Description
Nostalgic alphabet soup brings childhood memories to life with playful pasta letters dancing in a comforting broth. Hearty vegetables and savory seasonings combine to create a delightful meal you’ll crave from first spoonful to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta:
- 1 1/2 cups alphabet pasta
Instructions
- In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium heat, creating a sizzling base for the vegetables. Introduce chopped onions, diced carrots, and celery, allowing them to dance and soften for approximately 5 minutes until onions turn translucent.
- Incorporate minced garlic and let it release its aromatic essence for one minute, infusing the foundation with rich flavor.
- Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes, accompanied by oregano, thyme, and a bay leaf. Gently coax the mixture into a delicate simmer, allowing the herbs to meld and intensify.
- Sprinkle alphabet pasta into the bubbling liquid, stirring intermittently. Cook for 8-10 minutes, ensuring the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture with a subtle bite.
- Introduce frozen peas to the pot, stirring them into the warm soup. Let them heat through for 2-3 minutes, adding a burst of vibrant color and sweet freshness.
- Extract the bay leaf and taste the soup, calibrating the seasoning with salt and pepper to your preference. Ladle into bowls and, if desired, crown with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a dusting of cheese.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta for gluten-free alphabet pasta to create a celiac-friendly version of this comforting soup.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like diced zucchini or spinach during the sautéing stage for more vitamins and color.
- Enhance flavor depth by using homemade vegetable broth instead of store-bought, which provides a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Make this soup more protein-packed by stirring in cooked shredded chicken or white beans during the final cooking stage for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg