Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup is a delightful dish that brings comfort and warmth to any table. It’s a colorful and hearty soup filled with tasty vegetables and fun alphabet pasta. This soup is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a great choice for families and individuals alike.
Why Make This Recipe
Making your own Alphabet Vegetable Soup is a wonderful way to control the ingredients and flavors. You can customize it to suit your tastes, using your favorite veggies or whatever you have on hand. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak more vegetables into your diet. It’s simple to prepare, perfect for chilly days, and can be a fun way to engage kids in the kitchen!
How to Make Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1/2 of a large onion)
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 8 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
- 3-4 cups frozen, canned, or fresh vegetables
- 1 medium potato, peeled & chopped (1 heaping cup)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 1 cup dry alphabet pasta
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a 5-quart (or larger) pot or Dutch oven.
- Add the garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, thyme, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the onion softens.
- Add the broth, vegetables, potato, bay leaf, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add uncooked alphabet pasta. Cover and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve the soup warm and top it with fresh parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, pour the soup into a pot over medium heat until warm. Add more broth if needed as it can thicken in the fridge.
How to Serve Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup
This soup can be served in bowls with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top. Consider offering some crusty bread or crackers on the side for dipping. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a comforting snack!
How to Store Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup
To store any leftovers, let the soup cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it in freezer-safe containers for up to three months.
Tips to Make Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup
- Feel free to mix and match your vegetables based on what you like or have available.
- For a thicker soup, add more potatoes or adjust the amount of broth.
- Consider adding some cooked meat, like chicken or beef, for extra protein.
Variations
You can easily adapt the soup by using different types of pasta or adding beans for extra fiber. If you want a spicier kick, consider adding some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
FAQs
Can I use any type of broth for this recipe?
Yes, you can use beef, chicken, or vegetable broth depending on your preference or dietary needs.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
Simply use vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken broth, and ensure that all your vegetables and pasta are also vegetarian-friendly.
Can I freeze Alphabet Vegetable Soup?
Yes, you can freeze the soup. Just make sure to leave some space in the container, as the soup may expand when frozen. To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it on the stovetop.
Alphabet Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
Base ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil For sautéing
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1/2 of a large onion)
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Liquids and vegetables
- 8 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable broth Use according to dietary preference
- 3-4 cups frozen, canned, or fresh vegetables Mix and match as desired
- 1 medium potato, peeled & chopped (1 heaping cup)
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
Pasta
- 1 cup dry alphabet pasta
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a 5-quart (or larger) pot or Dutch oven.
- Add the garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, thyme, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the onion softens.
Cooking
- Add the broth, vegetables, potato, bay leaf, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add uncooked alphabet pasta. Cover and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
