Description
Fideo Mexican Noodle Soup is a comforting and flavorful traditional Mexican dish featuring toasted vermicelli noodles simmered in a savory tomato and chicken broth base with aromatic spices and fresh cilantro. It’s quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a satisfying meal served with fresh lime and optional toppings like avocado, jalapeños, and queso fresco.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 7 ounces fideo pasta (or vermicelli noodles)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
For Serving
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Optional toppings: avocado slices, diced jalapeños, crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
- Toast the Pasta: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the fideo pasta and stir constantly until it turns a golden brown, making sure not to burn it. Toasting the noodles adds a delicious nutty flavor to the soup.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the toasted noodles. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, enhancing the flavor base.
- Cook Tomato: Stir in the chopped tomato and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the tomato starts to break down and meld with the other ingredients.
- Add Broth and Spices: Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth and add 1 teaspoon ground cumin. Stir everything together to combine the flavors well.
- Simmer the Soup: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and cooked through.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
- Finish with Cilantro: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing and optional toppings such as avocado slices, diced jalapeños, or crumbled queso fresco for added texture and taste.
Notes
- Toast the noodles carefully over medium heat to prevent burning and to achieve an even golden color.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian, but it will alter the flavor.
- Adjust the level of jalapeños or omit for a milder soup.
- Fideo pasta can usually be found in Latin or international grocery stores; vermicelli noodles are a common substitute.
- Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
