As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to start sending warm, comforting meals to school. Our Hot n Cold Hero Box includes a 250ml insulated food jar—just the right size for a nourishing soup paired with a crusty bread roll or a side of cold garlic bread.
Alphabet soup is always a hit with kids—there’s something irresistibly fun about spotting letters in every spoonful! But we’re taking it up a notch. This cheat’s minestrone is a quick and tasty upgrade, packed with extra veggies and fibre to keep little tummies full and fuelled.
The best part? You can whip it up in minutes using pantry and freezer staples like canned alphabet spaghetti and frozen diced veggies. It’s a warm hug in a bowl—minus the fuss.
Ingredients: Makes: 4 x small serves or 2-3 x large serves
• ½ brown onion diced
• 2 x shortcut rashers of bacon diced (preferably nitrate free available from some butchers and supermarkets)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 x 220g can of Heinz Alphabet Pasta
• ½ cup (125Ml) of beef stock salt reduced
• ½ cup cooked beans/lentils – we used canned brown lentils
Method:
- In a small saucepan, sauté onion, bacon and garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 3 minutes over medium heat.
- Add mixed vegetables, can of alphabet pasta and stir to combine. Allow to simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add beef stock and lentils and bring to a boil. Dish out using a ladle and serve with crusty bread.
Why we love it:
✓ Hearty, warm soup without hours at the stove
✓ High in fibre thanks to veggies and lentils
✓ Quick, simple, and budget-friendly with pantry staples
✓ Great for midweek dinners or lunchbox thermos meals
✓ Naturally seasoned with bacon —or go vegetarian with extra lentils and herbs