Description
Sopa de Fideo is a traditional Mexican noodle soup made with toasted fideo pasta simmered in a flavorful tomato and chicken broth base, enhanced with garlic, oregano, and cumin. This comforting and easy-to-make soup offers a perfect blend of savory and aromatic flavors, ideal for a quick lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Tomato Base
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh Mexican oregano (or Mediterranean oregano), chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Soup
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (7-ounce) package cut fideo pasta
- 1 quart chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Make tomato base: Combine the whole tomatoes, 1/4 cup of olive oil, garlic cloves, fresh oregano, kosher salt, and ground cumin in a blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming the flavorful tomato base for the soup.
- Toast noodles: Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot (at least 4 quarts) over medium heat. Add the cut fideo pasta and stir frequently, toasting the noodles until they turn golden brown and release a nutty aroma, about 4 minutes.
- Simmer: Pour the blended tomato base into the pot with the toasted noodles and cook it in the oil for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors. Then add the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the contents to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently until the pasta is tender and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
- Serve: Stir in the chopped cilantro to freshen and brighten the soup. Ladle the sopa de fideo into bowls and serve hot, enjoying its comforting flavors.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- To add more protein, consider serving with shredded cooked chicken or a fried egg on top.
- Fresh oregano is preferred for the authentic flavor, but Mediterranean oregano works well as a substitute.
- Adjust the salt to taste depending on the broth’s sodium content.
- To make the soup spicier, add a pinch of chili powder or chopped jalapeño when blending the tomato base.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
