Ingredients
Scale
Broth and Pasta
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup alphabet noodles (or small pasta shapes like orzo, ditalini)
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Your Veggies: Chop the carrots, celery, zucchini, onion, and garlic into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and a pleasant texture.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant, building a flavorful base for the soup.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Stir in the chopped carrots, celery, and zucchini, cooking for a couple of minutes. Then pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Let the vegetables soften and flavors meld for about 10-12 minutes.
- Cook the Noodles: Add the alphabet noodles directly into the pot once the vegetables are tender. Cook according to the package instructions, usually 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For best texture, undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue softening in the hot broth.
- Season and Serve: Season the soup with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Under-cook the Pasta Slightly: To avoid mushy noodles, cook until just tender; they will soften further in the hot soup.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Add herbs at the end to preserve their bright flavor and aroma.
- Don’t Skip Sautéing: Sautéing onion and garlic first deepens the soup’s overall flavor.
- Prep Veggies in Advance: Chop all vegetables ahead of time to speed up cooking.
- Stir Frequently: Stir to prevent noodles from clumping and sticking to the pot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: alphabet soup, vegetable soup, kid-friendly, healthy soup, quick soup, gluten-free soup, vegetable broth soup, easy dinner