Alphabet Vegetable Soup Recipe
Step into my kitchen where childhood nostalgia meets veggie bliss in a delicious bowl of homemade alphabet soup that even your inner child will love. Time to gather your ingredients and let’s dive into the coziest soup adventure ever!
Vegetable soup is good. Alphabet Vegetable Soup is better.
Simple, yet comforting. Nutritious ingredients, like carrots, zucchinis, and green beans, connect you to Nature in vitamins and minerals.
With a base of olive oil, onions, and garlic, this soup doesn’t skimp on flavor. And you have to love how fresh parsley finishes it.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Healthy fat helping to reduce inflammation.
- Onion: Adds flavor; contains antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Garlic: Rich in allicin, supports immune function.
- Carrots: Sweetness, beta-carotene, and fiber provider.
- Celery: Crunchy and low-calorie; provides antioxidants.
- Zucchini: Low-calorie, high in fiber and vitamin C.
- Green Beans: Source of fiber, vitamins, and iron.
- Red Bell Pepper: Sweet, rich in vitamin A and C.
- Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity; rich in lycopene.
- Vegetable Broth: Base for the soup, contains essential minerals.
- Alphabet Pasta: Fun, provides carbohydrates for energy.
- Thyme: Aromatic herb; adds earthy flavor.
- Basil: Sweet herb with vitamins A and K.
- Pepper: Adds mild heat and flavor enhancement.
- Frozen Peas: Sweetness and protein, with fiber.
- Parsley: Freshness, vitamin K, and antioxidant-rich.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup alphabet pasta
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make this
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until it is translucent.
2. Add garlic (minced), carrots (diced), and celery (diced) to the pot. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the diced zucchini, green beans, and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Add the can of diced tomatoes (with the liquid) and the vegetable broth. Mix thoroughly to achieve a consistent blend.
5. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Then, turn the heat down so the soup is just simmering.
6. Include the dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the soup simmer for approximately 15 minutes, permitting the flavors to meld.
7. Incorporate the alphabet pasta and cook according to the instructions on the pasta package, which is generally about 7-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
8. Incorporate the frozen peas into the mixture, and follow with an additional 2 minutes of cooking time, so that they reach their proper temperature.
9. Take the pot off the heat and mix in the fresh parsley, which should be chopped.
10. Savor the soup and modify the spices if needed. Dine on it while it is fresh and hot. If you desire, add a sprig or two of additional parsley as garnish.
Equipment Needed
1. Large pot
2. Wooden spoon or spatula
3. Chef’s knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cups
7. Ladle
FAQ
- What type of pasta can I use for Alphabet Vegetable Soup?Any small pasta can be used if you can’t find alphabet pasta. Small shells or orzo work well.
- Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?Indeed, you can replace canned tomatoes with roughly 2 cups of freshly diced tomatoes.
- How can I make this soup gluten-free?To make the soup gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Make sure that all the other ingredients—like broth—are certified gluten-free.
- Can I add other vegetables to this soup?Of course, you can add any seasonal vegetables you like, such as spinach, kale, or sweet corn, depending on your individuality.
- How do I store leftovers?Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days as long as they’re in an airtight container. If you want to reheat them, do so on the stove or in the microwave. You can also eat them cold, as long as they weren’t fried.
- Can I freeze the soup?Certainly, it is possible to freeze the soup; however, when it comes time to serve, it is preferable to cook the pasta separately in order to maintain its texture. If you were to freeze the soup with the pasta in it, the pasta would become mushy upon reheating, ruining the soup experience.
- What can I use to garnish the soup?Sprinkling some Parmesan cheese or using fresh parsley makes a great garnish with added flavor.
Alphabet Vegetable Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations
1 leek, white and light green parts only, diced
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 medium yellow squash, diced
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
→ 1 cup chopped asparagus
2 eggs, beaten
→ 2 whole chicken eggs
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ 1/2 cup shredded extra sharp aged cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter
→ 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon butter
1 teaspoon dried oregano → 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Pro Tips
1. Sauté for Flavor: Before adding the garlic, carrots, and celery in step 2, make sure your onions are truly translucent and even slightly golden. This will deepen the flavor base of your soup.
2. Layering Spices: Consider adding the dried thyme and basil to the sautéed vegetables in step 3. This allows the herbs to bloom in the oil, enhancing their flavors before being incorporated with the broth.
3. Control the Simmer: Keep a close eye on the boil and simmer (steps 5 and 6). A gentle simmer will allow the flavors to meld without making the vegetables mushy.
4. Pasta Timing: Add the pasta a few minutes before the soup is ready to be served, rather than too early. This helps prevent the pasta from absorbing too much broth and becoming overly soft.
5. Herb Enhancement: Reserve a bit of the fresh parsley to sprinkle on top of each bowl just before serving. This fresh burst of flavor enhances the taste and serves as a vibrant garnish.
Alphabet Vegetable Soup Recipe
My favorite Alphabet Vegetable Soup Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot
2. Wooden spoon or spatula
3. Chef’s knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cups
7. Ladle
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup alphabet pasta
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until it is translucent.
2. Add garlic (minced), carrots (diced), and celery (diced) to the pot. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the diced zucchini, green beans, and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Add the can of diced tomatoes (with the liquid) and the vegetable broth. Mix thoroughly to achieve a consistent blend.
5. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Then, turn the heat down so the soup is just simmering.
6. Include the dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the soup simmer for approximately 15 minutes, permitting the flavors to meld.
7. Incorporate the alphabet pasta and cook according to the instructions on the pasta package, which is generally about 7-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
8. Incorporate the frozen peas into the mixture, and follow with an additional 2 minutes of cooking time, so that they reach their proper temperature.
9. Take the pot off the heat and mix in the fresh parsley, which should be chopped.
10. Savor the soup and modify the spices if needed. Dine on it while it is fresh and hot. If you desire, add a sprig or two of additional parsley as garnish.