Alphabet Soup
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.
This Alphabet Soup is a simple, nourishing recipe that brings all the comfort of a classic vegetable soup with the fun of tiny alphabet pasta mixed through. Made with everyday ingredients and packed with soft veggies, it’s a gentle, child-friendly meal that works for toddlers, school-aged kids, and grown-ups too.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe
- Packed with soft veggies that blend into the background — great for cautious eaters
- Fun alphabet pasta keeps kids interested and engaged
- Flexible base recipe — add chicken, mince, beans, or meatballs
- Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of extra stock
Ingredients You Will Need
Ingredient Notes, Substitutes, & Allergy Swaps
- Onion, carrot, celery — the classic soup trio for flavour. Grating the onion or carrot makes the texture extra smooth for younger eaters.
- Potato — helps naturally thicken the broth without needing cream or flour. Try sweet potato it adds a little extra sweetness while still thickening.
- Crushed tomatoes — add richness and colour; swap for diced tomatoes if needed.
- Chicken or vegetable stock — choose low-sodium if cooking for babies or toddlers.
- Alphabet pasta — any small pasta works: stars, orzo/risoni, tiny shells, or mini macaroni.
- Frozen peas & corn — easy veggie boosters that cook in under 2 minutes.
- Optional proteins — shredded chicken, cooked mince, white beans, or baked mini meatballs.
- Salt & pepper — add only to adult servings (babies under 12 months should avoid added salt).
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Top Tips
Here is how you can make this Alphabet Soup perfectly every time!
- Grate the onion or carrot for a smoother soup toddlers find easier to manage.
- Cut veggies small — they soften quicker and blend into the broth.
- Stir the pasta regularly so it doesn’t settle at the bottom.
- Add extra stock when reheating — the pasta absorbs liquid as it sits.
- For a protein boost: add shredded chicken, cooked mince, white beans, or baked meatballs.
- Season adult servings separately so babies and toddlers stay low-sodium.
- This soup is lovely with a little grated cheese in the bottom of the bowl, or a good sprinkling of parmesan cheese on the top.
How to Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby Led Weaning
- Use low-sodium stock, homemade bone broth or replace some stock with water.
- Keep veggies very soft — they should mash easily between your fingers.
- Offer pasta pieces that are soft and appropriately sized for age and chewing ability.
- Skip added salt and offer seasoning only at the table for adults.
- For beginners, you can blend, lightly mash the soup or strain out thicker pieces before adding the alphabet pasta.
- Preload baby spoons for self feeding, or even better let your little one explore the textures with their hands.
Alphabet Soup
A simple, veggie-packed Alphabet Soup made with tiny pasta, soft vegetables, and a gentle tomato base. Kid-friendly, comforting, and easy to customise.
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 117kcal
RATE THIS RECIPE
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- 1 small onion finely diced (or grated if serving very cautious eaters)
- 1-2 carrots finely diced or grated
- 1 stalk celery finely diced (optional but adds great flavour)
- 1 small potato peeled + finely diced (helps create natural thickness)
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (400g / 14oz)
- 4 cups chicken stock/broth or vegetable stock
- ½ cup alphabet pasta or any tiny pasta shape, risoni for example
- 1 cup peas and corn frozen
- Salt + Pepper To taste for adults and older childrren
Optional Add Ins
- cooked shredded chicken
- cooked minced beef
- white beans
Instructions
- Sauté the veggiesHeat the oil or butter in a large pot. Add onion, carrot, celery, and potato. Cook for 5–6 minutes, until softened. Keep the heat gentle to avoid browning — kids tend to prefer the milder flavour.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and stock. Stir to combine. Bring the soup to a simmer.Simmer until soft
- Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables are very soft.Option: For a smoother texture, mash lightly with a potato masher.
- Stir in the alphabet pasta and cook for 6–8 minutes, or until tender. Stir regularly so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Add frozen peas or corn and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Season for adults if neededKeep babies’ and toddlers’ portions low-sodium. Adults can season at the table.Serve warmThe pasta will continue to thicken the soup as it sits — add a splash of water or stock when reheating.
Notes
- Grate the onion or carrot for a smoother soup toddlers find easier to manage.
- Cut veggies small — they soften quicker and blend into the broth.
- Stir the pasta regularly so it doesn’t settle at the bottom.
- Add extra stock when reheating — the pasta absorbs liquid as it sits.
- For a protein boost: add shredded chicken, cooked mince, white beans, or baked meatballs.
- Season adult servings separately so babies and toddlers stay low-sodium.
- This soup is lovely with a little grated cheese in the bottom of the bowl, or a good sprinkling of parmesan cheese on the top.
- Onion, carrot, celery — the classic soup trio for flavour. Grating the onion or carrot makes the texture extra smooth for younger eaters.
- Potato — helps naturally thicken the broth without needing cream or flour. Try sweet potato it adds a little extra sweetness while still thickening.
- Crushed tomatoes — add richness and colour; swap for diced tomatoes if needed.
- Chicken or vegetable stock — choose low-sodium if cooking for babies or toddlers.
- Alphabet pasta — any small pasta works: stars, orzo/risoni, tiny shells, or mini macaroni.
- Frozen peas & corn — easy veggie boosters that cook in under 2 minutes.
- Optional proteins — shredded chicken, cooked mince, white beans, or baked mini meatballs.
- Salt & pepper — add only to adult servings (babies under 12 months should avoid added salt).
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3069IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @my_kids_lick_the_bowl or tag #MyKidsLickTheBowl!
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.