Healthy Homemade 30-Minute Alphabet Soup

5 from 1 vote

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My famous healthy homemade alphabet soup is super easy to make, packed with vegetables, kid-approved, and done in 30 minutes or less.

a spoon scooping out the word "yum" out of alphabet soup.

Choosing healthy options for your family doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive, and today’s recipe proves that point. You are going to love this healthy, 30-minute alphabet soup. It’s kid-tested and healthy mama-approved. If putting a healthy meal on the table is quick and easy, then you have no reason not to!

There is something magical about alphabet soup. Having all those fun letters hiding in it makes it so easy to dig into. My little ones love finding the letters to their names, and if they happen to eat tons of vegetables while doing so, I’m not going to complain. This soup is thick and hearty without being heavy. With just the right amount of seasoning and a magical sweetness that comes from the use of ripe tomatoes in the tomato juice, this soup is going to please even the pickiest eaters.

pot of healthy alphabet soup with ladle.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s super easy to make on a night when you have little to no time or you can even make it ahead for a day you know you’ll need that extra 30 minutes.
  • This recipe is a classic that all taste buds love. It’s hearty and healthy, perfect for your growing babies.
  • If you’re a meat lover or you just want to add some protein you could totally treat this like a beef and veggie stew!

Recipe Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Onion and garlic — powder can work in a pinch
  • Vegetable or chicken broth this can be a vegetarian recipe!
  • Tomato sauce
  • Diced tomatoes — all vegetables can be fresh, canned, or frozen!
  • Green beans
  • Peas and carrots
  • Whole kernel corn
  • Parsley dried or fresh works for both the basil and parsley
  • Basil
  • Alphabet noodles any kind of noodles work if you just want to make a veggie soup

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

top view of ingredients of alphabet soup.

How to Make Healthy Homemade 30-Minute Alphabet Soup

saute onions in the bottom of a cast iron pot.
top view of alphabet soup in red cast iron pot spooning out.

Step 1: In a large pot, heat the olive oil and onion over medium-high heat until the onion is cooked through and translucent. Then Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

Step 2: Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with the juice), green beans, peas and carrots, corn, parsley, basil, and salt.

ladle scooping out alphabet soup from a crock pot.

Step 3: Continue to heat until the mixture is boiling. Add the alphabet noodles and simmer for 10 minutes.

Recipe FAQs

What’s in homemade alphabet soup?

Only the best, yummiest flavors! I make alphabet soup using fresh onion and garlic for rich flavor; veggie or chicken broth and tomato sauce for a savory broth; canned diced tomatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, and corn for a slew of veggie power; alphabet noodles of course; plus fresh parsley, dried basil, salt and pepper for additional flavor.

How do you store leftover alphabet soup?

Allow your soup to cool completely before ladling it into an airtight container and storing in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it with great success for up to 3 months.

Why is it called alphabet soup?

Alphabet soup has long been a family favorite meal, and it’s named for the letter-shaped noodles that make it so fun and creative!

How do you make alphabet soup less thick?

If you prefer a thinner broth, you can simply add a cup of water or up to two cups more broth and adjust the seasonings to ensure they don’t get overpowered by the extra liquid.

top view of alphabet soup in red cast iron pot spooning out.

Expert Tips

  • This soup is pretty thick, just the way I like it. If you’d like it less thick add a second can of water and adjust the seasoning to taste.
  • You can find the alphabet letters near other pasta or in the Hispanic foods section of the grocery store.
  • If you prefer a creamy texture, blend a portion of the soup (using an immersion blender or regular blender) and then mix it back in. Alternatively, add a splash of cream or coconut milk.

More Soup Recipes to Consider

a spoon scooping out the word "yum" out of alphabet soup
5 from 1 vote

Healthy 30 Minute Alphabet Soup

My famous alphabet soup is super easy to make, packed with vegetables, kid-approved, and done in 30 minutes or less.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 carton vegetable or chicken broth, (32 ounce)
  • 1 can tomato sauce, (14.5 ounce)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 ounce)
  • 1 can green beans, (14.5 ounce, drained)
  • 1 can peas and carrots, (14.5 ounce, drained)
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, (14.5 ounce, drained)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 bag alphabet noodles, (7 ounce)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
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Instructions 

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil and onion over medium-high heat until the onion is cooked through and translucent, about 5 minutes. 
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
  • Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with the juice), green beans, peas and carrots, corn, parsley, basil, and salt.
  • Continue to heat until the mixture is boiling. Add the alphabet noodles and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir frequently. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to rest for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy right away.

Video

Notes

  • Dice and sauté a variety of vegetables to add texture, color, and nutrients to your soup. Classic choices include onions, carrots, celery, and diced tomatoes. You can also add spinach, peas, corn, or any other vegetables you enjoy.
  • This is a great dinner to add some Super Simple No-Knead Bread or some Quick and Easy Sweet Potato Biscuitsboth are great options that my kids love.
  • Add vegetables to the pot based on their cooking times. Harder vegetables like carrots and potatoes should go in earlier, while softer vegetables like spinach and peas can be added towards the end to avoid them becoming mushy
  • The alphabet or star-shaped pasta is to the fun of this soup. You can find these in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 8 servings, Calories: 110kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 1429mg, Potassium: 503mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1038IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 59mg, Iron: 2mg
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235 Comments

  1. joseph gersch jr says:

    I stock green beans and corn

  2. Carolsue says:

    My most-stocked item is diced and stewed tomatoes because I use them so often in cooking!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  3. mickeyfan says:

    I always have a variety of beans, plus some form of canned tomatoes, and usually corn and peaches.

  4. Danielle F. says:

    We love to stock up on canned peaches, fruit cocktail, corn, garbanzo beans, waxed beans and my favorite, sliced beets.

  5. AnnaZed says:

    Tomatoes, peaches, corn, green beans, pineapple – I use them all.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

  6. One Frugal Girl says:

    Corn, fire roasted tomatoes and peaches.
    onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com