Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or an intimate family dinner, these 10 complete menus take the guesswork out of creating a memorable feast. From hearty pub classics to elegant showstoppers, there’s something here to delight every guest and make your holiday spread truly special.

Being an Irish family means our kitchen fills up with St. Patrick’s Day recipes every March. From corned beef and cabbage to shepherd’s pie, our favorite Irish dishes always remind us of our visits to Dublin. 

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Easy to prepare and endlessly adaptable, this Irish potato soup is the kind of hearty, satisfying dish you’ll find yourself making again and again. It’s great as a starter to an impressive holiday meal when hosting friends and family or to enjoy as an effortless family dinner alongside crusty bread or flaky buttery biscuits. 

We’re an Irish family (we’ve been to Dublin several times, as my husband’s parents are from Dublin and Kimmage!), and we love to cook Irish dishes – especially around St. Patrick’s Day!

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This is my favorite winter soup! But you can make it anytime, really. I love to make it and store in canning jars and give away to friends who’ve had surgery, or in need of a meal. More than just comfort food, this soup is a powerhouse of nutrition. The lentils provide a fantastic foundation of plant-based protein and fiber, which gets an irresistible flavor boost from the smoky bacon. 

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This collection of healthy winter soup recipes is your answer to those New Year goals, offering 25 comforting soups designed to satisfy while supporting your wellness journey. Each soup prioritizes lean proteins, high-fiber vegetables, and vibrant flavors, proving that healthy eating never means sacrificing taste!

To make your transition even easier, these soups are also fantastic for meal prep. Most freeze beautifully, so consider doubling a batch to stash for effortless, wholesome meals on those busy days. 

The post 25 Healthy Soup Recipes to Kickstart the New Year!  appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

I can’t begin to tell you how fire-roasted tomatoes can easily transform an ordinary vegetable soup into a mouth-watering experience! Using the entire can, including the smoky, caramelized juices, infuses the broth with a remarkable depth of flavor that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary soup.

Best of all, this ABC soup recipe is a no-fuss, one-pot meal that comes together from scratch with just about 25 minutes of active cooking time. The variety of hearty vegetables makes it a nourishing choice, while the playful alphabet pasta (or any small pasta shape you prefer) gives the classic vegetable soup a fun makeover everyone will love!

What is ABC soup?

ABC soup is a comforting dish with simple, nourishing vegetables (carrots, onion, peas, corn, celery, and tomatoes), a savory broth, and tender pasta. 

The name of this vegetable soup offers a playful triple pun: supposedly being “as easy as ABC” to make, packed with Vitamins A, B, and C, and often loaded with fun alphabet pasta that’ll make the ‘kid’ inside of each of us want to play with our food again! 

It’s certainly a soup that transports me right back to my childhood – great to make if you have little ones or grandkids. 

Ingredients needed to make ABC soup recipe

• Olive oil: Enhances the richness in this soup and helps sauté the aromatics. You can also use vegetable or avocado oil.
• Onion, celery, and carrots: This is the trifecta of veggies for most soup recipes. They add depth of flavor when sautéed. 
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic enhances the savory aroma. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch. 
• Seasoning: The vegetable soup base is seasoned with a mixture of salt, dry thyme, Italian seasoning, and black cracked pepper. 
• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: Adds texture and bright acidity as well as extra smokiness. We buy our fire-roasted tomatoes at Trader Joe’s. 
• Tomato paste: Helps to thicken the soup and adds concentrated flavor. 

• Bay leaf: Infuses earthy notes throughout the simmering soup. Make sure to remove the bay leaf before serving. 
• Vegetable broth: This is the main cooking liquid for the soup. You can use beef broth, chicken broth, or bone broth instead. 
• Alphabet pasta: This adorable pasta is the star of the recipe, adding some fun as well as texture and volume to the soup. The uncooked pasta is added directly to the simmering soup mixture for maximum flavor infusion. 
• Frozen mixed vegetables: Added for an extra boost of hearty vegetables. These are only added towards the end of the simmer to prevent them from becoming overly soft.  
• Maple syrup: Adds a lovely touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity from the tomatoes. Granulated sugar can be used instead, if needed.

How do you make alphabet vegetable soup? 

Sauté the aromatics:

1. Sauté the onions, celery, and carrots in a large pot with oil over medium heat until soft – about 5 minutes. 
2. Add the pressed garlic and stir for 1 minute.
3. Add the seasoning and sauté for another minute.

Add remaining ingredients:

1. Add the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, and broth into the pot and bring to a simmer. 
2. Add 1 cup of uncooked alphabet pasta. 

Simmer the soup:

1. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer and continue to cook on low heat for 15-25 minutes or until the pasta becomes soft and cooked through. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning. 
2. Add the frozen vegetables and stir in 2 teaspoons of maple syrup. 
3. Return the soup to a simmer and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes. 

Serve:

1. Top each bowl of soup with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy alongside hot crunchy bread! 

Serving

Enjoy this ABC soup with these favorite soup dippers: Quick Dinner Rolls, Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits, Biscuit Pretzels, or Zucchini Bread. 

A Grilled Cheese Flatbread Sandwich or a slice of Cottage Cheese Pizza will always be a happy addition too!

Sandy’s tips and substitutions:

• Storage: Store leftover ABC soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Reheat in a pot over medium heat until warm. You can add broth to the leftover soup as it reheats since the pasta tends to soak up some of the liquid as the soup sits in the fridge.    
• Freezer: Once completely cool, store this soup in the freezer for up to 3 months, either in an airtight container or individual portions in freezer-safe bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat to serve.
• Make-ahead: Assemble and cook the soup without the pasta. When ready to serve, boil the pasta separately from the pot of reheated soup and mix it in just before serving for the best texture. 
• Adjust the liquid: Add extra broth (or water) if the base of the soup boils down too much. Adjust seasoning as needed.
• Large pot: A Dutch oven works the best when making this ABC soup, but you can use a regular large pot too. Just make sure that the pot you use is big enough to hold all of the ingredients comfortably for even cooking and no spilling over. 
• Prepare your sides: Prep optional sides like garlic bread while the soup simmers so that everything is ready to enjoy at the same time.
• Stir frequently: It’s important to stir the simmering soup regularly to prevent the alphabet pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning. This alphabet pasta is delicate, so be gentle. You don’t want to be mushing it against the sides of the pot.

Variations:

• Gluten-free ABC soup: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure that any store-bought broth is also certified gluten-free. 
• Protein-boost: Add shredded chicken or turkey, pork meatballs, lean ground beef, or stewing cubes for a hearty and meaty twist. 
• Potato, tomato, and carrot ABC soup: Add 1 medium chopped potato to the simmering soup with the softened carrots and fire roasted tomatoes for extra heartiness.  
• Spicy kick: Add smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for a slight kick of heat, if you like. 

Interested in other meatless soups? Give our Easy Pear Potato Soup, White Bean and Kale Soup, or Butternut Squash Rosemary Soup a try. You won’t regret it!

More veggie-loaded dinners you may want to try:

• Vegetarian Lasagna Roll-Ups
• Orange Basil Tomato Soup
• Vegetarian Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
• Zucchini Galette Recipe

Print

ABC Soup

Savor deep, smoky flavor from fire-roasted tomatoes in this one-pot ABC soup. Ready in 30 mins with playful alphabet pasta, it’s the easy, healthy meal your family will love.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 133kcal

Author Sandy Coughlin

Equipment

• Dutch Oven

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 white onion diced
• 3 stalks celery diced
• 1 cup carrots diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp black cracked pepper
• 1 28 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 cups vegetable broth or beef or chicken or bone broth
• 1 cup alphabet pasta
• 1 16 oz frozen mixed vegetables peas, carrots, corn
• 2 tsp maple syrup

Instructions

• Sauté the onions, celery, and carrots in a large pot with oil over medium heat until soft – about 5 minutes.
• Add the pressed garlic and stir for 1 minute.
• Add the seasoning and sauté for another minute.
• Add the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, and broth into the pot and bring to a simmer.
• Add 1 cup of uncooked alphabet pasta.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer and continue to cook on low heat for 15-25 minutes or until the pasta becomes soft and cooked through. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.
• Add the frozen vegetables and stir in 2 teaspoons of maple syrup.
• Return the soup to a simmer and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes.
• Top each bowl of soup with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy alongside hot crunchy bread!

Video

Notes

Sandy’s tips and substitutions:

• Storage: Store leftover ABC soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Reheat in a pot over medium heat until warm. You can add broth to the leftover soup as it reheats since the pasta tends to soak up some of the liquid as the soup sits in the fridge.    
• Freezer: Once completely cool, store this soup in the freezer for up to 3 months, either in an airtight container or individual portions in freezer-safe bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat to serve.
• Make-ahead: Assemble and cook the soup without the pasta. When ready to serve, boil the pasta separately from the pot of reheated soup and mix it in just before serving for the best texture. 

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 1919mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4783IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg

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Wondering what to serve with clam chowder? From crispy, savory biscuits to bright, refreshing salads, we’ve rounded up 30 of the absolute best sides to make your next chowder a complete success!

What to Eat with Clam Chowder

The best sides for clam chowder enhance its cozy, savory flavor without overpowering it. You’ll want something to soak up the creamy broth, a crisp, fresh element to cut through the richness, and a few savory bites to round out the meal. 

The post What to Serve with Clam Chowder (30 Best Sides) appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

The secret to any delicious soup is the flavorful foundation created by sautéing key ingredients, such as onion, garlic, and celery. From there, it’s a matter of building upon this base by simmering the squash, beans, and kale in a smoky, herb-infused broth.

While I do love a vegetarian butternut squash soup, the addition of chopped rotisserie chicken transforms this recipe into a protein-packed and complete meal that requires no extra sides, if you feel like a little time off!

The post Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

This recipe allows you the flexibility to choose your preferred cooking method. For a truly hands-off approach, slow-cooking this chicken chili lets you set it and forget it, resulting in a meal that’s ready and waiting for you at the end of the day. If you’re short on time, the stovetop method delivers the same incredible flavor in under an hour, making it perfect for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner.

The cream cheese makes this chili extra comforting, soothing the spicy bite of chili powder and green peppers, while the chopped (or shredded) rotisserie chicken adds convenience to the preparation and a lighter version for those who don’t want a heavy meal. 

The post White Chicken Chili appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

This Roasted Red Pepper & Gouda Cheese Soup is not only delicious but also practical, made with wholesome, budget-friendly ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store – perfect for feeding a hungry family without breaking the bank!

As a one-pot wonder, it simplifies dinner prep and minimizes cleanup, making weeknight cooking a breeze. Packed with hidden veggies like carrots, celery, and onions, it’s a sneaky way to boost nutrition while keeping even the pickiest eaters happy. 

For more protein-rich and hearty soups, check out my Mexican Soup, Mom’s Vegetable Beef Soup, and Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup. 

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This comforting and hearty Southwest chicken soup will forever change the way you make regular chicken soup. It’s an all-round meal, loaded with lean protein, a mildly smokey and spicy broth, and an array of veggies that even the pickiest of eaters won’t turn their noses up to. 

Enjoy it as a complete meal or serve it over creamy polenta or lime rice with a side of fluffy cornbread as a mouth-watering dinner on those chilly days. 

For more delicious dishes with a Southwest twist, be sure to try my Southwest Chicken Chili, Southwest Bowls, or Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad. 

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