Description
This easy Alphabet Soup is a comforting and flavorful homemade dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Packed with diced tomatoes, mixed vegetables, and tender alphabet pasta simmered in seasoned vegetable broth, it’s a warm and nutritious soup the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 ribs celery (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes (398 ml)
- 1½ cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, green beans; about 10 ounces or 280 grams)
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup alphabet pasta (dry)
- 1 bay leaf
To Serve
- Fresh parsley for serving
- Grated parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes until they soften and begin to brown, developing a flavorful base for the soup.
- Add seasonings and tomato paste: Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, oregano, basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to release their aroma and the tomato paste to deepen in flavor.
- Add main ingredients: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juices), frozen mixed vegetables, vegetable broth, dry alphabet pasta, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil to initiate cooking of the pasta and vegetables.
- Simmer soup: Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente and vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Finish and serve: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- To keep this soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth; for a non-vegetarian version, chicken broth adds extra richness.
- You can substitute alphabet pasta with any small shaped pasta like orzo or small elbows.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth or simmer longer to concentrate flavors.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
