Daily Bread recipe: Nutritious, homemade Alphagetti Soup

March is Nutrition Month, and it’s the perfect time to focus on making healthy food choices for you and your family. With March Break upon us, the change in routine can make it especially tempting to forgo nutritious meals in favour of convenience. But with a little creativity, you can keep meals both wholesome and fun—even for the pickiest eaters.

For example, our Alphagetti Soup (recipe below) contains plenty of essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, folate, and potassium, while keeping the same delicious taste as the classic Heinz version. With hidden veggies like carrots, zucchini, and red pepper, this hearty soup is a fun and tasty way to boost your child’s intake of vitamins and fiber.

For added protein, we’ve included cannellini beans, which blend seamlessly into the soup. To make it even more appealing, a drizzle of honey balances the flavors and gives it just the right sweetness. And don’t forget the alphabet pasta—it’s a fun twist that kids enjoy every time.

As we celebrate Nutrition Month, remember that small changes, like incorporating hidden vegetables, can have a big impact on your family’s health.

Nutrition-packed Alphagetti Soup

1 cup alphabet pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion

½ cup carrot

½ cup celery

1 small red pepper

¾ cup zucchini

½ cup canned cannellini beans (or chickpeas), drained

600 ml (small can) diced tomatoes

½ tsp of salt

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1 tbsp honey (optional)

Shredded cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a small pot and add pasta. Cook 10 mins until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add vegetables (chopped) and cook 5 mins until starting to soften.  Add canned tomatoes, beans, water and seasoning, and lower the heat. Cook 20 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
3. Puree the mixture using an immersion blender or food processor.  Season with salt and honey to adjust seasoning as desired.
4. Place pasta in serving dish, pour tomato mixture over the pasta and garnish with cheese.

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According to Who’s Hungry 2024, children and youth make up 23% of food bank clients in Toronto, meaning thousands of children face barriers to nutritious meals. Donate today to help ensure every child has access to healthy food.