The Best Fideo Soup Recipe

Introduction

Fideo soup is a simple yet satisfying dish with heartwarming origins. Popular in both Mexican and Spanish cuisines, this noodle soup offers a comforting and flavorful experience. This recipe provides a versatile base, allowing you to customize it with your favorite ingredients and personal touch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This fideo soup recipe is destined to become a family favorite for many reasons:

• Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
• Versatile: Easily customizable to suit your dietary needs and taste preferences.
• Kid-friendly: A comforting and familiar flavor that even picky eaters will love.
• Budget-friendly: A filling and delicious meal that won’t break the bank.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create a comforting bowl of fideo soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 ½ cups Spanish fideos
• 6 ounces spaghetti, broken into 1-2” pieces
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Notes and Substitutions

• Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta for a dietary-friendly version.
• Vegetarian: Be sure to use vegetable broth and omit the chicken for a delicious vegetarian fideo soup.
• Spice Level: Adjust the smoked paprika to control the level of spice in the dish.

Equipment

To make this simple fideo soup, you’ll need:

• 6-quart pot.
• Frying pan.
• Cutting board.
• Knife.
• Measuring spoons.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a flavorful soup:

Spanish Fideos:

1. Toast the Pasta: In a frying pan, heat 1/3 cup of olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Fry: When the oil is hot, add the spaghetti and fry until golden brown.
3. Remove: Remove the pasta with a slotted spoon onto a plate lined with a paper towel to drain excess oil.
4. Set Aside: Set aside the toasted fideos until needed for the soup.

Soup:

1. Sauté Aromatics: In a 6-quart pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the carrots are just tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
2. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the chickpeas, cooked chicken (if using), thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Add Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth (or chicken broth) and bring the mixture to a simmer.

According to Healthline, broth based soups offer nutritional benefits and can contribute to hydration.

4. Simmer and Cook Pasta: Stir in the prepared Spanish fideos and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook on low for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the pasta to soften.
5. Adjust and Serve: Taste the fideo soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm.

Pro Tips for the Best Fideo Soup

Here are some tips to elevate your soup to the next level:

• Toast evenly: Ensure even browning of the pasta when toasting for a consistent flavor.
• Don’t overcook: Keep a close eye on the pasta to prevent a mushy texture.
• Customize: Add your personal touch with extra veggies, proteins, and toppings.
• Spice Control: Add the smoked paprika gradually, tasting as you go to reach your desired level of heat.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

• Serve: Ladle the fideo soup into bowls and serve warm.
• Store: Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze cooled soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months for a longer shelf life.
• Reheat: Gently reheat the fideo soup on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.

Variations

• Add Protein: Stir in shredded chicken, cooked beans, or tofu.
• Veggie Boost: Incorporate corn, zucchini, or spinach for added nutrients and color.
• Flavor Enhancer: Add a bay leaf or a splash of apple cider vinegar during cooking.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an estimate of the nutritional information per serving:

Note: Nutritional information is approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make fideo soup ahead of time? Yes, this soup is a great meal prep option. The flavors meld together even more overnight.
• How do I prevent the noodles from becoming mushy? Avoid overcooking the pasta by checking for doneness frequently during the last few minutes of cooking.
• What are the best toppings for fideo soup? Consider adding a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of cheese, or a squeeze of lime.
• Is this soup spicy? This recipe has a mild savory flavor. You can adjust the amount of smoked paprika to suit your preferences.
• Can I use other types of noodles? Yes, feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Conclusion

This fideo soup recipe offers a simple, quick, and deeply comforting meal perfect for any occasion. Its versatility invites you to get creative in the kitchen and tailor it to your personal tastes. Now it’s your turn to make this recipe your own, rate it, leave a comment, and share the joy of cooking a delicious fideo soup with friends and family!

Spanish Chickpea and Fideos Soup

A hearty and flavorful Spanish soup featuring tender chickpeas, shredded chicken (optional), and delicate fideos pasta, all simmered in a rich vegetable or chicken broth with aromatic herbs and smoked paprika.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 people

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Frying pan
• Slotted spoon
• Plate
• 6-quart pot

Ingredients

  

Main Soup Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 carrots finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas
• 2 cups cooked chicken shredded (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves chopped
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

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For the Spanish Fideos

• 6 ounces spaghetti broken into 1-2” pieces
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

 

Spanish Fideos

• Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the spaghetti to the hot oil and fry until it turns golden brown.
• Remove the fried spaghetti with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate and set aside for later use.

Soup Preparation

• In a 6-quart pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot, cooking for about 10 minutes until the carrots are just tender while stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
• Add the chickpeas, cooked chicken (if using), thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot.
• Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Stir in the prepared fideos, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes.
• Taste the soup for seasoning, adding more salt if needed, and serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth. Always adjust salt to taste before serving.

Keyword fideo soup, fideo soup recipe, Mexican noodle soup