Name: Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons avocado oil ((or preferred oil)); 8 ounces dry fideo (cut spaghetti) ((sub with thin spaghetti and break into 1-inch pieces)); 7 1/2 cups vegetable broth; 1 1/4 cups tomato purée ((strained tomatoes)); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and pepper (, to taste); 1 bay leaf ((*optional)); Vegan sour cream; Fresh-cut cilantro; Fresh lime juice

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Sopa de Fideo - a savory Mexican Noodle Soup made with toasted noodles and a flavorful tomato-based broth. It's easy to make, requires simple ingredients and it's budget-friendly, too! The whole family will love this hearty and comforting meal!

Two bowls of sopa de fideo topped with fresh cilantro. Lime, spoons and a napkin on the side.

Sopa de Fideo is one of the most requested recipes in our home, and it's also one of the easiest recipes to make, so that makes everything better! It literally takes 25 minutes from start to finish and it calls for just 7 ingredients. They are pantry staples, so I can make this savory goodness without taking a trip to the supermarket.

I have a lot of soup recipes on the site because we are major soupaholics and enjoy it all year round. This Fideo Soup is perfect at any time of year, but it's especially great for chilly days or sick days when you need extra comfort.

I was first introduced to this Mexican Noodle Soup when I was pregnant with my son. I was having a hard time with food and nothing was appetizing. This was strange to me because I'm a total foodie.

Well, Nick made his nina's Sopa de Fideo recipe for me one night and I was instantly in love! I craved it most of my pregnancy after that, so maybe that's why my son loves it so much, too!

Ingredients for the recipe on a stone table top.

Table of Contents

Ingredients needed to make Sopa de Fideo

️🌟 This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. For the complete ingredient amounts and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card below.

Fideo (cut spaghetti)
Oil
Vegetable Broth
Tomato Purée
Dried Oregano
Salt and Pepper
Bay Leaf (optional)

That's it! The ingredients are short and simple!

How to make Sopa de Fideo

Stirring fideo noodles in a large pot with a wooden spatula.

First, you'll need to brown the fideos in oil over medium heat until golden brown for about 5-6 minutes. This creates lots of deep flavor in the soup! If you cant find fideo, you can use thin spaghetti, vermicelli, or angel hair. Just break it into 1-inch pieces before cooking.

Browned fideo noodles in a large soup pot.

Once the pasta is golden, add the oregano and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Now add the broth, tomato puree, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Raise heat to high to bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to maintain a simmer.

Cook until noodles are tender, but they still have some bite for about 15-18 minutes. Stir often. Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. If you want more tomato flavor, stir in a ¼ cup tomato purée and simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Stirring a fully cooked pot of sopa de fideo with a wooden spoon.

Tips

I highly recommend using a flavorful broth for this recipe. I really like Better Than Bouillon's Vegetable Base or their no-chicken base. They also carry a Reduced-Sodium Vegetable Base that I love too.
The simmering time may vary depending on which pasta you choose. Check every so often for preferred tenderness. The pasta will continue to cook after it's removed from heat, so don't overcook it.
If you don't have tomato purée, you can use tomato sauce in its place. You can also use canned diced tomatoes and blend them into a smooth consistency

Flavor Amp-Up Ideas

This Sopa de Fideo doesn't need anything extra as long as your noodles are toasted well and the broth is flavorful. However, if you'd like to amp it up, you can add a sprinkle of ground cumin, smoked paprika, red chili pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap out the fideo for your favorite gluten-free brand. I've made this with Jovial Gluten-Free Spaghetti and it turned out great! The noodles aren't as thin as traditional noodles, but I like them because they don't fall apart in the soup. Also, the pasta tends to swell after it sits too long, so it's not so great for leftovers. However, it's so good that you won't have any left to save.

If you want a tomato-based soup that's noodle-free, you might like this Smoky Tomato White Beans Soup. It's just as hearty and comforting!

Can I make it oil-free?

Absolutely! You can dry-toast the noodles instead of browning them in oil. The noodles won't brown the same as they do with oil, but they will still have a toasted flavor. Heat a large pan over medium-low heat and cook the noodles for about 5-8 minutes until golden. Stir often to prevent burning.

Serving Suggestions

Sopa de Fideo is fantastic on its own with a squeeze of fresh lime, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of vegan sour cream. However, you can also serve it with crusty bread, sliced avocado, warm tortillas, or a salad. This fideo soup is great for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a savory breakfast. You can't go wrong!

Two bowls of sopa de fideo on a stone table top. Lime and cilantro on the side.

More comforting soup recipes to enjoy:

If you want a variety of comfort food, here are 16 Indulgent Vegan Comfort Food Recipes to choose from. They are totally drool-worthy!

Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would really make my day!

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Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)