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Updated: December 9, 2021 / First Posted: December 9, 2021 Amy Palanjian 7 Comments

Cook up this cozy Alphabet Soup recipe the next time you want an easy meal that’s also fun! ABC pasta is a perfect addition to this kid-friendly soup—and you can tailor the veggies to the likes (or dislikes!) of your own kiddos. It’s so versatile!

Alphabet Soup

My kids are huge fans of buttered pasta and while we do have that regularly (comfort food for the win!), I do also like to make sure I’m offering them veggies too. (At least some of the time!)

This kid-friendly soup is easy, straight forward in flavor, and is a fun way to change up their plain pasta.

It reminds me of the pastina that my mom made for me as a kid (with tiny star pasta!) and so it makes me happy to serve it to my kids.

TIP: I kept the veggies simple in this recipe so that the kids can clearly see what’s in it and also so it’s easier for you to swap them out for other veggies if you prefer.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

• Butter: I like unsalted so I can season to taste with salt as needed.
• Diced carrots: Dicing them fairly smalls helps ensure that they cook quickly.
• Reduced sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• ABC pasta: This is such a fun shape and it cooks really fast.
• Frozen peas
• Salt
• Marinara sauce, optional
• Parmesan cheese, optional

TIP: We like to add the marinara and Parmesan for a little extra flavor, but it’s also good without them!

Ingredient Swaps

• Use olive oil in place of the butter to make this dairy-free.
• You can use another small pasta shape if you like.
• If your kids don’t like peas, you can skip adding them.
• The marinara and Parmesan add really nice extra flavor, but they are optional if you want this simpler.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.

1. Heat a pot over medium heat. Add the butter or oil to melt and warm.
2. Add the carrots and stir to coat. Cook until just softening
3. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.
4. Add the pasta to cook.
5. Stir in the peas and marinara sauce, if using.
6. Season to taste with salt and serve with Parmesan, if desired.

TIP: The soup thickens as it sits and absorbs the broth, which we don’t mind (and it’s easier to serve to little kids when there’s less broth). You may want to add a little more broth if you’re reheating leftovers to return it to a more soup-like consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm to serve for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.

If the pasta has absorbed all of the broth, add a little more (or use water) when reheating to return it to a more soup-like consistency. (My kids like it without much broth, so they don’t mind it though!)

Best Tips for Success

• If using any other pasta shape, check the cooking time on the package.
• Use just carrots and double the amount.
• You could add some corn, diced zucchini, diced green beans or diced tomatoes if desired, too.
• Use frozen veggie medley with carrots, green beans, corn, and peas if desired, and skip Steps 1 and 2.
• The marinara sauce adds nice extra flavor, but you can skip it if you don’t have it.
• The pasta continues to absorb the liquid as it sits, so the soup will continue to thicken. You can add more broth if desired, though the thicker soup does make it easier for the kids to eat!
• You may also like Extra-Veggie Pasta, Easy Lentil Soup, and ABC Muffins.

I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share.

This post was first published November 2020.

Favorite Alphabet Soup

Amy Palanjian

You can use ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini—or any other very small pasta shape in this recipe!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 295 kcal

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 4 cups reduced sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups ABC pasta
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup marinara sauce optional
• Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions 

• Heat a medium pot over medium heat. Add the butter or oil to melt and warm.

• Add the carrots and stir to coat. Cook for 4 minutes.

• Add the broth and turn the heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat back to medium so it’s a simmer with regular small bubbles.

• Add the pasta and cook for 5-6 minutes or until tender.

• Stir in the peas and marinara sauce, if using.

• Season to taste with salt and serve with Parmesan, if desired.

Notes

• If using any other pasta shape, check the cooking time on the package.
• Use just carrots and double the amount.
• Use frozen veggie medley with carrots, green beans, corn, and peas if desired, and skip Steps 1 and 2.
• The marinara sauce adds nice extra flavor, but you can skip it if you don’t have it. Use homemade or store bought.
• The pasta continues to absorb the liquid as it sits, so the soup will continue to thicken. You can add more broth if desired, though the thicker soup does make it easier for the kids to eat!
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 494mgPotassium: 557mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5777IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg

Filder Under:Dairy-Free, Dinner, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian