5 Ingredients or Fewer

Fideo Soup

January  6, 2022
4.5
20 Ratings
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 20 minutes
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

Sopa de fideo (fideo soup) is a Mexican noodle soup, made with vermicelli pasta and cooked in a tomato broth. Fideos refers to the very thin and short noodles commonly used in Mexican cuisine for both soups and pasta salads. Whenever winter comes, this soup has a recurring appearance at my dinner table because it's comforting, tasty, and comes together in a few simple steps. —Cocina Chronicles

Test Kitchen Notes

When you want a warm, comforting bowl of noodle soup, but don't want to make a project of it or use a ton of ingredients, this fideo soup recipe is for you. Easy, quick, and one pot only, all you need is some oil, a package of fideo, store-bought or homemade tomato sauce, chicken or vegetable stock, and a touch of salt. That's it! Friends and family alike will be so pleased by its simplicity yet depth of flavor. The trick that puts the soup over the top is toasting the noodles before incorporating the rest of the ingredients. The resulting, delightfully crunchy texture of the fideo really makes an impression on whomever you serve this dish to.

Of course, a recipe with a short ingredient list is just calling for any kind of add-ins you may like (even if it takes away from its authenticity). Just keep in mind that homemade stock will always result in a better-tasting soup, but store-bought definitely works in a pinch. You could shred some cooked chicken or turkey for a heartier soup. Stir in a bunch of spinach or kale for more texture and a bright pop of color, or use up the basil, parsley, or dill you've got hanging out in your fridge or herb garden. For an extra-special touch, serve with a fried egg on top. A pinch of red pepper flakes provides a touch of heat. This is one of those kinds of recipes that can be adjusted to however you're feeling and whatever you have on hand. —The Editors

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Fideo Soup
Ingredients
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (7-ounce) package of fideo pasta (vermicelli)
  • 1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Directions
  1. In a medium pot over medium heat, warm the oil. Cook the fideos, stirring often, until lightly toasted and golden; some may turn brown.
  2. Remove the from heat and add the tomato sauce. Stir well.
  3. Add the stock and salt and heat over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 7 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

1 Review

Dianne J. October 4, 2023
I wouldn’t say this soup has any “depth of flavor.” Even with the addition of quite a bit of garlic and some lemon juice, it’s pretty one note. Although I thoroughly toasted the noodles it’s hard to taste anything but the tomato. I think there are probably better recipes for this soup.