Description
Sopa de Fideo is a traditional Mexican soup featuring toasted thin fideo noodles simmered in a flavorful tomato and herb broth. This comforting, easy-to-make dish combines blended whole tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic spices with toasted pasta, creating a rich and satisfying meal perfect for any day.
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 olive oil, garlic, 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: In a soup pot (at least 4 quarts capacity), heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fideo pasta and stir frequently, toasting the noodles until they become golden brown and fragrant, about 4 minutes. This toasting step adds a nutty depth to the soup.
- Simmer: Pour the blended tomato base into the pot with the toasted noodles and fry it gently for a minute or two, allowing the flavors to meld. Then, add the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer until the pasta is tender and cooked through, around 5 minutes.
- Serve: Stir in the chopped cilantro to add fresh herbal notes. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately, enjoying the warm, comforting flavors of this classic Mexican fideo soup.
Notes
- You can substitute Mediterranean oregano if Mexican oregano is unavailable, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Vegetarian or vegan broth can be used instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version.
- Adjust salt levels as needed depending on your broth's sodium content.
- To deepen flavor, you can lightly char the tomatoes under a broiler before blending.
- Fideo pasta can sometimes be substituted with vermicelli or angel hair pasta if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
