It is FINALLY cooling off in Austin and the soup recipes are still in full force.

This one feels nostalgic – it sort of reminds me of spaghettios back when I was a kid, but also has a cozy Italian pastina feel to it. I have a feeling you’re going to like it!

Kids love it, adults love it, and it’s an excellent way to get in those veggies. 

Feel free to check out my other soup recipes that I’ve created for my series “Soups that don’t suck” – I’ll list them all below!

Italian Broccoli Parmesan Soup

Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup

French Onion Soup 

Garlic Soup

Butternut Ravioli Soup

Caramelized Lemon Chicken Soup

How to prep Hidden Vegetable Alphabet Soup:

I like to get all my mise en place ready to go so we can just throw everything in the pot when it’s go time. Here’s the prep:

• Celery: chop one stalk in half
• Carrot: peel and chop in half (discarding the stem)
• Garlic: peel 3 cloves
• Onion: white or yellow onion will work – peel and chop in half (discarding the stem)
• Leek: discard dark green part, chop the bulb in half (discarding the stem)

How to make Hidden Vegetable Alphabet Soup:

Let’s go step-by-step and dig into how to make this cozy bowl of soup:

Step One:

Add the vegetable stock and water to a large pot and start bringing to a boil. Add chopped celery, carrot, leek, onion, garlic cloves and bay leaf. Once it comes to a boil, partially cover and simmer for 30 minutes (or until vegetables are tender).

Step Two:

Once tender, remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and transfer to a blender. Remove the bay leaf entirely. Add 1-2 cups of the vegetable broth to the blender as well and blend until smooth.

Step Three:

Pour the blended vegetables back into the vegetable broth and keep simmering on low. 

Step Four:

In a small bowl, add the tomato paste and dilute with some of the hot vegetable stock to thin it out while stirring. Add this tomato paste mixture to the pot and stir.

Step Five:

Add in alphabet pasta (or any small pasta of your choice) and continue to stir. Cook until pasta is tender and to your liking. 

Step Six:

Add a generous hit of salt, and then pepper and lemon juice to taste.

Step Seven:

Option to garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and/or shaved parmesan.

Substitutions:

While this recipe is fantastic as is, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your taste and dietary needs.

1. Stock Varieties: Swap vegetable stock for chicken or beef broth if you prefer a different flavor profile. For a homemade touch, consider making your own stock from scratch.
2. Pasta Choices: Experiment with different pasta shapes or types to add a unique twist. Gluten-free options like rice or quinoa pasta work well for those with dietary restrictions.
3. Aromatic Vegetables: Feel free to substitute or add other veggies!
4. Tomato Paste Alternatives: If you’re out of tomato paste, a small can of crushed tomatoes or even a couple of fresh tomatoes can be blended in for a similar effect.
5. Herb Additions: Elevate the flavor by incorporating herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil according to your personal taste.

How to store this Hidden Vegetable Alphabet Soup?

1. Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
2. Freezing for Future Meals: To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Leave some space for expansion. It can be stored for up to 3 months.
3. Reheating Tips: When reheating, do it gently over low to medium heat to prevent overcooking. Add a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much.

If you end up trying this recipe out, please tag me @britacooks on social media so I can see your lovely creations!