Sopa de Fideo

Sopa de Fideo, also known as Mexican noodle soup, is indeed a comforting and delicious dish that brings warmth and satisfaction during the fall season.

There’s something incredibly soothing about a steaming bowl of thin noodles immersed in a flavorful broth. However, the comforting qualities of noodles extend beyond just their taste and texture.

Beyond their comforting qualities, noodles also offer nourishment and energy. They are a great source of carbohydrates, which provide the body with fuel and help keep us feeling full and satisfied. Noodles can be part of a balanced diet, offering a combination of essential nutrients, such as protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, depending on the type of noodles used.

Whether it’s a steaming bowl of ramen, a classic spaghetti dish, or a unique noodle creation from another culture, the comfort provided by noodles extends beyond taste, bringing nourishment, tradition, and a sense of well-being to those who enjoy them.

This authentic sopa de fideo recipe is here to help you bring all of that deliciousness right to your kitchen!

What is Sopa de Fideo?

Sopa de Fideo is also known as Mexican noodle soup and is a traditional dish made with simple ingredients that features thin fideo noodles simmered in a flavorful broth. It is a popular and beloved soup in Mexican cuisine, often enjoyed as a comforting and nourishing meal.

The key component of Sopa de Fideo is the noodles, which are typically broken into small pieces before being toasted in oil until they turn golden brown. This toasting process adds a nutty flavor and enhances the texture of the noodles. The toasted noodles are then combined with a mixture of onions, garlic, and tomatoes, creating a flavorful base for the savory soup.

Ingredients needed to make Sopa de Fideo

One of the great advantages of Sopa de Fideo is its simplicity and the fact that it can be prepared relatively quickly. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

• Neutral Oil – Grapeseed oil, canola, light olive oil, and vegetable oil are all excellent choices.
• Fideo Noodles – Fideo is a type of pasta that resembles broken spaghetti noodles. It is also sometimes labeled as fidelini. You can usually find it in the international aisle of your grocery store with the Mexican food.  The key is that you have thin pasta.
• Tomato Paste – This adds a little sweetness to the broth while also enhancing the natural tomato flavor from the fresh tomatoes.
• Chicken Broth – Adds bothiness and savory flavor to this soup while helping the noodles to cook.
• Salt
• Cumin – Warm, earthy, and lightly citrusy, this perfumes the entire soup.
• Tomatoes – Brings freshness and texture the soup along with a little acidity and sweetness.
• Sweet Onion – Adds depth to the aromatic broth.
• Garlic – Bright, sharp, and pungent, garlic perfumes the broth and adds depth.
• Jalapeno – You only need half a jalapeno. This gives a hint of spice without overpowering it.
• Limes – A squeeze of sunny lime at the end wakes up all of the flavors.
• Cotija Cheese – This salty Mexican cheese similar in flavor and texture to feta adds a salty and creamy pop to finish off the soup.

How to Make Sopa de Fideo

Sopa de Fideo’s quick cooking time and satisfying flavors make it an excellent choice for a weeknight meal or a cozy fall lunch. The simplicity of the recipe allows you to have a delicious homemade soup without much effort.

Served with warm tortillas, the comforting Mexican noodle soup becomes a hearty and fulfilling meal, perfect for dipping or wrapping. 

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner option or a cozy lunch during the fall season, Sopa de Fideo fits the bill, providing warmth, flavor, and a touch of comfort to your mealtime.

Substitutions

If you cannot find fideo noodles, you can replace them with thin spaghetti, vermicelli noodles, or even angel hair pasta. Simply break the large spaghetti noodles into smaller pieces and proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Variations of Sopa de Fideo

• Vegetarian – This recipe can be made vegetarian by replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth.  (vegetable stock and chicken stock are also options)
• Chicken – Add shredded chicken to the broth for sopa de pollo con fideos.
• Beef – Add ground beef or stew meat to this broth for sopa de res con fideos.
• Avocado – Have fun with your toppings. Avocado slices are a traditional topping that adds richness and texture.
• Spicy – Like things a little more spicy? Add the entire jalapeno when blending your sauce for this soup.

Tools Needed

• Stockpot/Dutch Oven – Pick a heavy bottomed pot that you can spread the fideo noodles out on, allowing them to toast. (A large saucepan will also do the trick)
• Blender – Use a blender to puree the tomato, onion, garlic, and jalapeno mixture. By creating a sauce it melts into the broth of this soup while also cooking faster.

How do you store Sopa de Fideo?

This delicious sopa de fideo makes for great leftovers. Simply store the leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to reheat, you may want to add additional chicken broth to thin it out as the noodles will absorb the broth.

Top Tip for Sopa de Fideo

Take your time and allow the fideo to toast. If they seem like they are starting to burn, turn your heat down and continue to stir them until they are golden and have a nutty aroma.

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