Gifts in a Jar

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Spiral Soup in a Jar Mix
with Printable Gift Tags



by Jane Lake

This soup mix recipe is one of the easiest jar recipes to assemble, using ingredients that you may already have in the pantry. Although you could use plain spiral pasta for this jar mix, the tricolor variety adds a lot of visual interest.

As you can see from our photos, you can separate the three colors of pasta for a pretty layered look, or simply pour the tricolor spirals into the jar as they come from the package. Both versions look attractive when you add our free printable jar labels - one for the front of your jar, and a label of instructions for the back.spiralbowl (9K)

Although I like this soup as it comes from the jar mix, you can add additional vegetables along with the canned tomatoes. Leftover peas and carrots, frozen french-style green beans or frozen corn would blend in beautifully. Serve this soup piping hot, with rounds of melba toast, crackers, or toasted garlic bread. Garnish with grated parmesan, if desired.

Spiral Soup Jar Mix


spiraltag1 (9K) Flavor Version 1:
1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
optional: 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp celery seed and 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup beef boullion granules
1/2 cup dried minced or flaked onion
3-1/2 cups of tri-colored spiral pasta (or enough to fill the jar)

Flavor Version 2: ~ contributed by Kate
2 TB dried basil
1 tsp herbes de provence
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/4 cup dried onions; 4 chicken bouillon cubes
3/4 cup dried tortellini
Fill the rest of the jar with the tri-colored spiral pasta.

Layered Gift in a Jar Instructions:


Easy to assemble and inexpensive to make!

Starting with the spices and ending with the pasta, layer the ingredients, in the order given, in a wide-mouthed 1-quart Mason jar. If you want a more formal look, separate the tri-color pasta and make a layer of each color.

Print the jar labels provided on this page and glue in place, or make your own gift labels.

spiraltag2 (18K) Cover the top of the jar with a circle of fabric held in place with a rubber band. Cover the rubber band with a twist of raffia or a ribbon and small bow.

Free Printable Jar Labels


Print the Spiral Soup Label for the front of the jar, then print the Spiral Soup Directions label. Cut out both labels and glue to the jar.

1-10 of 26 Comments
debbie – Missouri
Jun 29, 2009 - 12:30

I read the comments. My sister-in-law & brother are expecting their third child in July. Since it's not completly pre-made there's no rush to eat or freeze. Plus, since it's July they may not want soup - so the additional suggestions are great!

lisa – Monroe, LA
Apr 16, 2009 - 12:57

I made spiral soup for Christmas gifts this year. I put it in wide mouth jars and decorated them a little and they turned out beautiful. I had several of the people that I gave them to call me and asked me for the recipe and now we make this for weekly meals regularly. It was so simple to make and I was really proud to give these as gifts.

Foodlover – Centralia
Apr 04, 2009 - 10:30

Jane --
I just wanted to say thank you for putting these recipes and great pictures here for all to enjoy. I always add a few jars when doing meals for all the pregnant mommies in my group. Its nice to be able to just add water and other small ingredients when at home with a brand new baby. Everyone is always really appreciative to get them. My son also loves helping me to sort out the different colored pasta :) Keep up the good work.

Cindy Foss – Scottsdale, Az
Apr 01, 2009 - 14:14

I am looking for the little book Layered Soup Mixes in Jars by Jackie Gannaway. Is this Jackie?

unfortunate – canada
Jan 15, 2009 - 10:02

will you please remove upset indiana, it has nothing to do with the recipe

Reply to unfortunate
Jane Lake – Editor at AllFreeCrafts
Jan 15, 2009 - 10:29

The comment you're referring to upset me so much that I removed this entire page until I got several emails asking for the page to be returned. Perhaps your suggestion is best.

I usually allow negative comments to remain, in the interest of fairness - but you're right, this one is rude and obnoxious as well.

I will remove it - and thank you for your support!

Reply to unfortunate
Donna – Bristol, RI
Jan 15, 2009 - 12:18

I strongly agree with you! This person had some issues with her sister in law that had nothing to do with the recipe. I for one am so glad that I am not related to her. I was so shocked at the comment, that I asked the friends that I gave the gift to and out of three (the third hadn't tried yet) two of them were very grateful and appreciated of the gift. They said they truly enjoyed it and found no problems with the recipe. I omitted black pepper only! Both said they did not have to add any seasonings to improve. I had expressed my concerns due to the nasty feed back and all could not believe that someone could be so mean. Thanks for returning the page! Regards, Donna-Bristol, RI

Kat – Lancaster, PA
Dec 21, 2008 - 10:32

I wanted to say that I appreciate having this. We are moving out of state soon and I accidentally packed up my meals in jars book. I always try it first, given that what sounds great doesn't always come out great, or seem like a full meal (like one I tried out of the book last week.) Stuff happens, and the comments correct it. This is free. Thanks for the work you did in posting these! It's saving my bacon this Christmas!

Donna – Bristol, RI
Dec 19, 2008 - 09:54

Hi Jane, I wished I had read the comments before deciding to give these as gifts. Here's my story:
Printed recipe 12/8/08; it stated to add 1 tsp. pepper and 3 1/2 cups pasta. I felt it was something simple I could handle. Not much of a cook! Did trial run and the taste was extremely peppery and the pasta absorbed all the water. Taste was good, but too hot to eat.
Misplaced 12/8 print out; reprinted on 12/18. Never read comments.
The 12/18 print out had changes as follows: 1/4 tsp for pepper, which I decided to eliminate. The bouillon stated 1/3 cup vs. 3 tsp. I had remembered the 3 tsp. because I was having a hard time figuring the difference between a cube and a tsp. (another problem).
I ended up placing in gift bags vs. jars, but still printed tags with some of your information and giving the copyright information to cover that fact. Hope this was OK! I ended up using only 3 cubes of bouillon and 3 cups of pasta, eliminating the pepper all together.

Reply to Donna
Jane Lake – Editor at All Free Crafts
Dec 19, 2008 - 13:01

Hi, Donna,
First, let me say that I'm very sorry that my mistake has caused you this much trouble. This experience has been upsetting for me, and very humbling. Although the 8 cups of water, plus tomatoes is ok when you first make the soup, I did find after making three experimental pots the other day that the pasta absorbs all the water if it sits a while, and I had lots left overnight. Most cooks will add more water as it simmers away, but that does affect the taste.
I added a pound of browned ground beef to some of it and ended up with Lasagna style Hamburger Helper, then I added some beef and chili to another pot, to make Chili Mac.
But you asked about bouillon granules versus cubes. Well, my granules say to use a heaped teaspoon for a cup of broth, so I measured and got about 9 heaped teaspoons in a third of a cup.
Tha that, it seems you need 9 cubes, which sounds a lot, I know. I'm not sure if cubes are more concentrated, as I don't usually use those.
I do appreciate you sharing your story, and I'm sorry you've had this experience. I'm almost at the point of pulling this page completely, as my aim at AllFreeCrafts is to help people, not make more problems for them and this recipe seems to be causing more trouble than its worth.

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