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-in-blue-bowl

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 soup 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.

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.

(You may also like my Chicken Noodle SoupTurkey Noodle SoupMacaroni Soup and Chicken and Stars Soup recipes.)

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Ingredients You Need

To make this Alphabet Soup recipe, you’ll need the following simple ingredients on hand and ready to go.

ingredients in alphabet soup
  • 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: Either one works here.
  • ABC pasta: This is such a fun shape and it cooks really fast.
  • Frozen peas: If you want to save a step, you can start with a frozen pea and carrots mixture.
  • Salt, marinara sauce, and Parmesan: These are optional to add more flavor.

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 Alphabet Soup recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.

Butter being melted in pot for alphabet soup.

Step 1. Heat a pot over medium heat. Add the butter or oil to melt and warm.

Carrots in pot for alphabet soup.

Step 2. Add the carrots and stir to coat. Cook until just softening. (You can skip these two first steps if using all frozen veggies.)

Broth with veggies in pot for alphabet soup.

Step 3. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.

Alphabet soup in pot on burner.

Step 4. Add the pasta to cook.

Spoon stirring veggies in pot for alphabet soup.

Step 5. Stir in the peas and marinara sauce, if using.

Alphabet soup in pot being stirred with wooden spoon.

Step 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.

alphabet-soup-on-bib

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pasta works best in this recipe?

If you can’t find ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini (or any other very small pasta shape) work. Smaller shapes cook quickly and are easier to eat with a spoon than larger pieces of pasta.

Where can I find alphabet pasta?

I can find it at one of my regular small town grocery stores, but if you can’t find it, you can order it from La Moderna. Target also sells little star pasta from their store brand in a blue package that it’s a good option too!

Which other vegetables work?

You can make this with just carrots (just double the amount) or frozen veggie medley to save some time on chopping. You could add some corn, diced zucchini, diced green beans or diced tomatoes if desired, too.

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover alphabet soup 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 and peas 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.
  • Find Alphabet Pasta on Amazon, or look in the pasta aisle in your store or in the “ethnic” foods aisle—one of the larger brands who makes it is Mexican, La Moderna, so sometimes it is shelved with other Mexican-made products.

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

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alphabet-soup-in-blue-bowl

Favorite Alphabet Soup

You can use ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini—or any other very small pasta shape in this Alphabet Soup recipe. And you can start with fresh or frozen veggies. See below for options.
4.97 from 56 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dinner
Calories 295kcal
Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cups ABC pasta (or other small pasta shape)
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup marinara sauce (optional)
  • Parmesan cheese (optional)
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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.
  • (To make this with frozen carrots and peas, skip Steps 1 and 2 and start with Step 3.)
  • 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.

Video

Notes

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm to serve, adding more broth or water as you like (the pasta will likely absorb all of the broth in the storage container).
  • If using any other pasta shape, check the cooking time on the package and adjust accordingly.
  • Use just carrots and double the amount.
  • Use frozen carrots and peas 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.
  • Find Alphabet Pasta here or look in the pasta aisle in your supermarket.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 494mg, Potassium: 557mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 5777IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

This post was first published November 2020.

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4.97 from 56 votes (39 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was a hit with my 1 and 3 year old (who claims he doesn’t like carrots but ate them all up without realizing). I added salt to mine and was a yummy adult dinner as well. Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you! My 14 month old loved it, and he could easily scoop with his hands too..still working on the spoon. Perfect soup for him! We’ve enjoyed every recipe we’ve tried. Always delicious, easy and nutritious! By far my favorite place to get recipes and ideas for him!

  3. 5 stars
    made this today and added a cup of your veggie broth I had in the freezer. extra veggies for the win and it was so yum

  4. 5 stars
    Made this with your homemade vegetable broth today. It was was easy and looks great. 3yo liked it when I made it with store bought broth, fingers crossed he’ll like this too 🤞

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