🍲 Vegan Mexican Noodle Soup (Sopa de Fideo)
🕒 Ready in: 20 minutes
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 15 min
Servings: 4
🛒 Ingredients
For the Soup Base:
- 2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
- 7 oz (about 200g) fideo noodles (or broken thin spaghetti/vermicelli)
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned diced tomatoes (or 1 large tomato, blended)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional for depth)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, black beans, or lentils
- 1/2 cup diced zucchini or carrots (very thinly sliced to cook quickly)
- 1/4 cup frozen corn or peas
For Garnish (optional but delicious):
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Diced avocado
- Sliced jalapeño or hot sauce
- Vegan sour cream or crema
🍳 Instructions
1. Toast the Noodles
- In a large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
- Add the fideo noodles and toast, stirring often, until golden brown (about 3–5 minutes).
- Be careful not to burn them — you want a deep golden color.
2. Add Aromatics
- Add chopped onion and cook for 1–2 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add Tomatoes and Broth
- Stir in the blended or diced tomatoes and cook for 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, stir well, and bring to a gentle boil.
4. Simmer
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
- If using beans or quick-cooking veggies (like corn or zucchini), add them now to warm through.
5. Taste and Season
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: Add a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.
6. Serve
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes: avocado, cilantro, lime, or hot sauce.
🍽️ Quick Tips
- No fideo? Just break spaghetti or thin vermicelli into 1-inch pieces.
- Want it spicier? Add 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce when blending the tomato or stir in chili flakes.
- For creamy texture, blend half the soup and mix it back in.
