritious dinner – and leftovers for my work lunch box. Brown a cut up head of garlic in butter OR bacon grease if your lucky enough to have some around. Add a chopped onion to the partially browned garlic. Add I sliced up link of your favorite sausage or 1/2 lb of browned turkey burger when onions are half way done (they continue cooking while the sausage is cooking / releasing its flavor into the mix). Add a can of peas and carrots, one or two cans of diced or stewed tomatoes to heat up in last 5 min. of cooking, until sausage is done – plump and juicy !
I serve it over pasta with grated parmesan chesse and toasted sour dough ! A complete nutritionally balanced meal in one skillet ! i store left over pasta seperately and combine before reheating throughout the week from my lunch box. Enjoy !