Laskaleves (Noodle Soup)
A light and comforting Hungarian noodle soup, typically made with chicken or vegetable broth, small pasta shapes, and often enriched with a touch of sour cream and paprika.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1500 ml Chicken Broth(low sodium)
- 150 g Small Pasta Shapes(e.g., csipetke, egg noodles, or alphabet pasta)
- 1 medium Carrot(diced)
- 1 small Parsnip(diced)
- 1 stalk Celery Stalk(diced)
- 0.5 small Onion(finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Sweet Hungarian Paprika
- 0.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black Pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley(chopped, for garnish)
- 4 tbsp Sour Cream(for serving (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sauté vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 minutes - 2
Add paprika and vegetables: Stir in the sweet paprika and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced carrot, parsnip, and celery to the pot. Sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 minutes💡 Tip: Be careful not to burn the paprika. - 3
Add broth and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Cook pasta: Add the small pasta shapes to the simmering soup. Cook according to package directions, usually 7-10 minutes, until al dente.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: If using homemade csipetke, add them in the last 5 minutes of simmering. - 5
Season: Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. - 6
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Optionally, swirl in a tablespoon of sour cream into each bowl before serving.
💡 Tip: The sour cream adds a lovely tanginess and creaminess.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓You can use homemade chicken broth for a richer flavor.
- ✓Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or green beans.
- ✓If you don't have small pasta, you can break larger noodles into smaller pieces.
🔄 Variations
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit the optional sour cream or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Add shredded cooked chicken or a poached egg for a heartier soup.
- Some variations include a bay leaf during simmering for added aroma.