There are soups that eat like a meal, and then there are soups that are a meal–so chock full of good stuff they’re actually filling. This is that kid-friendly soup meal: it’s got everything you’re looking to put on the plate–er, bowl–including protein, vegetables (and fruit!), and carbs; it’ll clear out whatever you need gone in your pantry and crisper–and it does so in thirty minutes. Indeed, around our parts we call it the everything soup–it does whatever you want lunch and dinner to do, and can it involve just about anything and everything you have lying around.
The beauty of the soup is the sum of its many and varied parts. The base is, well, basic: a creamy chicken soup. Pile on the chopped soup veggies–carrots, celery, and onion form the foundation for ours; potatoes and other root vegetables would work just as well. Coins of cooked sausage are an easy way of beefing up the heartiness of the soup; chickpeas or cubes of tofu can seamlessly slide in as a vegetarian protein option. Did we mention there’s lots of cheese in it? And gnocchi, which plays the role of baby dumplings? And even apples? It’s all there; it’s everything.
Ingredients Overview
This kid-friendly soup meal is built like a well-stocked pantry: a creamy chicken-based broth, soft vegetables, protein, and a comforting starch that makes it filling enough to stand on its own. Sausage adds richness and flavor, gnocchi plays the role of tender, dumpling-like bites for kids, and vegetables like carrots, celery, spinach, and even apple bring balance and subtle sweetness. The real strength of this kid-friendly soup meal is flexibility—nearly every ingredient can be swapped based on what you already have on hand.
Steps Summary
- Dice all vegetables and apple into small, spoon-friendly pieces; chop spinach finely.
- Brown sausage (if uncooked), then remove and set aside.
- Sauté onion, carrot, and celery until soft; bloom garlic and spices briefly.
- Build a roux with butter and flour, then add stock, water, and cheese rind to create a creamy base.
- Simmer, then cook gnocchi directly in the broth until tender.
- Finish by stirring in sausage, spinach, yogurt or cream, and cheese until warmed through.
This streamlined process keeps the cook time short while producing a hearty, kid-friendly soup meal that eats like dinner, not a starter.
FAQ
Can I make this soup without sausage?
Yes. Chickpeas, white beans, tofu cubes, or pre-cooked chicken all work well and keep this a filling kid-friendly soup meal.
Is this soup appropriate for toddlers?
Absolutely. The soft textures, mild seasoning, and balanced macronutrients make this kid-friendly soup meal suitable for toddlers, especially when vegetables are finely chopped.
Can I substitute pasta for gnocchi?
Yes—small pasta shapes like alphabet noodles or ditalini work well. Add them according to package timing and skip the gnocchi step.
Does this soup reheat well?
It does, though the gnocchi will continue to absorb liquid. Add a splash of stock or water when reheating to loosen the texture.
Can I freeze it?
For best results, freeze the soup base before adding gnocchi or dairy, then finish it fresh after reheating.
Recipe Links
What to Serve With This Kid-Friendly Soup Meal
- Protein Muffin for Toddlers — A soft, lightly sweet muffin that adds extra protein and makes the meal more filling without overwhelming younger eaters.
- Kale and Cheese Puffs — Cheesy, bite-sized puffs that pair well with soup and introduce greens in a familiar, snackable format.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- Yogurt Soup (Curd Rice–Style Porridge) — A soothing, protein-rich bowl with soft textures, ideal for younger toddlers or sensitive appetites.
- Broccoli Cheese Soup for Kids — Another creamy, spoonable kid-friendly soup meal that combines vegetables, dairy, and comfort in one bowl.
- Peanut Butter Noodle Soup (Curry-Style) — A gently spiced noodle soup that delivers protein and carbs in a format kids already love.
- Chicken and Rice Soup — A classic, filling soup that works as a complete meal for toddlers and older kids alike.
Easy Kid-Friendly Soup Meal (A Hearty One-Bowl Dinner)
Description
This kid-friendly “everything soup” is a hearty one-bowl meal loaded with protein, vegetables, and carbs—creamy, filling, and ready in about 30 minutes. It’s endlessly customizable, making it perfect for cleaning out the fridge while still delivering familiar, comforting flavors kids actually enjoy.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Dice onion, celery, carrots, and apples into small pieces. Chop spinach leaves into smaller pieces.
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If using uncooked sausage, cut links into thirds; if using cooked sausage, cut into small coins.
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If your sausage pieces are uncooked, heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a pot or Dutch oven–do two tablespoons of oil if using a large pot–at Medium. Once hot, add sausage pieces and cook until browned on all sides, roughly 5-6 minutes. Stir frequently as it cookes, chopping into small chunks around the 3 minute mark. Remove sausage pieces and set aside.
Cook
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If you cooked the sausage, add a teaspoon or two of oil to the pot if dry and scrape up bits at bottom of pot; if you didn’t, add one or two tablespoons of oil and allow 20-30 seconds to heat. Turn heat up to Medium High and add onion, carrot, celery, and two pinches of salt; cook, stirring frequently, until everything is soft, about 7-8 minutes.
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Add garlic and zaatar to the pot, aiming for wherever excess oil remains; allow it to cook for 30 seconds, then stir into it into the vegetables, letting it all cook together for 30 more seconds.
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Add butter and stir until melted, then drop in flour and mix altogether; let it cook together for a minute, stirring constantly.
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Add chicken stock, two cups of water, and cheese rind (if using). Bring contents of the pot to a boil, then reduce heat to Medium Low, or whatever setting produces a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove rind, if using.
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Bring heat back to Medium High; add gnocchi. Cook until the gnocchi floats, about two minutes.
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Reduce heat to Low. Add sausage and spinach to pot; stir to blend. Add in yogurt or cream and shredded cheese (if you didn’t use a rind) and heat, stirring often, for two minutes.
Serve
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We find a squeeze of lemon, a crack or two of black pepper, and some grated Parmesan is plenty as a topping, but the soup has a subtle and homey flavor not unlike chicken noodle soup, so don’t hesitate to add the same flavorings you would to other soups your kiddo likes.
Adapt
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You can sub out the gnocchi for a dry pasta shape–alphabet noodles work just fine here–by adding the noodles at the appropriate time into the cooking of the soup base–use the noodle package’s directions to determine when to add (and skip the gnocchi step, obvi). If wanting to use pieces of chicken or turkey instead of sausage, best to use precooked pieces, or pre-cook them yourself before making the soup; add them in at the very end just to heat them up a bit.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 small bowl
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 270kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 15g24%
- Cholesterol 15mg5%
- Sodium 300mg13%
- Potassium 360mg11%
- Total Carbohydrate 23g8%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Vitamin A 230 IU
- Vitamin C 15 mg
- Calcium 180 mg
- Vitamin K 22 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1 mcg
- Phosphorus 310 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
