Filled with savory tomatoes and hearty vegetables as its base, this Alphabet Soup is a fun and kid-friendly recipe that’ll nourish your little ones on those chilly autumn days. Pssst…you can even puree the veggies for any picky eaters in your family!
Alphabet Soup
Looking for a quick dinner the whole family will love? I Got You!
If you’ve ever enjoyed a can of Campbell’s classic alphabet soup when you were a kid, you’re going to swoon over this recipe. I know, I realize I said swoon and we’re talking about soup, but believe me, this soup is tasty, fun, and might I even add, CUTE?
The first time I served this soup to my kids, it took them over an hour to eat it! Not because they were dragging their feet and didn’t like it, but because they were having SO MUCH fun making words on their spoons with the letters. Every spoonful that entered their mouths had to have a word on it. Every.Single.Spoonful! Super cute! At least cute for the first 25 minutes, and then I had to get up and clean the kitchen because I was ready to move on with my night. You’ve been warned 😉
Now, when I make this soup, I make a double batch so that I can freeze some for another meal later in the month or thaw it for school lunches. And after the first serving, they do eat it a little faster.. sometimes.
Alphabet Soup
Ingredients
Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.
- Alphabet Pasta: we’re using alphabet pasta in this recipe. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try Banza Chickpea Alphabet pasta.
- Onion: white onion, diced
- Garlic: minced
- Carrot: fresh diced carrots, can also sub in frozen
- Celery: fresh diced celery
- Diced Tomato: can of diced tomatoes
- Peas: optional
- Broth: either chicken or vegetable broth will work
- Olive Oil
- Italian Seasoning: you can also substitute in dried oregano
- Salt and Pepper
With dozens of dinner recipes for kids to choose from, like my crazy good Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, The Best Kid-Friendly Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, or this reader fave , there are zero reasons to be in a dinner food slump. Be sure to also check out my best-selling cookbook, Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste, for even more inspiration!
Let’s Get Simmering
Tip: You can either puree the vegetables after cooking for a less chunky soup, which may be more approachable for picky eaters, or leave the vegetables whole for a heartier soup.
Variations
This easy Alphabet Soup is also incredibly versatile! Here are some of our favorite add-ins. If you are pureeing the base, these are great to add in afterwards.
- Peas
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Bacon
- Green Beans
- Shelled Edamame
- Cooked chicken or beans
- Mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- Stir in a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese
- Top with green onions or crispy panko breadcrumbs
Recipe Tips
- Dicing your veggies small will ensure that they cook quickly and evenly.
- You can substitute another small pasta shape if you can’t find alphabet soup or if you’re looking for a gluten-free option that isn’t chickpea-based.
- Top with a little parmesan cheese or panko breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
- You may need to add a little more broth if you’re reheating leftovers to help thin out the soup to your liking.
- If your child is hesitant to try soup, consider serving it with bread or crackers to dip into it. Serving soup in a much smaller bowl than your child is used to (think cooking prep bowl size) can also make it seem less intimidating.
- For babies, it may be beneficial to drain the liquid to help them with self-serving.
Quick Kid-Friendly Alphabet Soup with Hidden Veggies
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 sticks celery, diced
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning or dried Oregano
- 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or veggie broth
- 1 cup alphabet pasta
- 1 cup frozen peas, optional
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté: In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-low. Add in the onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add in the garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add in the carrots, celery, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and sauté for another 3-4 minutes, or until tender.
- Add Ingredients: Add the broth and diced tomatoes, and it bring to a boil over high heat.
- Puree: Meanwhile, while the soup is coming to a boil, use an immersion blender and puree until smooth. You can also transfer the ingredients to a blender and puree. For a chunky soup – omit this step.
- Pasta: Once the soup is at a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and add in the pasta. Simmer for 8 minutes.
- Add-Ins: Add in the frozen peas (if using) and simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Simmer until ready to serve. If the soup gets too thick, add in a little additional broth.
- Serve: let cool slightly if serving to kids. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
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