My famous alphabet soup is super easy to make, packed with vegetables, kid-approved, and done in 30 minutes or less.
Thanks to canned veggies and lots of good flavors, it comes together without a fuss for a simple weeknight meal, the perfect cold fighter, or something to warm you and your family up on a chilly day!
The Best Homemade Alphabet Soup
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!
Most summers, I grow a huge garden and can my heart out. My pantry is always plum full of delicious veggies that I pull out all year long, whether it’s in the middle of winter or next summer, and enjoy. I know that many of you aren’t able to do the same, so I made a recipe using lots and lots of canned veggies that you can pick up at the grocery store!
There is something magical about alphabet soup. Having all those fun letters hiding in it makes it so easy to dig in to. 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.
What’s in homemade alphabet soup?
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.
How do you store leftover alphabet soup?
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.
Why is it called alphabet soup?
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!
How do you make alphabet soup less thick?
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.
Tips and tricks for making alphabet soup:
- 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.
- 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.
- Don’t like green beans? Don’t add them! This is the kind of soup that you can add or take away what you do and don’t like really easily. Make it your own.
How to make alphabet soup:
- Heat the olive oil and onion over medium-high heat until the onion is cooked through and translucent.
- 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.
Healthy 30 Minute Alphabet Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
My famous alphabet soup is super easy to make, packed with vegetables, kid-approved, and done in 30 minutes or less.
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.
Notes
- This soup is pretty thick, just the way I like it. If you’d like it less thick, add a second can of water or up to two more cups of broth, 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.
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: soup, vegetables, kid food, easy dinner, ABC soup, alphabet soup recipe, vegetable soup recipe
Want To Save This Recipe?
Y-U-M is right! Wasn’t that easy?! Open a few cans, let the pasta cook, and enjoy. Done.
If you love this Alphabet Soup Recipe, you might also like these easy recipes:
- Simple Cream of Tomato Soup
- Easy Turkey Pumpkin Chili
- Tortellini Vegetable Soup
- Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
- Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
This post was originally published in 2018, and has been updated and rephotographed in January 2020.
Homemade, veggie-filled alphabet soup is one of our favorites and I can’t wait for you to make it too! Enjoy from my kitchen to yours.
About Melissa
Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...
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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 !
I love pears and peaches.
We always have pineapple chunks because my daughter snacks on them all the time! (always have green beans too – just in case!)
I always have green beans and peaches stocked.
https://twitter.com/thriftymaven/status/431576420435771392
Del Monte tomatoes are an essential staple in our pantry
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/431575873087475712
I always have tomatoes, beans and peaches and pears in my pantry
Never been a fan of peas, but corn is an absolute must! Whether it’s a side, in soup, or with nachos(don’t knock it until you try it!) I always have corn on hand.
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/431558436535291904