Description
This cozy and flavorful Mexican Noodle Soup is a comforting classic that comes together quickly with pantry staples. Toasted noodles simmered in a tomato-rich broth with aromatic spices and a squeeze of lime make for a simple, soul-warming bowl that’s perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
To make this soup, you’ll need olive oil, a small finely chopped onion, minced garlic cloves, fideo noodles (or broken thin spaghetti), ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder for optional heat. You’ll also need a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, vegetable or chicken broth, sea salt, black pepper, fresh lime juice, and toppings like chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, or radish.
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the fideo noodles and toast them, stirring constantly, until they’re golden brown and fragrant — this takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
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Stir in the chopped onion and garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the aromatics are soft and translucent.
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Add the cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder (if using). Stir well for 30 seconds to bloom the spices and release their aroma.
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Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the broth. Stir to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
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Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the noodles are tender and the broth is flavorful.
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Stir in the fresh lime juice and taste the soup. Adjust the salt and seasoning as needed.
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Ladle the soup into bowls and top with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, or thinly sliced radishes if desired.
Notes
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Fideo noodles can be found in the Mexican aisle of many grocery stores, but thin spaghetti broken into small pieces works great too.
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For a richer broth, use chicken stock or add a spoonful of tomato paste along with the tomatoes.
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This soup is very forgiving — add cooked chicken or black beans for extra protein.
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Make it spicy with jalapeño slices or hot sauce stirred in just before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican