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Sopa de Fideo is a thin Mexican noodle soup we’ve made our entire life!
Our mom has made us this for as long as we can remember, and now our kids enjoy it too! We love that it’s simple (just 5 ingredients), delicious, and comes together in only 20 minutes.
The noodle used is called fideo, which is similar to angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti. It’s the signature ingredient in this dish and what makes it so hearty and yummy.
This is a favorite inexpensive meal and one we love to whip up on busy nights! For more of our traditional family favorite soups try Albondigas and Caldo de Pollo.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- A dinner classic. This sopa de fideo recipe has become a classic Mexican dinner in our home that the whole family loves. It can also be served as a side dish alongside warm corn tortillas.
- Handful of ingredients. It’s not only delicious but requires only 5 ingredients.
- Inexpensive and filling. And with the noodles being so cost-effective, it’s also a great meal when you’re trying to pinch pennies or use some pantry staples.
Fideo Ingredients and Substitutions
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil – or use olive oil
- 1 (7-ounce) package fideo noodles – or angel hair noodles, thin spaghetti, or vermicelli noodles. Just break the pasta into 1-inch pieces and cook as directed or make “sopa de letres” (alphabet soup) by replacing the fideo with alphabet pasta.
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 24 ounces chicken broth – or vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup
- ½-1 cup Mexican cheese blend – or Cotija cheese, queso fresco
- garlic salt with parsley flakes – season to taste
- black pepper – season to taste
- optional toppings– chopped avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, extra cheese, Mexican crema, chopped onion, or fresh cilantro
How to Make Fideo
- PASTA. Add vegetable oil to a medium pot and cook on LOW-MEDIUM heat.
- Add fideo and cook until noodles are coated in oil and have started to turn golden brown.
- SOUP. Add tomato sauce and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to LOW and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until noodles are soft.
- SERVE. Add ½-1 cup cheese, garlic salt, and pepper and stir until combined. Serve warm. Top with chopped avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, a sprinkle of queso fresco, and fresh cilantro if desired.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip toasting the noodles – it adds a rich flavor and a slightly crunchy texture that helps them from becoming too soft in the soup.
- If you can’t find fideo noodles, break angel hair noodles, thin spaghetti, or vermicelli noodles into 1-inch pieces and toast.
Sopa de Fideo
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 (7-ounce) bag fideo pasta
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 24 ounces chicken broth, low sodium
- ½-1 cup Mexican cheese, shredded
- garlic salt, with parsley flakes
- pepper
Instructions
- Add 3 tablespoons oil to a medium pot and cook on LOW-MEDIUM heat. Add 1 (7-ounce) fideo and cook until noodles are coated in oil and have started to brown.
- Add tomato sauce and broth and bring to a boil. Then reduce to LOW and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until noodles are soft.
- Add ½-1 cup cheese, garlic salt, and pepper and stir until combined. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Add shredded chicken for a heartier fideo soup. Add veggies like peas, zucchini, and carrots.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze for 3-4 months. Keep in mind that the texture of the noodles will change, but the soup will still be delicious.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Mexican Cornbread
50 mins
Jalapeño Cornbread
30 mins
Flour Tortilla Recipe
45 mins
Homemade Tortilla Chips
30 mins
Desserts
Mexican Soups
Chicken Tortilla Soup
3 hrs 10 mins
Albondigas Soup
55 mins
Caldo de Pollo
1 hr 10 mins
Mexican Chicken Corn Soup
25 mins
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This recipe was originally published March 2020.
One of our favorites to eat on a cold day! Make this all the time!
I was really hoping this recipe was going to be really good, but in my opinion it was just meh.🫤
If I ever make it again, I’d only use a half a bag of the pasta, and would definitely put some meat in it. It’s just too plain for me.
Step 2 and 3 say to add 2 cans of tomato sauce, did you mean only 2 cans or 4?
That is an error on our part. It looks like step 2 and 3 are the exact same instructions. So just do step 2, ignore step 3 (since you will have already done it) and then continue with the recipe. It will only be 2 cans. We’ll get that recipe card updated. Thanks!
I’ve made this recipe so many times and it’s one of our favorites! Reminds me of my Grandma’s recipe and it brings me comfort! Thank you for sharing 😊
One of my favorite Mexican recipes! Fideo is so versatile and delicious, and this recipe was so much easier than the one my former partner’s mother taught me years ago! Looks like this is on the menu for Cinco de Mayo!
For those questioning what kind of cheese to add try a little crumbled cotija. I made this recipe and reminded me of my Abuelita’s fideo she used to make for me. There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t have some waiting on the stove. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!! That sounds like a wonderful addition to add the cheese on top.
Thank you, I like your recipe.
Simply delish. I used Nutritional yeast instead of cheese…. so yummy!!
Good recipe, although my family has never put cheese in their sopa de fideo. It’s a nice option, but I’ll leave it out.
What is fMexican cheese?
At the grocery store, there is a Mexican cheese blend in the shredded/bagged cheeses. It typically includes monterey jack, cheddar, queso quesadilla and asadero cheeses.
Thank you
I love it! I have these ingredients on hand ALL the time so it was an easy fix!!! It is so yummy and simple! We did use mozzarella cheese instead of Mexican… but we’ll try that next time!
Way thicker than I’ve ever had fideo before but I like it. It’s filling enough to be dinner vs just an appetizer. The taste is on point too, especially with the addition of some shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Absolutely Delicious. The soup can easily be thinned out to desired consistency by adding either water or more chicken broth. I’d suggest doing so after noodles have cooled though. This way they won’t absorb too much of the additional liquid. And of course doing so will mean needing to adjust your seasonings to taste. Also as an optional brightening agent, don’t forget the acid via a lime or two! I’ll definitely be making this again!
Thanks for the feedback! So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
I have the same brand you show for your fideo, but it says Vermacelli instead? Is this the same but called differently? I’m not sure, but I fried them and just waiting to add to my rice-cooker soup base.
Delicious! Made it 2 times in the past 3 days. The first time I made it as written and it was pretty thick (but still yummy). Today I added 32 oz of chicken broth instead of 24, and it was definitely soupier than the first time which I really liked. My fiancé and I mixed in some sour cream, and it was perfection. Thanks for sharing this simple, but awesome recipe! 🙂
I’m really confused, was this recipe recently changed? I’ve been following this recipe for a while now and I could’ve sworn it was only 1 can of tomato sauce and only 12oz of chicken broth.
Now I see 2 cans of tomato sauce and 24oz of broth. Someone tell me I’m not losing my mind lol
We did update the recipe not long ago. We’re constantly retesting and keeping our recipes up to date! 🙂
Just made this, served it with Frenches fried onions sprinkle on top for my husband. He really enjoyed it, I found it a bit rich, but loved the texture. Next time I’ll serve it with a simple salad to break up the richness. I followed above tip and used a skillet, also heated up the broth a little before adding. Loved the texture. Thank you
French fried onions? I never would’ve thought of that! Yes a salad would be great on the side! I’m definitely going to try both next time!!!
LOL this is NOT “sopa de fideo”.
Yummy quick comfort food. Made this for my 15 year old home sick with jalapeño tomato sauce. She calls it Mexican Ramen. Yummy 😋
Hi Krysten. What type of Mexican cheese do you recommend with this recipe? And do you have a preferred brand of fideo? I’m fortunate to live near a Hispanic grocery store that has a wide selection of both.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I use this recipe all the time. Thank you!
This recipe is truly amazing. I tried it and it turned out very nice.
Best childhood memories. I would not eat liver, my dad loved it w.anted once a week. He would send me to my room, explaining” this is not a restaurant. Later, my mom would bring me a large bowl of fideo. I can still make a meal of just that and tortillas. And I stoll hate liver
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m so glad this recipe brings back good childhood memories. Definitely not a liver fan either! 🙂
I like to use el pato sauce, diced potatoes, pinto beans, and corn to mine. (bigger family, they eat like 2 bowls each. lol)
Thanks for sharing what you do! Sounds delicious!
Sounds so delicious! I’m definitely trying it this way too! Mmmmmm mmmmm
I was so disappointed. The quantity was very low, box nearly empty. Quality was bad. Looked like long rice. Terrible! Just Terrible! My mother had the same experience. Growing up, I remember my mother making delicious Fideo. Well, I guess we won’t buy it any more. So sad everything is getting more expensive and quality and quantity are going down hill.
I’m sorry to hear that the recipe wasn’t a hit. Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
No bueno. Mine came out gummy. I followed the directions to a T! Flavor was there though.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
Heat up the water before you add it to the fideo and try using a skillet instead of a pot.
I also add cumin and garlic powder. So delicious
Excellent fideo and closest to my mexican grandmothers recipe. She added chopped onion while browning the fideo. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
My great-grandmother (from Mexico) also added diced onion to the browning fideo. So we all do as well. We usually eat this thicker as a side dish, but I’m going to try it more as a sopa!
Love your site, gives great recipes that are easy to prepare. You also have recipes I couldn’t find d on other sites. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome!! So glad you found us here and enjoy the site/recipes!
My kids favorite growing up! My 23 year old daughter just asked me for my recipe last night. We would sometimes add a small bag of mixed vegetables when adding pasta. I’m making it tonight for my husband and me!
Oh that is wonderful! So glad you love the recipe. I love the idea of adding mixed veggies too.
This sounds wonderful I can’t wait to make it. Thank you so much for sharing really great recipes.
You’re welcome! Thanks for your kind words. I hope you enjoy the recipe!!
Have a salvadoran son in law. My daughter and I want to find more recipes agreeable to both tastes. sounds Wonderful!
Hopefully this is one that will be a hit for all!
I picked this recipe because it’s the most similar to the Fideo my grandmother made. I made a few modifications based on how I remember it, but it was SOO good. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you liked the recipe.:)
I “jumped to recipe” so, sorry if I missed this in the article but… Did you mention how much garlic salt and pepper? (Boy new to cooking here)
The garlic salt and pepper amounts are “to taste” for this recipe. Everyone has their own salt and pepper preferences but usually I’ll sprinkle a little garlic salt and pepper in the soup and taste it to see if I feel it needs a little more. Hopefully this helps!
This was quick and easy. I didn’t have any tomato sauce/past on hand, so I diced up some fresh tomatoes, sautéed them with some garlic, mashed them, and added them to the fideo as suggested in the recipe. It was awesome!!!
Great options! Thank you for sharing that!
This was very easy to make. I added Sofrito (I got the bottle from a store in Spain), added hamburger, some mini pepperonis, Mexican, and we really enjoyed it as part of our niche Buena celebration.
Sorry should have said mexi-corn.
Perfect! I am glad you shared that! Thank you!
One of my favorite Hispanic families makes & noodle dish that I cannot for the life of me recreate but this recipe comes so close to it that it cures my cravings!
Awesome comfort food for the cold months.!
Yes!! Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
This recipe is fantastic. I’ve made it with fideo and I’ve also made it using whole wheat thin spaghetti. They were both big hits with my husband and 2-year-old. I also put a little canned chicken in it. It wasn’t very soupy, but that’s a good thing with a toddler.
I’ll have to try adding chicken! Thanks for letting me know!
Just made this, added green onions and red pepper flakes for some heat, it was delicious!
Great idea! I like a little heat! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Made This tonight and it was Delicious. My first tIme having fIdeo and will DEFINITELY make again. I hAve a Question, you reFer to it as a soup but it seemed mOre like a pasta Dish. Are there DIFFERENT wAys of serving? It was so yummy, Thanks!
I am so glad you tried it & liked it!! Thank you! That’s just what it is called, but yes, it more pasta 🙂
Really liked this recipe! I added onions and garlic right before the nooodles turned brown. I also added caldo de tomate instead of salt. I liked the cheese in it but it was really good without, will probably leave out next time to make it healthier. I Will definitely make again and save to my recipes!
So happy you liked it! Thanks for sharing what you did.
I grew up on this stuff. Every inexpensive, quick and so cheesy and yummy! The grandkids love this recipe.
Similar to your spanish rice recipe i never thought to fry rice or pasta before cooking it.
Really easy recipe. I usually have angel hair pasta on hand, but ill have to try it with the suggested fideo noodles.
YOU HAVE THE BEST MEXICAN RECIPES. WE LOVE THIS SOUP.
My kids loved this! We will DEFINITELY be making again soon.
Delicious and so easy! Thank you!
this is so easy! And i have all these ingredients in my pantry right now, even during this corona quarantine. (minus the pasta but i love that i can just break up regular spaghetti pasta).
Mt family makes this all the time!! It is the cheapest, easiest, & tasty meal ever!! We love it!
Have a salvadoran son in law. My daughter and I want to find more recipes agreeable to both tastes. sounds Wonderful!
Never had this sopa de fideo before but this recipe sounds delicious. gonna give it a try for sure 🙂
It is so easy & delicious!! I hope you do!