Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes quartered, or whole canned tomatoes, drained
- 1 garlic clove peeled
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped white onion
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups alphabet-shaped pasta or any other small-shaped pasta, 12 ounces
- 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
To Prepare
- Place the tomatoes, garlic, onion and water in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.
- Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, but not smoking, add the pasta, stirring continuously. As you fry the pasta, it will change in color from a deep white to a deep brown. Take care not to burn it! You want to cook it until it smells toasty, but not bitter like burned toast, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour the tomato puree over the pasta, sprinkle in the salt, and stir. Be careful, as the puree will want to jump all over your burners, it’s a good idea to cover it partially with a lid. Let the tomato base cook and thicken for about 6 minutes, stirring often, until it becomes a deeper red and has thickened to the consistency of a thick puree. Keep on stirring, so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. You will see the base of the pot as you stir, but the sauce will not be dried out. Cooking the tomato puree to this point will give the soup a really nice depth of flavor.
- Pour in the broth, stir, and when it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for another 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and serve.
Comments
126comments inAlphabet Soup
Migdalia
Mar 14
How long will the soup keep in the refrigerator? Can this soup be frozen into individual servings or will the noodles be mushy when thawed?
Pati Jinich
Mar 14
I would say it lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge; I would not freeze it, it does not work very well 😉
KUV
Apr 26
My preschool-aged daughter asked me to make “alphabet pasta in orange soup that’s not clear” that is served for lunch at her school. Her school’s teacher and staff are from Mexico, so I searched online for “Mexican alphabet soup” (because I didn’t imagine it was the Vietnamese alphabet soup I grew up eating!). I came across your recipe that fit my daughter’s description and made it as a surprise for her. She was delighted to see it and loved it! I was worried the pasta would overcook during the last 10 minutes of simmering, but they didn’t. The soup was delicious and I will add it to my recipe rotation. Thank you for the recipe!
Pati Jinich
Jun 06
So happy you and your daughter love this soup, thanks!
Claudette Granata
Jan 13
Dear Pati, made this soup especially for my grandkids! Everyone loved it. I love trying your recipes! Thank you so much for them so all can see the diverse Mexican kitchen! Love your show too! I have learned so much about the regions of Mexico, butchery, dairy farms & more! Thank you!
Pati Jinich
Jan 29
My pleasure Claudette, thanks to you for following!
Anonymous
Jan 12
Hi Pati! I’m going to try to make this soup. It sounds delicious! I have a question, the recipe calls for toasting the pasta. My abuelita taught me how to make spanish rice, which also calls for toasting. I never asked her why, I just did it and to this day, I still do. What is the purpose my friend?
Thank you,
Annie
Pati Jinich
Jan 29
Toasting the paste brings out another layer of flavor honestly, the same with the rice, you do not want to miss it!
Diana
Jan 12
I’m a beginner at cooking soup, so … how do I get together a good chicken broth? I don’t want to open a can.
Pati Jinich
Jan 30
Here is my recipe for you Diana 🙂 http://patijinich.com/mexican-chicken-broth-405/
Ana
Oct 25
Thank you so much for sharing wonderful alphabet soup memories Pati. My mother used to make this soup when I was a kid and I absolutely loved it!
Pati Jinich
Oct 26
So glad you enjoyed it Ana!
Eleanor
Jul 25
I love your recipes I made your soup everything from my garden I served it topped with sliced avacodo
Pati Jinich
Sep 05
Mmmm, great idea, thanks for sharing Eleanor!
Anonymous
Jun 30
I wish i had alphabet soup :,(
Pati Jinich
Jul 18
We all do I think 😉
Jenise
Feb 20
Me and my kiddo, Miliah (7) just made this for the first time and it’s in instant hit! We love watching your show together. Sending you love from Missouri!!
Pati Jinich
Feb 23
Love back at you guys, abrazos all the way to Missouri 😉
Jan Mcleod
Apr 03
We love the show and your beautiful family.
Going to try the alphabet soup soon.
Thank you sharing such great recipes.
Pati Jinich
Apr 04
Thanks so much for the kind words Jan, let me know how you like the Sopa de Letras 😉
Jan Robertson
Mar 27
This is my favorite soup. I like to eat it the next day because it brings out more is the tomorrow flavor. It reminds me of canned Spaghettios I used to have at my Grandma’s house. It brings good memories to me whenever I make it and it’s such an easy recipe.
Pati Jinich
Apr 11
So glad you like it and it brings memories of your Grandma Jan 🙂
Jeron Ezekiel C. Mula
Jan 31
mommy will cook it
Jenna
Jan 15
I just got finished watching this episode. Those boys are so lucky to have you as their mom! I love simple easy recipes so I will definitely be trying this one out. I hope my boys love it as much as yours do!
Pati Jinich
Jan 16
Thanks for the sweet words Jenna, hope your boys enjoy la Sopa de Letras 🙂
Lisa from Kentucky
Jan 21
Oh Pati, my daughter Holly (10) and I have seen every episode that Prime has to offer! Thank you for a program that is decent and pure! We find our selves saying “super juicy” when we eat anything that we think you might enjoy!
This episode was one of our favorites! I can’t wait to (try) make the alphabet soup with Holly!
Thank you!!!
Pati Jinich
Jan 22
Hi Lisa and Holly, thanks so much for tuning in and for giving my recipes a chance. Keep cooking and having fun together in the kitchen 🙂
Amy F Engel
Jan 12
I make this soup once a week for my teenage daughter who loves it!!! Thank you:)
Pati Jinich
Jan 16
Aw, so glad she loves it Amy! Hugs to both of you 🙂
Alice G
Jun 25
I just subscribed to your newsletter ! Can’t wait for ANY of your recipes , love you and your show !
Pati Jinich
Jun 27
Thanks so much Alice!
Amy Pendry
Jun 14
Hello,
First off I love your show. I watch it all of the time. I love to see your travel videos, your time with your boys cooking. I just saw your show when you made this soup. I’m making some today for our lunches next week. It sounds do good.
Amy P.
Pati Jinich
Jun 18
Thank you Amy for the kind words, hope you enjoy this soup as much as I and my kids do 🙂
Lorenzo Dominguez
May 14
Muchisimas gracias Pati! Thank you to you, your boys and husband for your show and pride in our mutual Mexican heritage. We have long taught all our five children (ages 6 – 21) to cook and love the culinary art. We have added your show to our nightly watch schedule and we will be making this recipe esta noche. Abrazos y esperamos que todos andan bien durante la cuarentena.
Pati Jinich
May 16
Gracias a ti Lorenzo y a la familia! Esta sopita de letras les va a encantar, abrazos a todos 😉
Peter
Mar 19
First of all I want to tell you how much I enjoy watching your program. You are the queen of Mexican cooking! Outstanding recipes and entertaining destinations. I love that you taste your food and your family is beautiful! All your recipes are excellent … this is a simple and delicious weekday recipe that quick to make. Thank you for all you do!
Pati Jinich
Mar 20
Awww, thanks so much for the sweet words Peter, you made my day! Thanks to you for tuning in 😉
Julie
Jan 04
I’m a mom of three boys and this is their absolute favorite meal. I use ditalini and less broth so it’s thicker. My boys adore it!! Thank you!
Pati Jinich
Jan 06
Say hi to your boys for me, Julie!
Sarah
Jun 10
My wife finally saw this episode and asked if I could turn it into the base for a vegetable soup. To make it more hearty, I marinated stew meat with cumin and cayenne and browned it. I used vegetable stock instead of chicken broth and added the stew meat and corn during the simmering process at the end. Turned out amazing!! Thank you! I did use dinosaur shaped pasta to keep it fun 🙂
Pati Jinich
Jun 19
Oh that sounds great…and I love the dinosaur shaped pasta.
Melinda Hayes
Feb 07
My soup came out very bland. I made sure to get the tomato puree to a dark red paste… but I needed to add a lot more salt and pepper and oregano and parsley and basil … and red pepper flakes and tomato paste. I guess this is for children’s palates. I was hoping though the Browning of the pasta and getting the tomato puree to the paste would add the tomato flavor that I’m missing. I also felt as if the chicken broth was a lot and may have overpowered the tomato flavors. Do you think its the broth I used?
Pati
Feb 26
I’m sorry to hear this, Melinda. Some pre-made chicken broths have more flavor than others. Here’s how I make my own chicken broth: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/mexican-chicken-broth-405/
Marie Watt
Jan 14
Thank you Pati for sharing your recipe! I do have a question I hope you will answer. I wanted to know if I could add a diced dried ancho chili to this recipe. If I can, should I add it when I’m sauteing the pasta or when I add the tomatoes? Please let me know. Thanks!!
Pati
Jan 21
Oh great idea… I would add it when adding the tomatoes.
Lupe
Jan 12
Pati,
Love this!
Do you have a recipe for Albondigas? I would love one!
Pati
Jan 14
I have two, Lupe. Here they are: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/dreaming_of_julios_albondigas/ http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/meatballs-in-guajillo-sauce/
Lynette Morse
Jan 08
I watched an episode last night that had this soup but with different pasta, sandwiches and some cheese cake. I want to find the recipes for all three. Everything looked so good it made me hungry.
Pati
Jan 09
Here are the other recipes, Lynette! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/dulce-de-leche-cheesecake/ http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/grilled-cheese-and-bean-heroes/ http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/pico-de-gallo-salsa/
Gabriella
Dec 05
My son refuses to eat soup, he says it takes a long time to eat… yea he is only 5 so I get his point..I made this soup and now it is his favorite soup ever! or so he says, I know that it is a winner for me so thank you for this recipe and for all your books which have made our lives better!
Pati
Dec 05
Aww thank you so much Gabriella! And say hi to your son for me.
Natalie
Jul 02
Hi Pati!
I have a son that has to eat gluten free. Do you think this recipe can be made with gluten free brown rice pasta? I’m hoping it will turn out relatively close to the original! Thanks! P.S. We love your show!!
Pati
Jul 02
Sure! And say hi to your son for me 🙂
Bruce
May 30
Thank you for allowing us to print your recipes. Will definitely be making alphabet soup. Reminds me of 1 my father made way back in the 60s. Would cilantro be appropriate in this soup?
Pati
May 31
Cilantro would be a great garnish. Enjoy the soup, Bruce.
alisha and Damo.
Apr 27
My wife and I love your show being vegetarians there’s a lot on offer. Just making the alphabet tomato soup now, can’t wait, looking great! Cheers
Pati
Apr 27
Thank you for tuning in, Alisha and Damo!
Eva
Feb 14
This was really easy, and super delicious. I really recommend this recipe
Pati
Feb 15
Oh thank you Eva!
Tammy
Jan 09
Will you post the link for the molested again as I must have missed it. Love your recipes!
Pati
Jan 10
Here is the recipe for the molletes Tammy! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/grilled-cheese-and-bean-heroes/
Lee Anne
Jan 06
Hi Pati!
My husband and I and our 3 kids love watching your show. We are making this a second time tonight. My kids love it along with your molettes. We love to see your kids on the show eating and trying new things. Its a great way for kids watching to be enthusiastic about trying them as well!
Pati
Jan 08
Oh thank you so much Lee Anne! I hope your kids continue to love many more recipes and trying new foods!
HM
Dec 16
Hey Pati,
I love watching your shows with my Daughter. I plan on making this wonderful soup for my three kids. What a Wonderful way to warm up right after school!
Thank you so much Pati.
Pati
Dec 18
It’s a great after school snack! Say hello to your daughters for me!
Kendra Swilling
Dec 06
This was an easy variation on my usual tomato-based alphabet soup. I added some soup veggies and a BIG spoonful of chipotle adobo sauce. Delicious! Thanks Pati!!
Pati
Dec 07
Super!
WENDY SHERMAN
Nov 04
Made today, delish. Could not find my blender base so I used 1 cup of puree and grated onion and garlic. I halved the recipe as it was just for 2 people.
Pati
Nov 07
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Wendy!
Sarah D.
May 14
This is my new favorite soup! Love your recipes, Pati.
Pati
May 15
Yay!
Diosdado Montemayor
May 01
Hola Pati!! I’m so happy I caught the episode for the alphabet soup. I just finished preparing it using no sodium veggie broth and it came out super good! I’m always trying to find new food that I can enjoy as well as healthy meals I can cook for my mami. We were going to go out and eat but after my madre tasted the soup she said lets stay home and eat soup! I’m so happy. Thank you for this recipe and for representing Mexico and our people in such a positive light. Viva Pati!
Pati
May 05
Diosdado thank you so much!!!
Carol L.
Apr 30
HI Pati,
I made this today and it was very good. Very simple too!
Love your show and all the recipes. You have a beautiful family.
I will try to make the enchiladas next time.
Muchas gracias
Pati
May 05
Thank you Carol!
Mary Penedo
Mar 12
Definitely making this with the Grilled Cheese sandwich. My husband is a vegetarian and I just convert the recipes using vegetable broth or stock. He loves a lot of heat so I don’t scrimp on the chipotle or jalapeño.
Pati
Mar 13
A grilled cheese is a perfect companion for this soup! Yum
Christine
Feb 25
This has become a standard at my home. My hubby who’s not a big tomato soup kinda guy loves it! It never lasts long…we gobble it right up! Thanks for the great recipe!!
Pati
Mar 02
Super happy you found a new standard Christine!
Kirsten Andersen
Feb 05
This is delicious! I don’t even LIKE tomato soup, but I can’t get enough of this! ¡Gracias, Pati!
Pati
Feb 06
I’m so thrilled you like it, Kristen! Thank you for trying the recipe!
Cathy
Oct 01
I watched the show for the first time love the recipes simple and not expensive due to very little budget thank you.
Pati
Oct 04
🙂
Nelly
Feb 11
Hola Pati! Yo soy del Df y ya casi se me olvidaron algunas recetas de mi pais como el mole de olla y vi tu show y me gusto mucho y ya lo hice y a mi familia le encanto.A lo igual que el chesse cake con dulce de leche!!!!!Riiico!!!Gracias.
Bridget
Feb 10
Wow!
So amazing… I made this for my two kids who wouldn’t eat ANYTHING since they have been feeling under the weather 🙁
They LOVED it, and gobbled it up 🙂
Thank you thank you!!!
(From one mother to another.)
Pati
Feb 10
So thrilled to hear this, Bridget! I hope your kids are feeling better soon!!
Shannon Wallace
Sep 24
Hi Pati! My son and I enjoyed watching this particular episode with your boys. 🙂 This soup is so simple yet so very delicious! I cannot wait to make it with the delicious sandwiches and dessert as well. Gotta run…making this soup as we speak! Blessings…Shannon in Texas
Pati
Sep 24
YAY!
Shannon Wallace
Sep 24
Hi Pati!
My husband ended up LOVING the soup! 🙂 And I wanted to mention that if you have a Trader Joe’s near you, they usually carry alphabet noodles (it’s their own brand).
Candace M
Aug 08
This soup is a big hit with my kids. I make it once a week by request.
Pati
Aug 08
Yay! So happy they like it!! Big hit with my kids, too.
Steve
Jul 05
I made this soup for my very picky 2 year old daughter and she loves it. I made it with the fresh tomatoes and the soup has a very light, refreshing taste. I was nervous toasting the pasta, but managed to get to a nice golden brown that adds a nice nutty flavor. A simple recipe that was easy to prepare but packs a ton of flavor. I will definitely be making this frequently in the future!
Pati
Jul 07
Hola Steve, I’m SO happy to hear your daughter liked this soup! Thank you for trying the recipe!!
Grisha Phillips
Jun 23
Pati, you’re darling as is your whole family. I watch a lot of cooking shows but I’m drawn to your show every episode. Each recipe looks wonderful. I want to make the alphabet soup but as I recall on your show, you only used 4 c broth. I thought , that’s perfect for us. Thery’re are only two of us, (seniors, small apetites) so am I wrong about as recipe says 8 C? Please clarify. Thank you. Can’t wait to try the soup, even though it’s so hot here as we live in NM.
Continue with your shows, I will look foward to each and every one.
Pati
Jun 24
Hi Grisha, Thanks for your message! You may make the soup with only 4 cups of broth – just reduce all the other ingredients by half as well.
Marie
Jun 08
I am making this right now & am questioning the 8 cups of broth? I only used 4 so far, and there is so much liquid after simmering for 10 minutes. I did have to cook the tomato purée & pasta mixture a lot longer than 6 minutes to get to the “thick purée” state, but I made sure to do so. Not sure what I am doing wrong? It does smell wonderful though!
Pati
Jun 08
Let me know how it turns out in the end!
melody
May 29
My daughter and I watched your show a few nights ago and I have been thinking about the recipes ever since. I went to the store today and found everything I needed. The soup and molletes were easy to prepare, but the best part was the fact that my super pickey kids ate every bite. Normally they won’t eat anything that resembles a pepper or onion but when they are hidden under a layer of beans and cheese they are all about it. We will definitely make this again soon.
Pati
May 30
I’m so happy your kids liked the molletes! Yay!! Thank you for watching.
Emily
May 26
Thank you for this delicious recipe! I wanted to use up what I had in the cupboards, so for the pasta I substituted Israeli couscous, and for the tomato/garlic/onion I subbed a jar of canned tomato sauce I made last summer! So fresh and delicious and so soothing on a rainy day. Thanks again Pati!
Your family is adorable, by the way!
Pati
May 27
Thank you, Emily!
Sue Hale Hayes
May 12
Miss.Pati~My Sweet Husband made the Alphabet Soup today & was the Best! The toasting of the Pasta made a huge difference & we will only use this recipe for Tomato Soup from now on because of Flavour,lots of lovely Flavour. Your Sweet Son knows good Foods!
Pati
May 12
I will pass this on to Juju 🙂
Pat Metcalf
Apr 24
Pati,my husband and I love watching your show. He said anybody that watches your show and doesn’t laugh there is something wrong with them.lol.we are making the soup the grilled cheese & bean sandwiches .can’t wait to make the cheesecake your boys are adorable.I hope you cook on TV for a long time. I want to get your cookbooks. Pat
Pati
Apr 25
Thank you for your message, Pat! I hope you like the soup and the sandwiches, and I hope you try many more recipes too.
Patty
Apr 11
I have a question regarding the Alphabet Soup. It may be a stupid question, but are the noodles uncooked when you brown them in the stock pan?
Pati
Apr 11
yep!!
Jennifer Dote
Apr 10
This looks delicious! My 11 year old daughter and I watched your show last night and the child who literally likes nothing, actually asked me to make the soup for her! And of course I will be making the rest of the recipe’s as well. Can’t wait to try them! I’m so excited to see my daughter interested in a new food 🙂
Pati
Apr 10
Hi Jennifer, I’m so excited your daughter wants to try the soup! My boys love it! Let me know what she thinks of it. And thank you for watching!!
Jennifer Dote
Apr 11
We made it together last night. She had a huge smile on her face after her first bite and announced it’s now her favorite. Thank You!!!!
Kristina Marchionna
Apr 09
Today I watched this episode with my husband and son, who is 11. Needless to say, I will be going to the grocery store tomorrow so that we can make all 4 recipes for dinner tomorrow! My son loves to cook and cannot wait to help make the cheesecake. Thank you for a lovely show, and we really enjoyed watching you cook with your sons. You have a beautiful family! (And I like your accent and the way you say “fish”!!! LOL!!
Pati
Apr 09
Haha! I will tell my boys!
Kristina Marchionna
Apr 25
So, I have to tell you – my son and I made the soup and the sandwiches! Delicious! They were so good! My son asked two days later if we could make the same dinner again! Thankyou for the recipes. We are fans for life!
~Kristina
Rhonda
Apr 09
Hi Pati, we just watched this episode on CreateTV. It was such an entertaining show, and your boys were so sweet.
I want to cook this soup for my grand children as soon as I get the right kind of pasta.
Thank you for your good recipes and fun show.
Pati
Apr 09
Thank you for watching, Rhonda! You can make that soup with any kind of pasta, you can even use angel hair and break it into pieces…
Jennifer Hernandez
Apr 06
Hello! I make this soup at least once a week. My family loves it. We add cumin to the recipe and will add chicken pieces for a more hardy dish. But this simple and quick recipe is my favorite!
Pati
Apr 06
Oh, what great spins!
AMora
Jan 24
I am going to make it tonight and add chicken pieces as well. I cant wait to try it.
Pati
Jan 28
Yay!!
Maria Wetzel
Feb 14
Greetings,
I was watching your show on KPBS last Saturday and I ask my 9yr old daughter to join me and let me know if she would like to try the soup you were making. She paid attention to the show and liked the ingredients, so we made the soup together with the “molletes” Loved it!!! Easy, simple and delicious. Can’t wait to cook again with my daughter.
Maria =-)
Pati
Feb 14
It is one of my boys favorites! Hope you both try many more…
Sara Coles
Feb 11
Hola Pati,
I saw you make this on TV last week, and I found the recipe in your cookbook. It looks and sounds so delicious that I am going to make it tomorrow with fideos and home made turkey stock. Thank you for the recipe.
Besos,
Sara
Allison
Jan 25
Pati,
Saw your show today for the first time, and these recipes look so delicious and easy. I’m looking forward to trying them!
Pati
Jan 26
I look forward to you enjoying them!
Kathy
Jan 19
I prepared the Alphabet Soup today,it was delicious! My family enjoyed this soup. It was easy and quick to prepare.
Pati
Jan 20
Great to hear!