If you’re looking to transform leftover turkey into something comforting and nourishing, this Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe is your new best friend. I absolutely love how this soup combines hearty turkey, vibrant veggies, and tender pasta, making it a perfect meal for chilly days or anytime you want a warm hug in a bowl. Keep reading—you’ll find plenty of tips to help you nail this soup every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deliciously Economical: It’s a fantastic way to breathe new life into leftover turkey without feeling like you’re eating leftovers.
Nutrient-Packed: With a mix of fresh vegetables, turkey protein, and pasta for energy, this soup covers all bases for a balanced meal.
Comfort in Every Spoonful: The rich broth combined with tender pasta and veggies makes it cozy, satisfying, and great for family dinners.
Simple and Quick to Prepare: You’ll have this on the stove in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.

Two white ceramic cups filled with vegetable and pasta soup sit on a white marbled surface. Each cup contains a mix of small spiral pasta, diced light beige meat, green beans, bright orange carrot cubes, green peas, celery pieces, and small red pepper bits, all in a light brown broth speckled with herbs. The soup layers show the textured pasta and vegetables floating near the top, with broth filling the rest of the cups. One cup is closer to the camera, showing clear detail of the ingredients, while the other cup is slightly blurred in the background. A white and black kitchen towel lies to the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta, hearty turkey vegetable soup, beginner-friendly turkey soup recipe, quick healthy turkey soup, leftover turkey soup

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe plays a special role in layering flavors and texture. From the butter and olive oil combo that gives a silky flavor base to the Italian seasoning which spices it up beautifully, it’s a harmonious balance you’ll appreciate. When shopping, choose a good-quality chicken broth—it really makes a noticeable difference!

Flat lay of a small pool of golden olive oil in a simple white ceramic bowl, a few rich yellow butter cubes arranged neatly, a large diced white onion pile, four fresh green celery ribs sliced evenly, two peeled garlic cloves finely minced, a small white bowl filled with pale off-white all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing a mix of dried Italian herbs, a simple white ceramic bowl with clear golden chicken broth, a white bowl with bright red petite diced tomatoes and their juices, a small heap of cooked chopped turkey with natural brown and white hues, a small white bowl of vibrant thawed mixed vegetables including peas, carrots, and corn, six ounces of uncooked medium pasta spirals arranged symmetrically, all ingredients fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta, hearty turkey vegetable soup, beginner-friendly turkey soup recipe, quick healthy turkey soup, leftover turkey soup

Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps cook veggies evenly without burning.
Butter: Gives richness and helps soften the onions and celery beautifully.
Onion: Pick a large yellow or sweet onion for sweetness and depth.
Celery: Sliced celery adds a fresh, crunchy base flavor.
Garlic: Minced for that essential savory punch that wakes up the whole soup.
All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the soup and create a lovely velvety texture.
Italian seasoning: The perfect blend of herbs to complement turkey and veggies.
Chicken broth (low sodium): The backbone of the soup—low sodium lets you control salt better.
Canned petite diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and richness with their juicy bits.
Cooked chopped turkey: Leftover roast turkey works wonderfully here—shredded or chopped.
Frozen mixed vegetables: Thawed veggies add color, nutrients, and texture—use what YOU like.
Medium pasta: Choose small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells that cook quickly and nestle in the soup.
Salt and pepper: To season and bring the whole soup together – always taste and adjust!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe invites lots of customization. Whether you want to jazz it up with different veggies or make it gluten-free, there’s room for your creativity here. Don’t hesitate to tweak the herbs or switch up the pasta shapes based on what you have on hand.

Vegetarian Twist: I once made this without turkey, swapping chicken broth for vegetable broth, and it was surprisingly hearty and comforting.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour to thicken and gluten-free pasta, and it works beautifully without sacrificing texture.
Seasonal Veggies: I sometimes add chopped zucchini or spinach for extra greens when in season—it brightens the flavors.
Spicy Kick: Adding red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne was a fun twist my family enjoyed on a cold day.

How to Make Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics

Start by heating olive oil and butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add your diced onion, sliced celery, and minced garlic. Cook these gently for about 5 minutes until they soften and start to smell irresistible—this base is where your soup’s heart and soul develop. Keep an eye so the garlic doesn’t brown too quickly; you want it softened, not burnt.

Step 2: Build the Soup Base

Sprinkle in the flour and Italian seasoning, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. This step cooks off the raw flour taste and helps thicken the soup later. Then pour in the chicken broth and canned tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine everything well and bring the mixture up to a boil.

Step 3: Add Turkey and Simmer

Once boiling, add the chopped turkey to the pot. Reduce the heat and let your soup simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. This simmering lets the flavors meld together wonderfully and the broth enriches with turkey goodness. It’s one of my favorite moments—the aroma in the kitchen just fills me with cozy vibes!

Step 4: Stir in Veggies and Pasta

Now stir in your thawed mixed vegetables and add the pasta. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender but not mushy. I recommend tasting as you go so you catch the perfect al dente texture—pasta can go from perfect to soggy quickly. Season with salt and pepper to taste right at the end.

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Pro Tips for Making Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe

Don’t Skip the Flour Step: Cooking the flour with the aromatics prevents the ‘raw’ flour taste and thickens your soup beautifully without lumps.
Use Low-Sodium Broth: This way, you control the salt level, and your soup won’t turn out overly salty when you add the canned tomatoes and seasoning.
Pasta Timing Is Key: Adding pasta too early can result in a mushy texture; stir it in only once the soup is nearly finished cooking.
Adjust Thickness as You Like: If the soup gets too thick after resting, just add a splash of broth or water when reheating—it perks right back up.

How to Serve Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe

Two white bowls filled with vegetable soup sit on a white marbled surface. The soup has a thick broth with small spiral pasta, bright orange carrot chunks, green peas, small green bean pieces, diced celery, and red bell pepper pieces all mixed together. There are also light pieces of cooked chicken scattered on top. Each bowl has a silver spoon resting inside, and a textured cloth napkin is visible near one bowl. The overall look is colorful with a warm, fresh feeling. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta, hearty turkey vegetable soup, beginner-friendly turkey soup recipe, quick healthy turkey soup, leftover turkey soup

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil on top—fresh herbs always elevate the flavors. A dash of grated Parmesan cheese is another favorite that adds a lovely umami richness. Sometimes, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving brightens everything up and balances the soup’s fattiness.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or warm garlic toast for dipping. For a lighter side, a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the hearty soup nicely without weighing you down.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe in rustic bread bowls, which is always a hit. You can also try layering it in clear mugs for a fun presentation at casual gatherings—seeing all the colorful ingredients makes it feel extra inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I store mine, I wait to add the pasta until reheating, especially if I’m making a big batch, to prevent it from soaking up too much broth and turning mushy overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup plenty of times. Just keep the soup and pasta separate if you can, freezing the soup base in zip-top freezer bags or containers. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight and cook fresh pasta to stir in. This way, the pasta texture stays spot-on.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If reheating frozen soup, thaw it fully in the fridge first for best results. Add cooked pasta or any fresh ingredients at the last minute to keep the pasta from getting overcooked.

FAQs

Can I use fresh turkey instead of leftover?

Absolutely! You can cook turkey breast or thighs separately and add them chopped into the soup. Just allow enough simmer time so the turkey heats through and the flavors meld together.
What type of pasta works best?

Small or medium-sized pastas that cook quickly are ideal—think ditalini, small shells, or elbow macaroni. They integrate well into the soup and don’t overpower the other ingredients.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend to thicken the soup and replace the pasta with your favorite gluten-free variety. Just watch the pasta timing carefully to prevent overcooking.
How can I make the soup more filling?

Adding beans like cannellini or kidney beans can boost both protein and fiber. You can also increase the pasta or add additional vegetables such as potatoes or carrots for extra heft.

Final Thoughts

This Turkey Vegetable Soup with Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, especially after holiday dinners when I’m eager to turn leftovers into something fresh and exciting. It’s warm, wholesome, and always brings smiles around the table. Give it a try—you’ll love how simple it is to make and how satisfying it tastes. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to comfort soup too!