Alphabet Soup might be the most kid-friendly and fun recipe that exists! Make a batch of this tasty soup for your kids and they’ll spell “YUM!” in their bowl.
How many of you remember your mom or dad opening a can of Campbell’s alphabet soup for you when you were little? I still vividly remember the sound of the can opener popping the top off, seeing the bright orange inside the can and watching it plop it into the soup pot to be heated. Minutes later I would be swirling my spoon in the soup trying to figure out which letter or number was which and trying to eat (or save, depending on the day) my favorites. I also remember actually finding it to be “fun food”.
I set out to make my own homemade version that’s quite a bit healthier than the alphabet soup I grew up on and I think it delivers. This homemade Alphabet Soup recipe takes no time to prepare, freezes beautifully and is perfect on cold winter nights. It’s also a great choice when you’re trying to get your kids to eat more vegetables (or learn how to spell!), but they’re being resistant.
I find soup in general to be a great way to get kids to eat and alphabet soup is especially fun for them because they can actually learn and participate in their meal. I’ve been making alphabet soup for the kids since Kenya was a baby and they love it because it’s super delicious and the most fun to eat. They chug this yummy soup like it’s a glass of water. Need I say more!
I don’t always encourage my kids to “play” with their food, but I make an exception for Alphabet Soup. Making food fun is the best way to get your kids to be more excited about eating. If your looking for more fun, kid-friendly recipe try Animal Face Toast, Egg and Bacon Bunnies, Sandwich-on-a-Stick Rainbow Roll Up Sandwiches.
Alphabet Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, finely chopped
- 1 yukon gold or waxy potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 32 ounce box vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup letter pasta
- 1/2 cup corn (I use frozen)
- 1/2 cup peas (I use frozen)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium sized pot and saute the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes and salt for 4 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, stock and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce and cook for 15 minutes.
- Bring the heat back to a boil, add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes. Add the corn and peas and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Serve.
I made this soup and added orzo pasta, because I couldn’t find alphabet noodles. It was so good! Thank you!
My daughter helped me make this today and it was so yummy! We loved it.
Ps.. This is easily my 3 year old son’s favorite soup!! 😀
I find the pasta at a local health food store.. The one I get is a tri color organic 60% wheat pasta by Eden it’s their vegetable alphabets. You can always ask your local supermarket to carry them.. Or special order you several boxes, I have a supermarket that will do special orders if they don’t have a particular item on hand or in general don’t carry it in stock..
Ask your local supermarket to carry it or special order several boxes for you..
I found them at save-a-lot in the hispanic section for 4/$1!
I haven’t been able to find them in stores lately, either! Try online?
Any suggestions on where to get the alphabet noodles? I haven’t been able to find them as of late anywhere and while i can obviously substitute other noodles in the recipe my kids love the alphabet ones the best. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
I can’t wait to make this for my little ones! What do you think of substituting sweet for yukon potatoes?
This is so easy and very tasty! My kids gobble this soup down and usually request a second bowl. I also put it in my son’s lunch box, which is a nice change from his usual sunflower butter, jelly, banana sandwich:) I usually use ditalini pasta instead of the alphabet.