Welcome to the ultimate comfort food: Sopa de Fideo! This classic Mexican noodle soup is a hug in a bowl, loved by generations for its simple, heartwarming flavor.
Tracing its roots back to Spanish influence, sopa de fideo has evolved into a beloved staple in Mexican cuisine.
Making this authentic fideo soup is incredibly easy and quick, perfect for any weeknight meal. It’s an affordable dish that brings a taste of pure nostalgia to your kitchen table. Get ready to fall in love with this simple, soul-soothing recipe for sopa de fideo that feels just like coming home to a warm hug.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Fideo Soup Recipe
- Incredibly Quick: This entire dish comes together in about 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal fast.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with simple, inexpensive pantry staples, this fideo soup recipe delivers maximum flavor without breaking the bank.
- Perfectly Comforting: The toasted noodles in a savory tomato broth make this Mexican noodle soup the ultimate cozy meal for chilly days or when you need a little comfort.
- Kid-Approved: Children adore the tiny noodles and mild flavor. This recipe is a guaranteed hit with even the pickiest eaters!
- Easily Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe by adding vegetables, protein, or adjusting the spice level to suit your family’s tastes.
Ingredients
Gathering the ingredients for this comforting fideo recipe is wonderfully simple! Everything you need is likely already in your pantry or easily found at your local grocery store. The key to a great Mexican noodle soup is the rich tomato base and perfectly toasted noodles that give it a signature nutty flavor.
- Fideo Pasta: One 7-ounce package of fideo noodles.
- Neutral Oil: 2 tablespoons of avocado oil.
- Canned Tomato Sauce: ½ cup canned tomato sauce.
- Fresh Tomato Base: 2 Roma tomatoes, 1 garlic clove, ½ small onion.
- Seasoning: 4 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder, ½ teaspoon salt.
- Liquid: 6 to 7 cups of water.
- Herbs & Toppings: Cilantro, sour cream, queso fresco.
Notes & Substitutions
- Pasta: If you can’t find fideo, break angel hair pasta into 1-inch pieces. Alphabet or star pasta also works well.
- Broth: For richer flavor, swap water with chicken or vegetable broth.
- Spice: Use a spicy canned tomato sauce (like El Pato) or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the blender.
- Consistency: For a silky broth, strain the blended tomato base.
Equipment
You don’t need any fancy tools to make this easy recipe. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand to create the perfect sopa de fideo at home:
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven: For toasting the noodles and simmering.
- Blender: To create the smooth tomato base.
- Fine-Mesh Strainer: Optional, for a thinner, clearer broth.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons.
How To Make Fideo Soup
Making this authentic recipe is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these steps for a perfect bowl every time!
- Prepare the Tomato Base: In your blender, combine the Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken bouillon. Blend on high for about a minute until the mixture is completely smooth and no large chunks remain. This fresh sauce is the heart of your fideo soup’s flavor.
- Strain the Sauce (Optional): For a thinner, more traditional soup consistency, pour the blended tomato mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Use the back of a spoon to press the liquid through, leaving any pulp or seeds behind. If you prefer a thicker, more rustic soup, you can skip this step entirely.
- Toast the Fideo: Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the entire package of fideo pasta. Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the noodles turn a beautiful, even golden-brown color. Watch them closely, as the thin noodles can burn very quickly!
- Combine the Sauces: Carefully pour the strained fresh tomato sauce and the canned tomato sauce into the pot with the toasted fideo. Listen for a satisfying sizzle! Stir everything together and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step toasts the tomato paste slightly, deepening the flavor of your soap de video.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in 6 to 7 cups of water and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Taste the broth and add the salt as needed. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
- Finish and Cook: Once simmering, add a handful of fresh cilantro to the pot for aroma and flavor. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the fideo noodles are tender but still have a slight bite.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the pot from the heat. Ladle your delicious homemade fideo soup into bowls and serve immediately with all your favorite toppings for the best experience.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Don’t Skip the Toasting: Toasting the fideo noodles is essential for an authentic recipe. It prevents them from getting mushy and adds a wonderful nutty flavor that defines this dish.
- Control the Consistency: For a thicker fideo soup, use less water (start with 6 cups) or skip straining the tomato base. For a thinner broth, add a bit more water at the end.
- Taste as You Go: Always taste the broth before serving. You may need to add a pinch more salt or bouillon to get the flavor just right.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a seeded jalapeño to the blender for extra heat.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Fideo Recipe Serving Suggestions
- This sopa de fideo is all about the toppings! Serve it hot with a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese. Many families enjoy it with a side of corn tortillas spread with mayo or even with slices of banana in the bowl for a sweet and savory contrast.
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover fideo soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The noodles will absorb liquid, so add a splash of water when reheating your fideo soup on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Fun Variations
- Add Veggies: Stir in frozen peas, corn, or diced carrots.
- Boost Protein: Add pre-cooked shredded chicken or browned ground beef.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided below is a rough estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used. This information is calculated using an online calculator and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice. It is intended for informational purposes only, providing a general idea of the nutritional content.
For additional evidence-based nutrition guidance, see the American Heart Association’s healthy eating recommendations.
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 285 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Protein | 8g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Sodium | 950mg |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 5g |
FAQ
What is fideo soup?
Sopa de Fideo is a traditional Mexican noodle soup made with a tomato-based broth and toasted fideo noodles. This delicious fideo soup is a beloved comfort food staple in many Mexican and Mexican-American households.
Can I use regular spaghetti instead of fideo?
Yes, you can! Simply break regular spaghetti or angel hair pasta into 1-inch pieces before toasting for a very similar result.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, simply use vegetable broth instead of water and a vegetable-based bouillon cube. It’s an easy and delicious swap!
How long does this soup last in the fridge?
Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The noodles will soften over time.
Conclusion
There is nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade fideo soup to bring comfort and joy to your dinner table. This recipe is wonderfully simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to become a family favorite. It proves that a delicious, satisfying meal doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. I truly hope you enjoy making this classic fideo soup. If you try it, please leave a comment and a star rating below to let me know how it turned out for you
Easy Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Equipment
- large pot
- Blender
- Fine Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 1 package fideo pasta or angel hair pasta, broken up
- 2 tbsp neutral oil avocado oil recommended
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce El Pato hot tomato sauce recommended for a little kick
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 small onion
- 4 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon
- 6-7 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt to taste, recommended
- cilantro for soup and garnish
Optional Toppings
- sour cream
- banana slices
- tortilla with mayo
- queso fresco or cotija cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Blend roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, and Knorr chicken bouillon until smooth, yielding about 1 cup of sauce. Strain through a fine mesh strainer if a thinner consistency is desired, removing any leftover solids.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add fideo pasta and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until it turns light brown.
- Pour in the blended tomato sauce along with 1/2 cup of canned tomato sauce, cooking for 1-2 minutes while adjusting heat as needed.
- Add 6 to 7 cups of water and stir; taste and add about 1/2 tsp salt, then bring the soup to a simmer.
- Stir in the cilantro, then cover the pot and reduce heat to low, simmering for 10 minutes or until the fideo pasta is fully cooked.
- Serve the sopa de fideo immediately with your preferred toppings, such as bananas, sour cream, or a corn tortilla with mayo.