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This hearty tomato-based soup is full of fresh veggies and cute alphabet letters that’s perfect for making mealtime fun for kids and adults alike!
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Homemade Campbell-style alphabet soup has tender-crisp veggies simmered in a rich, tomato broth.
- Skill Level: This one-pot soup is as easy to make as it is to eat.
- Budget Tip: Add leftover white rice to stretch the recipe further.
- Time-Saving Tip: Toss in a bag of mixed frozen veggies and diced potatoes and skip the prep step.
- Serving Suggestions: Our fam loves alphabet soup with a stack of crispy garlic cheese toasts or cheesy breadsticks.
What’s in Alphabet Soup?
- Pasta: Cute little alphabet shapes will keep little eaters engaged, looking for every letter (or their initials)! If alphabet noodles aren’t in your area, find them online here or use orzo, ditalini, pastina, or mini shells.
- Veggies: Fresh veggies add savory flavor and can be customized any way you like. Use any veggies on hand, be sure they’re cut small enough so a little bit of veggie love gets into every bite!
- Seasonings: Buy or DIY? Make your own Italian seasoning blend with pantry basics and have lots of leftovers for other recipes.
Variations You Need to Try:
- Make it meaty and add frozen meatballs, or leftover ground beef, chicken, or Italian sausage.
- Try adding some frozen peas or corn, or green beans with the pasta for extra color and nutrition.
- Try using chicken broth, homemade chicken stock, or vegetable stock in place of beef broth for a lighter-tasting variation.
How to Make Alphabet Soup
- In a large soup pot, sauté the vegetables (except the potato) and garlic until softened.
- Add remaining ingredients (except alphabet pasta) and bring to a boil.
- Add alphabet pasta and simmer until noodles are al dente (full recipe below).
Tips & Tricks for Storing Soup
Store alphabet soup in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
If freezing, write the date on the outside of the zippered bag and store in the freezer for up to one month.
Classic Soup Recipes
Did you make this Alphabet Soup? Leave a rating and comment below!
Alphabet Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 carrot sliced
- 1 rib celery sliced
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 5 cups beef broth reduced sodium
- 1 cup water
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 potato diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup alphabet noodles uncooked
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Saute until onion begins to soften.
- Add broth, water, tomatoes, tomato paste, potato, and seasonings. Bring to a boil and turn down to a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add alphabet noodles and cook for 7-8 minutes or until noodles are cooked al dente.
Notes
- Fresh vegetables can be substituted for frozen veggies.
- Cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or mini meatballs can be added.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
This is my 8 year old’s favorite soup. I added some ground beef in place of the noodles, but have made it with the noodles too. It’s great either way.
That’s such a great idea to swap the noodles for ground beef, Alex! It sounds like a hearty twist that would still keep the soup super flavorful. Glad to hear it’s a hit with your 8-year-old!
what kind of potatoes and onion did you use?
I use a yellow onion and for the potatoes any would work, I usually use russet because that’s what I have on hand. I hope this helps Sarah!
I had luck finding the ABC pasta at a local Amish store. I used chicken broth and it turned out great. Served with grilled cheese.
Sounds like the perfect meal! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Kate.
Is there a good substitute for diced tomatoes?
I have only tried the recipe as written Patty so I can’t say for sure. You could try substituting for crushed tomatoes, but it will change the flavor and texture of the soup slightly, but will still be delicious. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
where do u buy the alphabet pasta for the soup
I have previously purchased it off Amazon and also purchased it at Walmart.
Good Morning Holly, I just love all your recipes and look forward to them everyday. Love the alphabet soup recipe but I find it hard to buy the alphabet macaroni anymore. Thank goodness I did find a source. Our local fire company adds them to their chicken corn soup every year. Keep up the wonderful recipes.
Thank you Beth! You can also find the alphabet pasta on Amazon if you can’t find them locally!
Look in the Mexican section at your grocery store. They usually carry it. Or go to a Mexican grocery store. I hope this helps you.