Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)

Everyones favorite Tomato Soup gets an upgrade with noodles. Tomato Noodle Soup? You got it right. Sopa de Fideo is Mexico’s version of everyone’s beloved tomato soup.

With its simple ingredients – thin noodles and a flavorful tomato broth – this dish is the epitome of comfort food. Sopa de Fideo is an easy and quick recipe, perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you need a soothing meal.

If you’re looking for something both delicious and straightforward, make this staple from many Mexican homes…

Imagine thin pasta noodles simmered to perfection in a rich tomato-based broth, accompanied by toppings of your choice. The noodles absorb the beautiful flavors, resulting in a soul-warming, hearty meal that can be enjoyed anytime.

It’s incredibly popular with many Latin families because it’s not only delicious, but also quick and easy to prepare. Imagine curling up with a bowl of Sopa de Fideo on a chilly evening, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl!

The best part? It’s a cinch to make. You can whip it up in less than 30 minutes! Plus its customizable to various additions to the basic soup.

Very soon, this will become your go-to dish for busy weeknights or when you just want something cozy and filling. It’s totally family-friendly, so even the kiddos will be asking for seconds.

In the past, we have given you some of our best Mexican soups like Caldo de Pollo and Albondigas Soup. They take a little work, but are loaded with tons of good flavors.

Today’s Sopa is comparatively very quick and simple to make, with just a few pantry staples. We were amazed at the flavor with just some tomato based broth and noodles.

We Love Sopa de Fideo for

• Comfort Factor: This is the dish you want after a long day. It’s comforting, hearty, and deeply satisfying.
• Versatility: Feel free to toss in some vegetables, rotisserie chicken, or even some sautéed ground beef. The base recipe is a canvas for culinary creativity!
• Ease to Make: You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen. In under 30 minutes, you can have this steaming bowl of deliciousness ready.
• Family-Friendliness: Loved by both kids and adults, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
• Budget Friendly: Made with regular pantry staples, its a great cheap dinner idea!!

What is Fideo?

Fideo is essentially a type of pasta that’s very similar to spaghetti or vermicelli, but it’s usually cut into shorter lengths. Often found in Spanish, Mexican, and Filipino cuisines, fideo is quite versatile.

You can find it in different shapes like coils, straight sticks, or even small broken pieces. Its thinness allows it to cook quickly, making it a popular choice for speedy weeknight dinners or last-minute meal prep.

It’s the star ingredient in dishes like Sopa de Fideo, where its thinness allows it to absorb flavors beautifully, making a very delicious and comforting meal.

You can easily find Fideo pasta at your local grocery store, usually in the pasta section or where they keep international foods. Brands like La Moderna or Goya often sell it. You can also visit a Latin or Mexican grocery store, where Fideo is almost always in stock.

Sopa de Fideo

The term “Sopa de Fideo” is Spanish and directly translates to “noodle soup” in English. “Sopa” means soup, and “Fideo” refers to the noodles that are used in the dish. It’s a beloved comfort food in many Latin and Mexican households, known for its rich tomato-based broth and the delicious, flavor-absorbing noodles.

In essence, Sopa de Fideo captures the comfort and simplicity of home-cooked meals in just two words: noodle soup.

Sopa de Fideo has an interesting blend of culinary influences that make it a staple in Mexican and some Latin American cuisines. The dish traces its roots back to Spain, where noodle soups have been enjoyed for centuries.

When Spanish colonizers came to Mexico, they brought along their culinary traditions, including the love for noodle soups.

Over time, the dish adapted to local ingredients and culinary techniques, resulting in the Sopa de Fideo we know today – a comforting bowl of noodles simmered in a tomato-based broth, often spiced up with local flavors like cilantro, lime, and sometimes even chili peppers.

It’s often enjoyed as a simple, quick meal, but also finds its place in gatherings and family dinners. You will find lots of versions and family favorites from one home to another.

We tried this simple tomato noodle soup a few times, and our latest version had one special ingredient that we think is huge flavor bomb.

Sopa de Fideo Ingredients

• Fideo Pasta – The main star! Substitutes like thin spaghetti or vermicelli, broken into small pieces work too.
• Roma Tomatoes – These add a luscious, tomatoee base for your broth.
• Onion & Garlic – Aromatic essentials that bring depth and complexity to the soup. Don’t skip these!
• Sazon – Our Secret ingredient!! You might not find this in typical Mexican sopa, but this seasoning is used heavily in many Latin American countries. This seasoning is a flavor bomb!
• Chicken Bouillon – For that rich, meaty undertone. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable bouillon.
• Tomato Paste – Optional, but if you want to intensify that tomatoee goodness, go for it!
• Cumin – Adds a smoky, earthy note, making the soup even more irresistible.
• Salt – To taste, because the right amount of salt makes everything better.
• Cilantro – A burst of freshness! It adds tremendous flavor profile to the soup.
• Toppings – Avocado and more cilantro.

Easy Sopa de Fideo Recipe

1. Make the tomato sauce: Add tomatoes, onions, garlic, tomato paste, sazon, chicken bouillon, cumin and salt to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Set aside.

2. Toast the Fideo: Heat oil in heavy bottom sauce pan or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the fideo pasta (broken into 1-2 inch pieces) and sauté, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.

3. Simmer the noodles: Add the blended tomato sauce and cook for 5 minutes. Add water and reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Stir occasionally. Add a small bunch of cilantro towards the last 10 minutes of cook time. Taste and adjust for salt.

4. Serve with toppings: You can top it with diced avocado, cilantro, lime, or even some crumbled Mexican cheese like Cotija or Queso Fresco.

Tips for BEST Sopa de Fideo

Though this Fideo Soup is pretty simple and straight forwards, making that perfect sopa is all in the details! Here are some of our tips.

• Toast the Noodles: Don’t skip this step! Toasting the fideo pasta until golden brown adds a nutty depth to the soup that’s absolutely irresistible. Pay attention when toasting the pasta, it can burn easily. So keep stirring until is evenly golden browned.
• Quality Tomatoes: Fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes will make your blended sauce sing with flavor. If they’re in season, definitely go for them!
• Fresh Herbs: Using fresh cilantro for the last few minutes of cooking will give your soup a bright, vibrant flavor boost.
• Cook Time: Be cautious not to overcook the noodles, they should be tender but still have a little bite.
• Taste Test: Always taste the soup before serving and adjust the salt or seasonings as needed. This is your final flavor check, so make it count!
• Garnish: Don’t underestimate the power of garnishes. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and some diced avocado can elevate the dish in seconds.

Possible Variations fort Sopa de Fideo

1. Protein Boost: This one is our favorites. We simply sauté ground beef with a little garlic and salt and mix it into the soup. Amazing!!

When ground beef is added to Sopa de Fideo, it’s often referred to as “Sopa de Fideo con Carne” or “Sopa de Fideo with Ground Beef.” The addition of ground beef turns the dish into a more hearty and protein-packed meal.

This variation is particularly popular for those looking for a more filling version of the classic noodle soup. Just like the original, this beefy rendition is rich in flavors and super satisfying, perfect for when you want a little extra oomph in your bowl!

Similarly you can add leftover rotisserie chicken to the soup.

2. Veggie Delight: Toss in bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots for a hearty vegetable version.

3. Cheesy Goodness: A sprinkle of grated cheese like cheddar or cotija can make it exceptionally indulgent.

4. Heat it Up: For spice lovers, adding a touch of cayenne pepper, red chili flakes or sliced jalapeños will give the dish some kick.

5. Play with Pasta: You can also use other pasta shapes like alphabet, stars, or shells for this recipe.

What is a Good Substitute for Fideo?

If you’re in a pinch and can’t find Fideo, don’t worry, you’ve got options:

• Vermicelli: These are thin noodles similar to Fideo and can be broken into shorter pieces.
• Spaghetti: Break regular or thin spaghetti into shorter lengths for a close match.
• Angel Hair Pasta: This is thinner than spaghetti and works well too.
• Rice Noodles: These are gluten-free and can be a good substitute if you’re looking for something different.

Each of these alternatives will give you a slightly different texture and taste, and their cooking time may vary, but they can all work well in Sopa de Fideo. So go ahead, swap it out and keep cooking delicious meals!

Leftovers and Storing

This sopa is great as leftovers for the next few days. Simply place them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The noodles might absorb more liquid as it sits for a few days. When reheating, add a little chicken stock or water to adjust to the desired consistency.

Heat it over medium heat on stovetop, stirring until heated all through out. Similarly, you can heat this up in the microwave as well.

Try this super simple Mexican soup and get amazed at how something so easy can be so comforting and good. It’s all in the flavorings that go into making the tomato broth tasty.

Whether you go classic or decide to jazz it up with some ground beef or extra veggies, we assure you, this one is a keeper. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our collection of favorite Mexican Soup Recipes as well, and get inspired to cook these new flavors in your kitchen.

Sopa de Fideo, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

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