Easy Homemade Alphabet Soup Recipe
I remember having alphabet soup as a kid and trying to find the letters in my name floating in the broth. But the soup was from a can and honestly other than the “fun” factor with the letters, the soup itself was lackluster as many canned soups are. Fast forward to this homemade 30-minute alphabet soup which has tender alphabet pasta, a tomato flavored broth, and plenty of vegetables include carrots, corn, peas, and green beans. It’s similar in flavor to my Easy 30-Minute Minestrone Soup (which is an Olive Garden restaurant copycat), minus the beans. This alphabet soup with vegetables is not only quick to prepare, it’s also easy. This one pot wonder is perfect for busy work and school nights and is something that kids and adults alike enjoy. Plus it’s healthier than the canned alternatives. This is a vegan soup if you make it with vegetable broth rather than chicken broth. Of course, also check the ingredients in the pasta if you’re concerned with it being vegan or vegetarian.
Ingredients in Alphabet Vegetable Soup
Making alphabet soup at home requires a variety of ingredients but all of these fridge and pantry ingredients are easy to find and inexpensive including the following:
Olive oil Yellow onion Celery stalks Garlic cloves Frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, green beans) Tomato paste Italian seasoning Dried thyme Dried oregano Dried basil Kosher salt Black pepper Canned diced tomatoes Vegetable or chicken broth Bay leaf Alphabet pasta Lemon juice Fresh parsley, optional for garnishing Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Alphabet Soup in 30 Minutes
When you’re pressed for time, the thought of making a long and drawn out homemade soup recipe can be daunting. However, this is not one of those types of recipes! This homemade soup ready is ready from start to finish in 30 minutes. Follow my straightforward steps for the best alphabet soup. Step 1: To a large Dutch oven, soup pot, or stock pot, add the olive oil, onion, celery (if you’re using fresh carrots add them now), and saute for 5 minutes. Step 2: Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Step 3: Add the frozen vegetables, tomato paste, and all the seasonings, salt, pepper, and stir. Step 4: Add the tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 8 minutes. Step 5: Add the dry alphabet pasta and cook for 7 to 9 minutes or until tender. Tip – Don’t overcook! Step 6: Add the lemon juice. Step 7: Remove the bay leaf, taste for seasoning and salt balance, and optionally garnish with parsley and Parmesan before serving. It’s hard to believe that something so simple can have such a big effect, but it does. So don’t skip it! In a pinch lime juice or apple cider vinegar will also work.
Where to Buy Alphabet Soup Pasta
I was unsure if my regular grocery store even carried dry alphabet noodles, but they do.
Can I Use Other Pasta or Noodles?
If for some reason you can’t find alphabet shaped pasta noodles, or you don’t want to use them and want to use another shape of dry pasta or noodles, feel free. Small-shaped pasta including the following will work:
Small shells Wheels Ziti Rotoni Orzo
Note that different pasta will absorb different quantities of broth so you will need to play it by ear and adjust accordingly, potentially adding more liquid than the recipes calls for.
Serving Suggestions
If you want to be classic, I recommend serving your easy alphabet soup with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Another crave-worthy side are my Stuffed Cheese Rolls. However, a BLT Chopped Salad would also be a good pairing.
Storage Suggestions for Leftover Soup
Most soups keep very well, in both the refrigerator or freezer. If you have leftover alphabet vegetable soup, it’ll keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Expert Tips for the Best 30-Minute Homemade Alphabet Soup
Frozen Vegetables
I use a 10-ounce bag of frozen vegetables for the soup. This makes things fast, easy, convenient, and inexpensive. Pasta or noodles in soup will always absorb the broth as the soup sits. Some pasta is just more absorbent, or more of a “sponge” than other types. If this is an issue for you, just add more broth to your leftover bowl of soup as desired and then adjust the salt and pepper balance, too. Specifically, I use a medley of carrots, corn, peas, green beans. However, if come across a medley with slightly different vegetables, I’m sure it will be just fine.
No Need to Thaw
You don’t need to thaw the veggies fully before adding them to the soup. Simply take the bag out from the freezer and set it onto your counter while you’re sautéing the onions and celery and then add the frozen veggies right into your pot.
Broth
I use reduced sodium vegetable broth for this easy alphabet soup recipe. However, you can also use chicken broth. I recommend using reduced, lower, or no-salt added broth – in either vegetable or chicken broth. That way you can control the sodium more easily.
Adding Protein
If you want to increase the protein content of alphabet soup with vegetables, you can do so easily with the following additions:
1 to 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or shredded poached chicken A can of drained and rinsed garbanzo beans or cannellini beans 1 cup shelled frozen edamame added when you add the alphabet pasta
Salt to Taste
Before serving the soup, make sure you are happy with the salt balance. Canned soups and soups in restaurants are usually packed with sodium which does help give them lots of flavor. Don’t be shy with adding more salt, to taste, if your soup tastes at all flat or boring.
More Quick and Easy Soup Recipes:
Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup – Classic, comforting, and tastes just like grandma made but way easier and faster! This soup is AMAZING and it’ll be your new favorite recipe! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Easy 30-Minute Kale, White Bean, and Chicken Soup – Loaded with juicy chicken, healthy kale, and tender beans! Easy, hearty, and satisfying! Love it when something healthy tastes so good! 30-Minute Chicken and Vegetable Mediterranean Soup — An EASY soup that’s both HEALTHY and HEARTY!! Loaded with tender chicken, vegetables, garbanzo beans, and more! Ready so fast and it’s perfect for busy chilly winter weeknights!! Easy 30-Minute Chicken Vegetable Soup — Extra veggies instead of noodles in this HEALTHY, easy chicken soup that’s so FAST to make!! Hearty, filling, and satisfying! Perfect for weeknight dinners and chilly nights!! Weight Loss Vegetable Soup – Trying to shed some pounds or get healthier? Try this easy, flavorful soup that’s ready in 30 minutes and loaded with veggies! Very filling and hearty! Zero WW points! Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup — This minestrone soup recipe takes just 30 minutes to make and it’s way better than what you get at Olive Garden! Homemade always wins in my book! Easy 30-Minute Vegetable and Mushroom Soup — Healthy, light yet satisfying, and full of rich savory flavor!! An Asian-inspired twist on vegetable soup that you’ll LOVE!! Healthy Chickpea Vegetable Soup — Perfect for resetting after indulging!! Low in calories but high in nutrients and fiber! Easy, ready in 30 minutes, hearty, HEALTHY, and tastes AWESOME!!
