Sopa de Fideo

Classic sopa de fideo only takes about 20 minutes to come together on the stovetop using simple ingredients. Nothing quite compares to comforting Mexican noodle soup!

Why this recipe works

Since you’re here, you probably already know what sopa de fideo is. But for those that don’t, it’s a brothy, extra comforting soup made up of toasted noodles simmered in a tomato-garlic broth. The best part about this recipe is the easy ingredients and quick cook time, which means lunch can be on the table without much effort. That’s a huge bonus in my book.

You didn’t have to grow up on Mexican noodle soup in order to love it, but nostalgia can definitely make it hit different! I used to make a pot of sopa de fideo whenever my kids got sick. A hefty bowl of hot noodle soup always seemed to do the trick, so much so that my daughter preferred it over chicken noodle soup when the winter colds crept through our household.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

NOODLES – Fideo is the Spanish word for noodle, and sopa translates to soup. You can find small packages of fideo (vermicelli) in the ethnic aisle of your local grocery store. You can also use thin spaghetti noodles or angel hair pasta. Simply break them into small pieces about an inch or two long first.

TOMATOES – Many traditional fideo soup recipes use fresh tomatoes, but in my version, I prefer to use fire-roasted diced tomatoes. You can certainly substitute with fresh tomatoes, or use your favorite brand of canned.

BROTH – This recipe calls for canned or boxed chicken broth, but many families like to use water and bouillon. The brand I’ve seen used most often for this soup is Knorr, but your favorite brand will also work great. If you make your own homemade chicken stock, use 6 cups for this recipe.

CILANTRO – The flavor of the cilantro really makes this soup, and it wouldn’t be the same without it. Grab a fresh bunch of cilantro at your local grocer and use any leftovers to make fresh salsa. You can also chop your remaining cilantro and freeze it in ice cube trays by filling each compartment with fresh cilantro and some water.

How to Make Sopa de Fideo

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Combine canned tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Warm olive oil in a medium skillet and add fideo noodles. Cook over medium low heat, stirring regularly, until all pasta noodles are golden brown. Remove from heat.
3. Combine tomato mixture, chicken broth, and the noodles in a medium saucepan. Season with pepper and salt to taste.
4. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium (gentle boil) until noodles are almost tender, about 7-8 minutes.
5. Add chopped cilantro and cook 2 more minutes or until noodles are done.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Absolutely! Feel free to toss in some shredded cooked chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken towards the end of the cook time.

While it isn’t an absolute must, I would highly, highly recommend it. Toasting the noodles in olive oil gives the fideo soup a lovely nutty-toasted flavor that can’t be beat. It also helps firm up the noodles so they don’t end up mushy.

Fideo soaks up a lot of the broth the longer it sits. Simply add more broth to loosen. It’s always best to serve right away, but when reheating any leftovers, I would always recommend adding some more broth. You may want to add a little bit of salt as well when adding extra liquid. Taste and adjust to preference.

Yes, you can definitely make sopa de fideos ahead of time, but do keep in mind that the noodles will soak up a lot of the liquid as it sits. As mentioned above, you can simply add more broth when reheating. Allow the soup to fully cool before transferring to an air tight container. Keep in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding extra broth if needed.

Freezing sopa de fideo is possible, but it’s truly best when fresh. The noodles act like a sponge, soaking up the liquids. Therefore, the noodles get quite mushy. While the texture isn’t nearly as good as it would be fresh, you can allow the soup to fully cool before transferring it to an airtight container or portioning it into souper cubes to freeze for up to 2 months. You can also freeze just the broth, that way, you can prepare the noodles fresh!

Serving Suggestions

Sopa de fideo is often served as a starter, but it makes an excellent lunch or a soothing soup when you’re feeling under the weather.

Pair it with tacos, enchiladas, Mexican short ribs, or tostadas, to name a few. Optionally garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, sliced avocado, or a bit of Mexican crema. Enjoy!

More Soup Recipes

• Taco Soup
• Lasagna Soup
• Black Bean Soup
• Chicken Tortilla Soup

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This post was originally published on this blog on Feb 9, 2009 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.