Sopa de Fideo

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Dig into the rich and comforting flavors of sopa de fideo, featuring roasted tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and toasted noodles. This dish is quick and easy to make, requires only 6 ingredients, and is ultra-satisfying. Serve it warm with garnishes like lime juice, avocado, and cilantro for a well-balanced meal.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

• Simple to make: With everyday pantry staples and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up a bowl of sopa de fideo in no time.
• Depth of flavor: Roasting tomatoes add a depth of flavor that’s unparalleled, giving the fideo soup a rich base.
• Perfect for all occasions: Whether it’s a weekday lunch, dinner with close friends, or a sick day meal, this sopa de fideo recipe always hits the spot.
• Nutritious & filling: This fideo soup is packed with fresh ingredients, providing a whole host of essential vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.

If you love this sopa de fideo recipe, you should really check out our sopa de conchas, sopa de coditos, sopa de frijoles, and vegan tortilla soup.

🍲What is sopa de fideo?

Sopa de fideo, meaning noodle soup, holds a very special place in the hearts of children and adults around the globe. In Mexico, it’s prepared in a unique and delicious way that we can’t wait to share with you!

Short, thin noodles are first toasted in oil, then they’re cooked in a tomato-based sauce rather than boiled separately in water. This way, they have the chance to soak up the flavors incredibly well.

Plus, the tomatoes are roasted to add incredible depth. Each spoonful is bursting with slightly smoky, tangy, and toasty notes. It’s great for busy weeknight dinners or as a quick lunch with sandwiches.

📜 History

Sopa de fideo is said to have originated in Spain. It was then introduced to the regions of the Spanish conquest, like the Philippines and Central and South America.

From there, sopa de fideo transformed and took on special characteristics of each specific location. In Mexico, this soup is filled with a tomato and stock mix, and (occasionally) spices like cilantro, parsley, or cumin.

🌱 Is sopa de fideo vegan?

Typically, sopa de fideo recipes are made with chicken broth, but it’s incredibly easy to make a vegan version. Just replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth for an equally flavorful dish that is completely plant-based.

Additionally, while queso fresco is a traditional garnish, it’s also not vegan-friendly. You can easily substitute queso fresco with dairy-free cheese or omit it altogether.

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

• Tomatoes: Once roasted, Roma tomatoes impart a rich, tangy flavor. If you don’t have Romas available, you can try other tomato varieties with varied results.
• Garlic: Adds a savory depth and aroma. If fresh garlic cloves aren’t available, garlic powder can work as a substitute in a pinch.
• White onion: Provides a sweet, savory, and robust flavor. Yellow onions also work equally as well as white onions. For a milder option, try shallots.
• Vegetable broth: Makes up the base of the fideo soup. Homemade or store-bought veggie broth both work. You can also try Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base to emulate non-vegan versions.
• Neutral vegetable oil: To sauté the pasta and add a rich flavor. We typically just use avocado oil, but you can replace it with olive oil, sunflower oil, or vegan butter.
• Fideo: This type of thin noodle is typically made from durum wheat and cut short before packaging. If you can’t find fideo, try vermicelli or broken spaghetti.
• Salt & pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the other flavors of the soup. Adjust both according to your preference.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 How to make sopa de fideo

Step 1: Roast the tomatoes

Preheat your oven to 450F and get those Roma tomatoes roasted! This step enhances the flavors, giving your fideo soup an extra layer of flavor. Remember to flip them for even roasting.

Step 2: Blend the base

Once roasted, blend the tomatoes with onions and garlic. This step infuses the flavors seamlessly, creating a smooth base for your soup.

Step 3: Toast the noodles

In a pot, heat the vegetable oil and give the noodles a toast for a few minutes until they’re golden brown. This not only adds flavor but also helps prevent the noodles from turning too soggy.

Step 4: Pour & simmer

Strain the tomato mixture into the noodles along with vegetable broth. Gently simmer the fideo soup until the pasta becomes al dente. We recommend tasting and seasoning the soup with salt and pepper as you go. Happy eating!

If you have questions about this sopa de fideo recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🥑 Garnishes for sopa de fideo

Take your bowl of sopa de fideo to the next level with flavorful toppings like these:

• Lime wedges
• Creamy avocado cubes or slices
• Crumbled vegan queso fresco or vegan cotija cheese
• A handful of fresh cilantro or parsley
• Sprinkled Mexican oregano
• Your favorite kind of hot sauce

🌡️ Storage & reheating

This sopa de fideo recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but here’s what to do if you have leftovers:

• Fridge: Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 
• Freezer: Sopa de fideo holds well in the freezer for up to a month. We recommend storing it in single-serve containers that are freezer-safe. That way, the thawing and reheating process is easier for you. 
• Reheating: Heat this soup on your stovetop over low-medium for 2-3 minutes until warm. You can also heat it in the microwave in 30-45 second bursts. If it’s frozen, thaw your fideo soup in the fridge overnight before heating.

♻️ Variations

• Protein boost: Add cooked black beans or chickpeas to bulk your sopa de fideo up.
• Spicy: Mix in some jalapeños or hot sauce for a kick.
• Creamy: Add a dollop of dairy-free sour cream or vegan Mexican crema.
• Herbs: Mix in cilantro, basil, parsley, or rosemary for a fresh touch.
• Cheesy: Melt in some vegan cheddar or mozzarella.
• Grains: Mix in quinoa or rice for added texture.
• Veggies: To add a little more oomph, mix in chopped bell peppers, squash, carrots, or zucchini before simmering the soup.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

• Use fresh tomatoes: It requires a little extra effort to roast the tomatoes, but canned tomatoes just don’t compare.
• Toast the noodles: Don’t miss this step! It’s what gives sopa de fideo its characteristic flavor.
• Stir the noodles: When toasting noodles, stir them constantly to avoid burning.
• Strain the sauce: For the smoothest broth, strain the tomato mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into the pot.
• Adjust the broth: If you prefer a more liquid soup, add more broth, and vice versa.
• Simmer over consistent heat: Maintain a steady simmer for even cooking.

💬 FAQ

🍴 More soup recipes

If you enjoyed this sopa de fideo recipe, try out our other popular vegan soup recipes: 

• Fava Bean Soup: A high-protein soup with creamy fava beans, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs and spices.
• Lentil Soup: Made from fresh, simple, and inexpensive ingredients.
• Black Bean Soup: Bold flavors in a recipe that’s high in protein and fiber.
• Chickpea Soup: Showcasing rich, vibrant, and comforting Mediterranean flavors.

Note: We’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.