Description
Cozy homemade Alphabet Soup! Classic comfort food with veggies, chicken, and alphabet pasta in flavorful broth. Perfect for all ages!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup alphabet pasta
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (optional, but highly recommended!)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent and softened.
- Add Carrots and Celery: Add diced carrots and celery. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are slightly tender.
- Garlic Power: Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the Goodness: Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes (undrained). Stir to combine.
- Seasoning Time: Add Italian seasoning, oregano, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 15 minutes (or up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor).
- Pasta Power: Add alphabet pasta to the simmering soup. Stir well.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes), until al dente.
- Chicken Time: If using, add shredded chicken during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Pea-fection: Add frozen peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste and add salt to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Vegetarian Version: Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and omit the chicken. Add other vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Different Pasta Shapes: Use ditalini or orzo.
- Add Beans: Add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or kidney beans.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt into each bowl before serving.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Instead of dried herbs, use fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary for a more vibrant flavor. Just remember to add them towards the end of the cooking time to preserve their flavor.
- Roast the Vegetables: For an even deeper flavor, roast the carrots, celery, and onion before adding them to the soup. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re tender and slightly caramelized.
- Slow Cooker Option: This soup can also be made in a slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients (except the pasta, peas, and parsley) to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the pasta and peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
- Freezing Instructions: Alphabet soup freezes well. Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Leave some headspace in the containers, as the soup will expand when frozen. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the soup in the refrigerator overnight or in a pot over low heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes