Sopa de Fideo Chili

Tammy
Apr 11
5 min read

Updated: Aug 11

The CWT way! - Inspired by Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)

-original base and CWT recipes included

"A warm comforting soup made with a tangy tomato base and golden brown noodles. It is so popular with moms because it is very easy to make, budget-friendly and kids love it because what kid doesn’t like noodles?"

Fideo soup is pure comfort in a bowl and a warm hug from childhood! 🧡🍜

If you grew up in a Mexican household, chances are this cozy classic brings back all the feels—the smell of golden toasted noodles, the tangy tomato broth bubbling away, and your mamá or abuelita stirring the pot with love. 😍

It's a favorite for a reason—super easy to make, totally budget-friendly, and seriously, what kid doesn’t get excited about noodles?! 🍅🧄🍝 A warm bowl of fideo served up with a beef soft taco or a bean and cheese taco (another kid-friendly food staple I might add) is a combination that ranks right up there with the likes of the American tomato soup and a grilled cheese, Italian Pastina and crusty bread or southern cornbread and chili! In my opinion, this is cheap comfort food gold.

Every mom makes it a little differently—there’s no one right way to fideo, and that’s what makes it special! 💫 The heart of it? A flavorful blend of tomatoes, onion, garlic, and broth poured over thin noodles that have been sautéed to a golden perfection. Add more broth, simmer until tender, and voilà—pure magic. ✨

Fun fact: Fideo is often called a “dry soup” (yes, that’s a thing!). Once it sits, the pasta slurps up all that yummy broth and becomes thicker. So if you're a fan of a brothier bowl, just add a little extra liquid love. 💧💕

Now… if you really know me, you know I just had to put a little spin on it 😏🎉

Enter: Refrigerator Fideo Soup! 🥄💡 Think of it as the delicious love child of classic fideo and “whatever-you’ve-got-leftover” magic. Growing up, my mom would toss in whatever was in the fridge, and every pot was a little different—but always SO good. And yep, I still do it to this day (just smaller pots now 😂).

This time? I had some leftover chili from a weeknight dinner, a bag of fideo, and all the basics ready to go. Tossed it all in a pot and BAM—new favorite comfort meal unlocked. 🥰🔥

Give it a try and make it your own! Send me a chat message below if you do—I’d love to see your creations! 🍲❤️

Sopa de Fideo

-Original Version

Servings – 4 Prep Time – 15

Cook Time – 15

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons vegetable 0r olive oil
1 7oz bag fideo pasta
1 12oz can of tomato sauce
2-1/2 cups chicken broth or water with call for amount of chicken-flavored bouillon, low sodium
1/2 - 1 cup Mexican cheese, shredded
1/4 of a medium onion, coarsely chopped
1-2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Optional Toppings/Sides

Cilantro
Sour cream
Banana slices
Tortilla with mayo
Queso fresco or cotija cheese
Salsa
Tortilla chips

Directions:

Add 2 tablespoons oil to a medium pot and cook on LOW-MEDIUM heat. Add in chopped onion and cook until translucent and soft.

Add in 1 tablespoon of oil to the onion mix; stir in fideo and cook until noodles are coated in oil and have started to lightly brown.

Add garlic, chili, and onion powder, paprika, cumin, and pepper. Stir until combined.

Pour in tomato sauce and broth and bring to a boil. Then reduce to LOW and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until noodles are soft.

Simmer for 5 minutes and serve warm.

Garnish individual servings as desired and enjoy!

Notes:

Noodle substitute:

If you can’t find Fideo noodles, break angel hair noodles, thin spaghetti, or vermicelli noodles into 1-inch pieces and toast.

Storing:

Leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze for 3-4 months.

Can I add meat or veggies to the soup?

Add shredded chicken or browned ground beef or turkey for a heartier fideo soup.
Add veggies like peas, corn, zucchini, and carrots or a can of diced or crushed tomatoes.

Want to add more flavor?

Infuse extra flavor by sautéing chopped fresh garlic in the oil before adding the fideo.
Make this Sopa de Fideo recipe a richer flavor by pureeing roasted tomatoes instead of tomato sauce.
Spice it up with jalapeno or add in a little hot sauce.

*The sauce/broth will continue to absorb into the noodles as the pan sits, since it’s known as a dry-soup. Add 1-2 more cups of broth or water to offset the absorption process, if you prefer to keep more liquid in the soup.

Sopa de Fideo Chili

-The CWT Way!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons vegetable 0r olive oil
1 7oz bag fideo pasta
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 8 or 10oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 cup beef broth, low sodium
1 cup Mexican cheese, shredded
2 cups left over chili, try my MF's Chili recipe
1-2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Cilantro, optional garnish
Sour cream, optional garnish
Extra shredded cheese, optional garnish
Tortilla chips, optional side

Directions:

Add 3 tablespoons oil to a medium pot and cook on LOW-MEDIUM heat. Stir in fideo and cook until noodles are coated in oil and have started to lightly brown.

Pour in tomato sauce, broth and crushed tomatoes; mix well. Add garlic, chili, and onion powder, paprika, cumin, and pepper; stir until combined. Then reduce to LOW and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until noodles are soft.

Simmer for 5 minutes and serve warm.

Garnish individual servings with shredded cheese, sour cream and cilantro if desired and enjoy!

Notes:

Storing: leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days

Nutrition:

-Based on original version only

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