Toasted Pasta Soup

By
Ozoz Sokoh
headshot for recipe developer ozoz sokoh
Ozoz Sokoh
Ozoz Sokoh has more than a decade of experience writing about food and culture for Food52, Parts Unknown, and more. She runs the blog Kitchen Butterfly, using it to document Nigerian recipes.
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Published on 12/2/22
Tested by Joan Velush
Toasted pasta soup

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 2 quarts
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
151 Calories
9g Fat
15g Carbs
2g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 571mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 7mg 33%
Calcium 36mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 256mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This simple soup begins with vegetables, herbs, spices, and raw soup pasta toasted till brown, then is topped with water or broth to cook on the stove top. I love the combination of flavorful broth and the heft of the pasta. Together they make a soup that’s comforting and hearty. 

When my children were young, I used alphabet pasta and they would eat as they looked for the letters of their names first, and then proceed to other names till the bowls were empty. Even though they’re teenagers now, whenever I find alphabet pasta, I make some and they get all nostalgic, and still look for the letters in their names.

Pick Your Pasta

Though you can make it with almost any pasta shape, I’m partial to “soup” pasta. Small and perfect for cooking in liquid, they come in different shapes. My favorite is acini di pepe—tiny, round pasta named after peppercorns. It reminds me of moghrabieh and Israeli couscous in that it has a fantastic texture and a touch more body than alphabet pasta. 

Other pastas that you can use include orzo, shaped like rice; seme di melone, which resemble melon or pumpkin seeds; stellette, shaped like stars; and of course, alphabet pasta. You don’t have to go out to buy soup pasta—you can use whatever you have at home, as is, or broken into smaller bits.

A Versatile Base for Experimentation

This is a flexible and forgiving recipe so let the instructions be a guide on your journey to flavors and textures that you like. Sometimes we switch up the vegetables, add greens, mix pastas, and season with different spice blends. 

The one thing I always do, and recommend you do too, is toast the pasta. It deepens the flavor, and prevents the pasta from going soft too quickly.

How to Serve This Soup

Make this soup all year round, or save it for fall and winter. Serve on its own, or pair with bread or croutons; and top with your favorite pesto—basil, tomato, or a lemony one; or finish with some fresh herbs. Enjoy.

“The Toasted Pasta Soup is simple and straightforward to make. It’s also low cost, healthy and delicious. Adding the optional chili flakes in addition to the Cajun seasoning increases the heat level for those who love a spicy kick.” —Joan Velush

Toasted Pasta Soup/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into small dice

  • 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped

  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, more to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 dried bay leaves

  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped and stalks reserved

  • 1 cup small pasta, such as acini di pepe

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, or to taste, optional

  • 8 cups water or low sodium vegetable broth

  • 1 scant teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make toasted pasta soup

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  2. Add the olive oil to a medium pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the carrots, onions, salt, turmeric, black pepper, and bay leaves.

    A large pot with oil

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  3. Sauté until the vegetables are coated in the oil, the onions are translucent, and the mixture is tinged yellow, about 5 minutes.

    Carrots, onions, salt, turmeric, black pepper, and bay leaves cooking in a large pot

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  4. Reduce the heat to low. Add the thyme leaves and stalks, and the pasta. Cook, stirring frequently until the pasta is golden, 6 to 8 minutes ( the pasta might pop).

    Thyme leaves and stalks and pasta added to the vegetable mixture

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  5. Add the garlic and chili flakes, if using. Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    Garlic and chili flakes added to the pasta-vegetable mixture

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  6. Add the water or broth and Cajun seasoning. Adjust the mixture with salt, if needed.

    Broth and seasonings added to the pot

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  7. Cover the pot and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, if needed, and continue cooking until the carrots have softened and the pasta is al dente, and doubled in size, 6 to 8 minutes (depending on your pasta).

    Toasted pasta soup simmering in a pot

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  8. Remove from the heat, and let rest 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme stalks and bay leaves, then serve. The longer the pasta sits, the more it plumps up with the liquid.

    Toasted pasta soup with thyme stalks removed

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Recipe Tips

  • When toasting the pasta, stir often to loosen it from the bottom so it toasts evenly and does not burn.
  • The pasta softens the longer it sits. If you like yours al dente, eat soon after you’ve pulled it off the heat.

Make Ahead

You can prep the vegetables ahead of time, and toast the pasta up to 2 days before you cook it.

Recipe Variations

  • Feel free to use your favorite vegetables, and change the ratios—celery, corn, and fennel are great options. You can also change the herbs, using rosemary instead of thyme, for example.
  • Add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the vegetables as they saute for a tomatoey flavor, or a sauce like pesto or chimichurri for herby notes.
  • Season with your favorite spices or blends.
  • Add less liquid for a thicker soup.
  • Add cooked beans or peas towards the end for another layer of texture.

How to Store

Let cool, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. The pasta will soften a touch, and will absorb the broth. When reheating, add more broth or water as desired.