Alphabet Vegetable Soup – The Healthy Epicurean

A quick and simple soup with alphabet pasta, frozen veggies, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, Italian herbs and spices and a flavorful broth.

It’s perfect for the kiddos, but let me tell you – the whole family will enjoy it!

Featured Ingredients

• Aromatics: Onion, garlic and some of the veggies in the frozen mix.
• Herbs and spices: Italian seasoning, oregano/basil, salt, black pepper and parsley.
• Alphabet pasta: They just bring me back to my childhood!
• Stock: Unsalted chicken or vegetable works best.
• Diced tomatoes: A can of petite diced, regular or fire-roasted.
• Beans: An optional ingredient, but adds more fiber and some protein.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot to medium heat.
2. Add the onion and sauté 3-4 minutes or until the onion is starting to soften.
3. Stir in the vegetables and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
4. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano and/or basil, salt and black pepper and sauté 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
5. Stir in the pasta, stock, tomatoes, bouillon (if using) and chickpeas or beans (if using).
6. Bring to a simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
7. Stir in the dried parsley (if using).
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
9. Serve in bowls.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

• For the onions: For a shortcut, use frozen diced onions.
• For the vegetables: Use any combination of vegetables you enjoy.
  • They can be frozen, canned or fresh (just be sure they’re bite-size and are cooked through before you serve the soup).
• For the pasta: Use any small shaped pasta. For more fiber, try a whole grain version.
• For the salt: Adjust how much or how little you want to add.
• For the stock: Use unsalted or low sodium store-bought or make your own from scratch.
• For the tomatoes: Petite or standard diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes will work for this soup.
• For more protein: Add chickpeas or white beans and/or ground turkey or pork Italian sausage.

Nutrition Considerations

• To make this gluten free: Use gluten free pasta.
  • Be sure all other ingredients you choose are gluten free.
• To make this dairy free: This recipe does not contain dairy.
• To make this vegan: Use vegetable stock and vegetable bouillon (if using).
• To make this nut free: This recipe does not contain nuts.
  • Be sure all ingredients you choose are nut free.
• To make this egg free: This recipe does not contain eggs.
• To make this even lower in sodium: Omit the salt or use less.

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