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Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

Homemade Alphabet Soup Recipe

Published: Jul 13, 2022 by Bowl Me Over · 4 Comments

Alphabet Soup is childhood favorite! This is a delicious soup recipe, great for kids and young and old!
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

With a rich tomato base and beefy filling this Alphabet Soup Recipe will take you right back to childhood! If you loved this classic soup as a kid you can now make this easy meal at home and it will taste 100 times better than the canned stuff, I promise!

After you try this recipe, I think Beef Noodle Soup should be next on the menu, enjoy!

Alphabet Soup in black bowls with spoon.
Tomato Alphabet Soup Recipe is easy to make, hearty and delicious!
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Equipment
  • FAQ
  • Things to know
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related Recipes
  • What I've learned
  • Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Because playing with your food is always fun! I dare you to enjoy make this recipe and NOT take the letters of the alphabet to spell out your name! After all - what is more fun than to play with your food?!!

It's easy to make! Alphabet Soup is simple to make, family favorite, fun meal. It was a favorite growing up and this homemade version is even better!

If you enjoy a classic can of Campbell's Soup, you'll love this simple alphabet soup recipe even more!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • sirloin steak - great flavor, tender and affordable.
  • alphabet pasta noodles - if you can't find alphabet you can certainly substitute with small pasta shape like ditalini or orzo pasta.
  • onions, carrots, celery, garlic - loads of veggies make it especially tasty.
  • fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef or vegetable broth or chicken broth - it's the perfect amount of liquids for a rich tomato flavor.
  • salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes - all go-to pantry ingredients.

Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions and cooking time. For the complete directions for homemade alphabet soup just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Dice the onions, carrots and celery. Mince the garlic, cube the beef.
  2. In a large soup pot sauté the beef over medium-high heat with seasoning until lightly browned. Add the vegetables and continue cooking for just a couple minutes.
  3. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, sauce and stock, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
  4. Cover and simmer for an hour or until the beef is tender.
  5. Bring back to a boil, add the uncooked alphabet pasta and cook until al dente.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • There's a few things you'll need for this recipe and of course the FIRST thing is Alphabet pasta for soup! If you can't find it at your local grocery store, it's available on Amazon.
  • Of course a nice soup pot, this one is gorgeous, it's stainless steel with a glass lid. So pretty!
  • You'll also need a sharp knife (this is the two piece knife set I use) to cut the veggies and a wooden spoon.
Spoon filled with pasta soup.
Alphabet Stew is so delicious! Homemade is so much better than canned!

FAQ

Who made alphabet soup?

When I was doing my research, I assumed it was made by Campbell's. Actually Knorr created Alphabet Soup first!

Where do I find alphabet pasta?

At the grocery store, the first place I would logically look for this would be the pasta aisle. But most times I find alphabet pasta with the Mexican Food near the dried beans. Of course you can also order it online and I've included a link (above).

Can I freeze this soup recipe?

Yes! If you end up with leftovers (which we never do because we eat it all!) this soup freezes great. Sealed well this Alphabet Soup Recipe will last up to three month in the freezer.

Things to know

Frozen vegetables are a great shortcut for this recipe. Don't be afraid to cut your prep time and utilize those!

Topping the soup with a freshly shredded parmesan cheese makes it even yummier!

This soup is super thick. If you'd prefer a thinner soup, add additional beef broth.

Alphabet Pasta Soup Recipe in black bowl with spoon.
Thick and filled with flavor Alphabet Pasta Soup Recipe is a family friendly meal!

Variations

  • Substitute diced turkey or chicken for the beef or even ground beef.
  • Use frozen mixed vegetables instead of fresh vegetables and pack the soup with your favorites.
  • Really any fresh veggies will work in this soup - green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, etc. just give them a small dice.
  • Can't find alphabet noodles? I'm so sorry! You can substitute with any small shaped pasta like orzo or ditalini. BUT you won't be able to spell your name and what fun is that? 🙃

Storage

  • Refrigerator - Alphabet Noodle Soup will store three to four days in the refrigerator. This is a great soup to make ahead of time as it tastes even better on day two!
  • Freezer - It freezes great and will last up to three months frozen.
  • Reheat the alphabet soup by first thawing it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Related Recipes

There are so many wonderful soup recipes to choose from, here are some of my favorites!

  • Tomato Bisque Soup Recipe - rich and delicious, this is a satisfying meal!
  • Chicken Tortellini Soup - Only 30 minutes to make with simmered all day flavor, delicious!
  • Vegetable Orzo Soup is another homemade soup recipe that's filled with vegetables. It's amazing!

If you'd like all my tips and tricks to learn to make the BEST homemade soup click here.

What I've learned

Where did the legend behind alphabet soup come from? It's Campbell’s Alphabet Soup, right?

Actually it's not. Here's what I have learned...

Urban legend states a noodle factory had an accident when making pasta. Instead of coming out as elbow pasta, it looked like the letter C. The factory was inspired and thought alphabet style pasta would be a big hit and it was! This is a fun way to enjoy a great meal!

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!  

Homemade Alphabet Soup Recipe in black bowls on counter.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup Recipe

Alphabet Soup is childhood favorite! This is a delicious soup recipe, great for kids and young and old!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time1 hr 5 mins
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: Soups and Stews
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 236kcal
Author: Deb Clark
Cost: $12
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

  • Alphabet Soup Pasta

Ingredients

  • 6 oz sirloin steak small ½ inch cubes
  • ½ cup alphabet pasta
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 14.5 oz fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes just a pinch!
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • In a large dutch oven, or stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Saute until the beef is lightly browned.
  • Add the onions, carrots and celery and saute about three minutes, just until the vegetables begins to soften.
  • Add the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef stock. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover loosely and simmer for one hour.
  • Bring the mixture back to a boil and add the alphabet pasta. Stir when adding the pasta so it doesn't clump.
  • Continue to boil, stirring often. Cook just the pasta is al dente (according to package directions).

Notes

Tips to cook Alphabet Soup Recipe

Stir the pasta while it's cooking.
  • That will ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Additionally, stirring the pasta will release the starch and help thicken the soup. 
This is a thick soup, add an additional cup of beef broth if you'd prefer a thinner soup.
Cook just to al dente. As the soup cools the pasta will continue to cook and swell in size. Though you may think it's not enough pasta, you'll see it's the perfect amount!

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 1004mg | Potassium: 690mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5204IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lois

    December 11, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    5 stars
    Every kids favorite soup and some of the rest of us to. Just a fun and tasty soup to make. Love it.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      December 14, 2017 at 10:53 am

      Thanks Lois!

      Reply
  2. Michelle

    May 10, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Love it. We used to learned how to spell with alphabet pasta. Can you tell my family's Italian?

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      May 11, 2014 at 8:50 am

      Hahaha Michelle! Love that family trivia!

      Reply

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