Have you ever slurped up a spoonful of Campbell’s iconic chicken noodle soup and wondered, “What are these noodles actually made of?” You’re not alone! As someone who’s enjoyed countless cans of this classic comfort food, I’ve often been curious about those distinctive, short, yellow noodles that seem unique to Campbell’s soups.
The Short Answer: They’re Egg Noodles (But Special Ones)
Campbell’s chicken noodle soup contains egg noodles, but they’re specifically manufactured for their soups. These aren’t the same egg noodles you’d typically find in grocery store pasta aisles. Campbell’s uses a special type of enriched egg noodle product that’s designed to withstand the canning process and maintain its texture in the soup.
What Makes Campbell’s Noodles Different?
The noodles in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup have several distinctive characteristics:
- Size and Shape: They’re short, flat, and rectangular – about 1/2 inch in length
- Color: Distinctively yellow from the egg content
- Texture: Slightly chewy but soft enough to break down easily when eaten
- Resilience: Designed to survive both the canning process and reheating without becoming mushy
According to Campbell’s product information, their chicken noodle soup contains “enriched egg noodle product” which includes wheat flour, egg whites, and egg yolks among other ingredients
The Various Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Options
Campbell’s doesn’t just offer one type of chicken noodle soup. They have several varieties with different noodle styles:
- Classic Chicken Noodle Soup – Features the traditional small, flat egg noodles
- Double Noodle Soup – Contains twice the amount of the classic noodles
- Chicken NoodleO’s Soup – Uses circle-shaped pasta instead of traditional noodles
- Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup – Features slightly larger, more “homestyle” egg noodles
- Chicken and Stars Soup – Contains star-shaped pasta pieces
Some varieties like the “Chicken NoodleO’s with Goldfish crackers” are particularly popular with kids because of the fun shapes.
Can You Buy Similar Noodles Separately?
Many soup lovers wonder if they can purchase these distinctive noodles separately. The truth is, the exact noodles used in Campbell’s soups aren’t readily available for retail purchase. These noodles are manufactured specifically for Campbell’s products and undergo special processing to ensure they maintain their texture through canning and storage.
The closest retail alternatives would be:
- Fine egg noodles
- Soup noodles (sometimes labeled specifically for soups)
- Small pasta shapes like orzo or pastina
However, none of these will perfectly replicate the distinctive Campbell’s noodle experience
The Science Behind Soup Noodles
What makes Campbell’s noodles special isn’t just their shape and size, but how they’re processed These noodles are partially cooked during the canning process but designed not to become mushy during the extended shelf life of the product
The company uses a specific formulation that likely includes:
- Higher egg content than typical pasta
- Specialized drying techniques
- Precise cooking times during canning
- Formulation that resists breaking down in liquid over time
Are They Really Egg Noodles?
Yes! Despite looking different from typical egg noodles you might make at home, Campbell’s noodles are indeed egg noodles. The ingredients list confirms they contain egg whites and egg yolks along with wheat flour.
Traditional egg noodles generally contain:
- Wheat flour
- Eggs (whole eggs or a combination of whites and yolks)
- Salt
- Sometimes water
Campbell’s noodles follow this basic formula but with specific proportions and processing methods that give them their distinctive appearance and texture.
Nutritional Aspects of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Noodles
The noodles contribute to the overall nutritional profile of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. As enriched pasta products, they provide:
- Carbohydrates for energy
- Small amounts of protein
- B vitamins from the enrichment process
- Some iron and other minerals
For those with dietary concerns, it’s worth noting that these noodles contain wheat and egg, making them unsuitable for those with these specific allergies or intolerances.
The Cultural Impact of Campbell’s Noodles
It’s hard to overstate how iconic Campbell’s chicken noodle soup and its distinctive noodles have become in American culture. For many people, these specific noodles are what “chicken noodle soup” means – the standard against which all other versions are judged.
When you’re sick, feeling nostalgic, or just need a quick meal, those tiny yellow rectangles floating among chicken pieces and carrots represent comfort and tradition for generations of soup eaters.
DIY Campbell’s-Style Noodles?
If you’re determined to recreate the Campbell’s noodle experience at home, you might try:
- Making a basic egg noodle dough with higher egg content than usual
- Rolling it very thin
- Cutting into tiny rectangles about 1/2 inch long
- Slightly undercooking them if adding to homemade soup
While you won’t perfectly recreate the industrial process that gives Campbell’s noodles their specific texture, this might get you closer to the experience.
Beyond the Classic: Campbell’s Noodle Variations
Campbell’s offers several different noodle types across their chicken soup line:
- Double Noodle: For serious noodle lovers, with twice the amount of the classic noodles
- Heart Healthy Chicken Noodle: Uses the same noodle type but in a heart-healthy recipe
- 25% Less Sodium: Same noodles with reduced salt content
- Homestyle: Slightly larger, more “homemade-looking” egg noodles
- Chicken and Stars: Star-shaped pasta instead of traditional noodles
Each variety maintains the company’s commitment to noodles that hold up well in the soup while offering different textures and eating experiences.
The Historical Perspective
Campbell’s introduced their chicken noodle soup in 1934, though it was originally called “Chicken with Noodles” soup. The noodle style has evolved somewhat over the decades, but they’ve maintained the distinctive small, flat shape that generations have come to recognize.
Interestingly, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup gained enormous popularity during the Great Depression as an affordable, nutritious option for families. The particular noodle style was likely chosen because it:
- Was economical to produce
- Provided good texture in the soup
- Held up well during canning and storage
- Was small enough to fit easily on a spoon
How to Enjoy Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Noodles
The classic way to enjoy these noodles is obviously in the soup itself, but Campbell’s suggests several ways to enhance your soup experience:
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or dill
- Mix in chopped kale or spinach for added nutrition
- Add white beans for protein
- Top with croutons for texture contrast
- Pair with tortilla chips and a fresh salad for a complete lunch
I personally like adding a dash of hot sauce to my Campbell’s chicken noodle soup – the spice contrasts nicely with those soft, comforting noodles!
The Bottom Line on Campbell’s Noodles
So what kind of noodles are in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup? They’re specially formulated egg noodles designed specifically for their soups. While they follow the basic concept of traditional egg noodles, they’re manufactured using proprietary methods that give them their distinctive appearance, texture, and ability to withstand the canning process.
Whether you’re enjoying them during a cold, when feeling nostalgic, or just because you love the taste, those tiny yellow noodles are an essential part of the Campbell’s chicken noodle soup experience that has comforted Americans for generations.
For many of us, no other noodle will ever quite capture the specific texture and nostalgia of those little rectangles floating in savory chicken broth. They might not be fancy or artisanal, but they’re a beloved part of American food culture that continues to delight soup lovers of all ages.
Additional NotesYou can purchase pre-grilled chicken breast strips and cut them up for this recipe, but what I do is buy a big box of chicken breasts, season them up and grill them on the BBQ, then portion and freeze them for use in salads, soups, quick sandwiches and more.You can also do this with boneless chicken thighs, which give even more flavour.Because you want the carrots to be soft and flavourful, add them at the start of the cooking; the onions can wait until half way through.Try other veggies as well, including diced peppers, shredded parsnips or turnips, and others. The key is to keep the sizes small so they cook in the short soup heating time.
Campbells Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup
thin sliced carrots (yellow)
Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup Upgrade
This upgrade on a condensed can of soup brings in some vegetables, more chicken, a lot more flavour, and an unami hit from the grated parmesan.
- Prep Time 10 minutes
- Cook Time 10 minutes
- Total Time 20 minutes
- Serves 2 people
- Calories 325 kcal
- 1 Can Campbells Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup
- 1 Carrot, finely slicked into disks
- 50g Grilled Chicken Breast, cut into 1cm cubes
- 1 Green Onion, diced
- 15g Fresh Grated Parmesan
- Prep your veggies first, by thinly slicing your carrot stick (I use a mandolin for quick work), and dicing up the green onion.
- Dice up your pre-cooked chicken breast into 1cm cubes, or make them random, small bite sizes.
- Open the can, add the condensed soup to a soup pot and add another can of cold water.
- Add carrots and chicken to the soup and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Midway through cooking, add the diced green onions. Stir occasionally.
- Bring the soup to a low boil, then remove from heat.
- Measure out the soup to two bowls, and sprinkle 7-8g of grated parmesan on each, then serve.
Campbell’s Slow Kettle Style Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup Review
FAQ
What kind of noodles are in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup?
Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup contains enriched egg noodles, which are made from a wheat flour base with eggs and egg whites. The soup’s ingredients list specifies these noodles, alongside chicken broth, chicken meat, and other seasonings, for its classic, homestyle flavor.
What sort of noodles do you put in chicken noodle soup?
Best Noodles For Chicken Noodle Soup
Egg noodles are the traditional choice for chicken noodle soup. Rotini and fusilli would work well too, but you can use whatever you have on hand in a pinch.
Why does Campbell’s chicken noodle soup taste different?
Why? Because Campbell’s changed its chicken noodle soup recipe in 2015. To cater to growing consumer distrust of hard-to-pronounce additives, Campbell’s cut down the ingredients list of its chicken noodle soup from 30 to 20 items.
What are the ingredients in Campbell’s chicken soup?
Campbell’s chicken soup ingredients vary by product, but generally include chicken broth, chicken meat, vegetables like carrots and celery, noodles or rice, and seasonings. The exact ingredients like flour, cream, and fats also differ, for example, between a condensed chicken noodle soup and a cream of chicken soup. Always check the product’s label for specific ingredients and allergy information.