Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup

Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup is a delicious spin on your fave canned soup – it's also freezer-friendly and ready in 30 minutes!

Not to be the food blogger who drones on about their childhood (please don't click away, PLEASE!!!), but I distinctly remember this as a meal I had for lunch as a kid. Alphabet soup is a '90s baby classic, and you can make it so much better at home!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Easy meal: This soup is made all in one pot in less than 30 minutes.
• Vegetarian: This meal is super filling and contains no meat!
• Healthy option: It tastes way better than the canned alphabet soup and is healthier with whole ingredients.
• Nostalgic: Who doesn't remember this soup from their childhood?!
• Kid-friendly: AND adult-friendly 🙂

Ingredients and substitutions

• Olive oil – or any other neutral cooking oil like canola or avocado oil.
• Onion – white onion, yellow onion or shallots would all work.
• Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
• White potato – try using Yukon gold, red or sweet potatoes instead.
• Italian seasoning – use a combination of oregano, basil, thyme, sage and rosemary.
• Bay leaves – oregano or thyme have a similar flavour.
• Kidney beans – black beans, pinto beans or chickpeas would all be good in this soup.
• Vegetable broth – you could also use vegetable stock or chicken broth.
• Canned diced tomatoes – fresh diced tomatoes would also work here.
• Alphabet pasta – macaroni, ditalini or orzo pasta is the next best option.
• Frozen vegetables – fresh veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, carrots and mushrooms would be good.

How to make alphabet soup

Step 1: Assemble your ingredients.

Rinse the potatoes under water to remove excess starch.

Step 2: Sauté the onions and garlic.

Add onions and garlic to a large pot and sauté.

Step 3: Add seasonings.

Stir in the potatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt and pepper.

Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients.

Add all additional ingredients to the pot.

Step 5: Simmer the soup.

Bring to a boil then simmer, stirring often, until pasta is cooked.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

Remove the bay leaves and serve.

Frequently asked questions

What vegetables are best to include?

Choose a whole variety of colourful vegetables. Carrots, celery, peas, corn, zucchini, and green beans are all good options. You can also sneak in less popular veggies like spinach or kale!

How can I make the soup healthier?

Use low-sodium broth, and don't add any additional salt. Use fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned.

How can I make alphabet vegetable soup more appealing to kids?

The alphabet pasta shape is already a big draw. I'd say you can involve kids in the cooking process – even simple tasks like stirring or adding ingredients can make them more excited to try it.

What to serve with alphabet soup

You can enjoy this soup on its own or with one of these serving suggestions:

• Garlic bread, crusty bread or homemade rolls
• Mini grilled cheese sandwiches
• Chickpea tuna salad sandwiches
• Light green salad with a homemade salad dressing

How to store and reheat

Store: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The pasta may absorb broth, so add more when reheating if needed.

Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring occasionally.

Freeze & reheat from frozen: Freeze without the pasta for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and add freshly cooked pasta before serving.

Meal prep tools for this recipe

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this soup into your weekly lunches.
• Freeze individual portions of this soup in Souper Cubes for up to 3 months.