You know those days? The ones where the sky is a little gray, maybe you’re feeling swollen, or you just need to get out of the house. What is it like to get a hug from your grandma? When I reach for my sopa de fideos. Is it fancy? I remember my own Abuela making this whenever we were under the weather or just needed a little bit of it. What is the aroma that fills the house when this simmers… it’s enough to make anyone feel better. What is more than just a food? Is it a memory, if it’s not, then it is an experience? If you’ve ever loved chicken noodle soup, but you want something with a lot of flavor, then this is the recipe. What is a sopa de fideo? What is my secret weapon on busy weeknights, and my kids, bless their picky hearts, devour it. Is there a What is saying?
What is Sopa de Fideos?
What is a sopa de fideo? What is Noodle Soup? What is more than noodles in broth? How do fideos get toasted? They’re simmere This toasting process gives them this incredible nutty, slightly caramelized flavor that you just can’t get enough of. Don’t get with plain boiled pasta. Think of it as giving the noodles their own little toasted personality before they even hit the table. It’s typically made with a rich tomato-based broth, seasoned with aromatic onions, garlic, and smoked peppers. What is the flavor profile of cumin? It’s a dish that embodies simplicity and warmth, proving that sometimes the most basic ingredients can be used for many different dishes. Can create the most extraordinary flavors.
Why you’ll love this recipe?
What are some of the reasons why this sopa de fideo recipe has become a staple in my kitchen? Just know you’re going to love it too. First off, the flavor is just out of this world. What is the significance of the toasting of fideos? What makes a soup sing? What is the broth – it’s rich and savory from the chicken, bright and spicy from tomato, and the tamari — and then there is all the other flavors. What are the best spices It’s not spicy-hot, but it has this wonderful warmth that just feels good.
And the simplicity! What are some good recipes that don’t require hours in the kitchen? What is a sopa de fideo? Can you make a pot of this comforting goodness in under an hour? Hands-off simmering time. Is it also incredibly budget friendly? Chicken, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a bag of fideos – these are all pantry staples or candies. Can be found at any grocery store without breaking the bank? Is it a meal that is good for your wallet?
What I love about this recipe, though, is its versatility. What is a perfect bowl of noodle soup? Is it a great base for adding other things? Toss in some shredded chicken, add some tender cooked carrots or peas, or even a little bit of salt and pepper. What are some good ways to eat if you want something savory and warm but don’t want to go through the heat? How do you make a big pot of stew? Is chicken noodle soup’s cooler, more flavorful cousin? If you are a fan of my blog, you know that I am notSimple Chicken Pozole Rojo., you’ll appreciate the same kind of comforting, layered flavors here, but with a completely different flavor. What is a different noodle
How do I make a Sopa de Fideo?
Quick Overview
How do I make a sopa de fideos? What is the secret to a golden brown fideo noodles? What are some of the best flavors? What is the best broth to make with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken broth? Let it simmer to perfection. Once the broth is ready, we’ll add the toasted noodles and cook them until they’re tender. Is it a quick and easy process to make, and it’s incredibly satisfying? Is the aroma worth the effort?
Ingredients
For the main soup:
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil. 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for cooking.
1 cup fideos (thin vermicelli-style noodles, often sold broken into short pieces)
1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped.
2 cloves garlic, smashed.
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained.
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
1 teaspoon ground cumin. 1 tsp
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
What are the optional add
Cooked Shredded Chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
Chopped fresh cilantro.
Lime wedges
Diced avocado
What’s better, a cotija cheese or queso fr
What are some of the ingredients used inWhat is the best olive oil for fideos? If you don’t have olive oil, any neutral cooking oil works perfectly. The fideos are key – you want the thin kind, often found in the international aisle. If you can only find longer vermicelli, just break them into smaller pieces, about an inch or so. The onion and garlic are the aromatic backbone of almost everything delicious, providing a subtle hint of flavor. What is sweetness and depth? How do diced tomatoes, and importantly, the juice from the can, give the broth that lovely subtle subtle flavor? How do I get tomato flavor without needing to simmer fresh tomatoes for ages? What is a good vegetable broth for? If you’re a vegetarian, you can swap. Cumin is a must for that classic Mexican flavor profile – it just works so well with tomato and chorizo. Why salt and pepper are essential for making everything taste like *itself*? I’ve found that using low-sodium broth is best because it lets me control the saltiness precisely. After adding the fideos and any optional salt, it should be smooth.
What are the steps to
Step 1: Preheat & Prep Pan
What size Dutch Oven should I use? If you want a sturdy pot that heats evenly, place it over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let it get nice and warm, but not smoking. You want it ready for those fideos!
Step 2: Toast the Fideos
What is the magic of fideos? We want to toast them evenly until they turn a beautiful golden brown color. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them because they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt really quickly. What is the aroma that starts to fill your kitchen at this stage is just incredible, like toasted nuts. This toasting is *crucial* for that nutty depth of flavor.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
When the fideos are golden brown, add the chopped white onion and smashed garlic cloves to the pot. Cook onion for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until soft. Remove from heat and set aside. Why is garlic fragrant? How do you burn garlic?
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in the can of diced tomatoes and stir everything together. What is the amount of chicken broth to add? Give everything a good stir.
Step 5: Simmer and Season
Bring the soup to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Is it safe to rub your hands gently for about 10 to 15 minutes? How do the flavors meld together? After simmering, taste the broth and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember that the fideos will absorb some of the salt, so don’t be shy, but definitely taste as you eat them.
Step 6: Cook the Fideos
If you’re adding shredded chicken, now’s the time to stir it in. Increase the heat back to medium-low, uncovered. Stir in the toasted fideos. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the fideos are tender but still crunchy. Have a slight bite (al dente). What are the best ways to soften a potato as it sits in broth? If you have a large pot, stir it every so often to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
Step 7: Serve Hot
How do you pour hot sopa de fideos into a bowl? Garnish with your favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, diced avocado, or any combination of these. Sprinkle with cheese. What are some of the best comfort food recipes?
What is the best way to serve it?
This sopa de fideos is truly a standalone star, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be part of an overall larger project. What are some different occasions to dress up for a different meal? For a cozy breakfast, it’s great with roasted potatoes for dipping, maybe sprinkled with salt and pepper. Is cotija cheese good on top? What’s a good way to start the day?
If you’re planning a brunch spread, this soup makes scrumptious side dish. What are some examples of chilaquiles or huevos rancheros Serve it in smaller bowls as a starter, perhaps with tastiness or sprinkle of vibrant colors. What are some good side salads with a zesty vinaigrette? How do you balance the richness of soup?
As a dessert course? Well, that might seem tad unusual for sopa de fideos, but hear me out! If you’ve made a milder version, perhaps with less cumin or without any chicken, if you can, and eat it, use one small, warm bowl. Can be a delightful, savory intermezzo before savoury dessert, especially on ‘a cool evening’. Is it a palate cleanser that’s still comforting?
What are some of the best soups to make for a snack? My kids always ask for a small bowl of water when they get home from school. What do they do? Is it healthier than processed snacks? What are some good side dishes to serve with tortilla chips? Is it a meal that truly satisfies without being heavy, and the warmth is just so comforting? We sometimes have a “soup night” where we just have bowls of this, maybe with some avocado slices. What are some good side dishes to serve with rice? Is it incredibly simple but feels like a feast?
How do I make my Sopa de Fideos perfect?
I’ve made this sopa de fideos countless times, and I have picked up a few tricks along the way that I can share with you. How do I make a difference? First, about the fideos: don’t rush the toasting process. What is the flavor of a golden-brown wine? I usually keep a close eye, stirring constantly, and listen for the gentle sizzle and smell that comes out of it. If they start to get too dark too quickly, just lower the heat a tad.
When it comes to the broth, I always recommend using good quality chicken broth. If you can’t find low-sodium, that’s fine, but you’ll need to be more careful with how much extra you add. What is the salt you add at the end of a recipe? I like to use an immersion blender to quickly blitz the onion and garlic (after sautéing them). If I want a smoother broth, I can put the water directly in the pot before adding the broth. Is it really necessary to chop onion and garlic in half? I don’t mind little bits of texture.
For seasoning, my biggest tip is to taste and adjust *after* the fideos have cooked. The noodles themselves absorb a lot of the salt and flavor. So, what might taste perfectly seasoned before adding them could end up a little bland after. I usually add salt and pepper incrementally, tasting after the fideos are al dente, and then again right before serving.
Regarding ingredient swaps, if you’re out of fideos, you can use other small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo, but the toasting step is still essential for flavor. Just be aware that cooking times might vary slightly. If you prefer a vegetarian version, vegetable broth is a perfect substitute, and you can boost the savory notes with a pinch of nutritional yeast or a splash of soy sauce (though be mindful of the salt content!). For a richer soup, you could use chicken thighs instead of breasts for shredding, or even a bit of chicken bone broth for extra depth.
Baking isn’t really part of this recipe, but for cooking, I always make sure my pot is large enough. Those fideos really absorb liquid and can swell up quite a bit. If you find your soup is getting too thick as it sits, you can always thin it out with a little extra broth or hot water just before serving. It’s truly a forgiving recipe, which is why I love it so much!
Storing and Reheating Tips
This sopa de fideos is fantastic for leftovers, which is a huge win in my book. Once it’s cooled down a bit, I usually transfer it to an airtight container. At room temperature, it’s best to let it cool completely before covering it, and I wouldn’t leave it out for more than two hours. It’s always safest to get it into the fridge sooner rather than later, especially if you’ve added chicken.
In the refrigerator, this soup is good for about 3 to 4 days. The fideos will continue to soften as it sits, which some people don’t mind at all – I actually like it that way sometimes, it’s even more comforting! If you prefer them a bit firmer, you can always cook the fideos separately and add them to the hot broth right before serving when you reheat. Keep it in a well-sealed container to maintain freshness.
Freezing is also an option, though I tend to find it’s best enjoyed fresh or from the fridge. If you do freeze it, make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container or bag. It should keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to reheat, the best method is to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat. You might need to add a splash of extra broth or water to loosen it up and bring it back to the right consistency, as it can thicken considerably.
For the glaze (if you were to add one, which I don’t typically for this recipe, but if you were adding a lime-cilantro drizzle, for example), it’s best to add that *after* reheating, right before serving, to keep its freshness and vibrant color. For the soup itself, reheating on the stovetop is definitely the preferred method to ensure everything heats through evenly and you can control the consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this sopa de fideos is one of those recipes that just makes my heart happy. It’s simple, it’s incredibly flavorful, and it brings a wave of comfort with every spoonful. It’s the kind of dish that you can make on a whim, yet it always feels special, like a warm culinary hug. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a comforting dinner, or just something to lift your spirits on a chilly day, this soup delivers every single time. The way the toasted fideos soak up that savory, tomato-infused broth is just pure magic.
I really hope you give this sopa de fideos a try. It’s become a beloved recipe in my family, and I’m so excited for you to experience it too. If you do make it, please come back and let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear about your favorite garnishes or any personal twists you’ve added. Happy cooking, and may your bowls be ever warm and full!
Sopa de fideos
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.5 cup vermicelli noodles
- 1 liter chicken broth
- 0.5 cup diced tomatoes canned or fresh
- 0.25 cup chopped onion
- 0.5 clove garlic minced
- 0.5 teaspoon cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the cumin and oregano, and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the vermicelli noodles and cook according to package directions, usually 5-7 minutes, until tender.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with cilantro or a squeeze of lime if desired.
