Sopa de Fideo with Ground Beef and Potatoes
Introduction
Sopa de Fideo with Ground Beef and Potatoes is the ultimate Mexican comfort food — hearty, flavorful, and perfect for the whole family. This delicious one-pot meal combines lightly toasted fideo noodles with juicy ground beef, tender potatoes, and a smoky homemade tomato-chipotle sauce. The result is a rich and savory soup that brings warmth to your kitchen any day of the week. Whether you grew up enjoying this classic dish or are discovering it for the first time, this recipe will become a weeknight favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🌶️ Authentic Mexican flavor – made with guajillo and chipotle peppers for a deep, smoky taste.
🍲 Comfort in a bowl – the combination of beef, noodles, and potatoes makes it satisfying and filling.
🕒 Quick and easy – ready in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly – mild enough for kids but flavorful for adults.
🥣 Perfect for leftovers – reheats beautifully for next-day lunches.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
4 Roma tomatoes
¼ onion
2 garlic cloves
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
3 guajillo peppers, boiled and seeded
1 tablespoon beef bouillon
2 teaspoons tomato bouillon
½ teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups water
For the Fideo:
1 pound lean ground beef (97/3 preferred)
Salt, to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder
2 medium potatoes, diced small
3 roasted, peeled, and chopped Hatch or Anaheim peppers
7 ounces fideo (thin Mexican vermicelli noodles)
Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Sauce
In a blender, combine Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, boiled guajillo peppers, beef bouillon, tomato bouillon, cumin, and 2 cups of water.
Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and season with salt, black pepper, and chili powder.
Break up the meat and cook for about 5 minutes, or until fully browned.
Remove the beef from the pan and drain excess grease.
- Toast the Fideo and Potatoes
In the same pan, add a bit of oil and heat over medium-high.
Add the diced potatoes and fideo noodles.
Fry for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the noodles are golden brown and the potatoes begin to soften.
Season with a pinch of salt while frying.
- Combine Ingredients
Add the chopped onion and roasted Hatch (or Anaheim) peppers. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Return the browned beef to the pan.
Pour in the blended sauce and mix well.
Add about 1 cup of water (or more if you prefer a brothier soup). Stir to combine.
- Simmer and Finish
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt if needed.
Add chopped cilantro.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the fideo is soft.
- Serve and Enjoy
Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro or a squeeze of lime. Pair it with warm tortillas or crusty bread for the perfect cozy meal!
Expert Tips & Variations
Make it spicier: Add an extra chipotle pepper or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Milder version: Use only one chipotle pepper and skip the guajillos.
Vegetable boost: Add peas, corn, or diced zucchini for extra color and flavor.
Different noodles: If you can’t find fideo, use broken thin spaghetti.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days — it tastes even better the next day!
Important Notes
Be sure to fry the fideo until lightly golden before adding the sauce. This step gives the soup its signature toasted flavor.
Don’t overcook the noodles — they continue to absorb liquid as the soup cools.
If your sauce thickens too much, add more water or broth to loosen it.
Nutritional Information
(Approximate per serving — makes 6 servings)
Calories: 320
Protein: 22g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 4g
Sodium: 820mg
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What can I serve with this dish?
Warm flour tortillas, Mexican rice, or a light salad make great sides for this comforting soup.
What is fideo?
Fideo is a thin Mexican noodle similar to vermicelli. It’s often toasted before being simmered in sauces or soups for extra flavor.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the ground beef and use vegetable bouillon instead of beef bouillon. Add more vegetables like zucchini or corn.
How spicy is this dish?
It’s mildly spicy thanks to the chipotle and guajillo peppers. You can easily adjust the heat by using fewer peppers.
Can I freeze Sopa de Fideo?
Yes, but the noodles can soften too much when reheated. For best texture, freeze only the sauce and beef mixture, then add fresh fideo when ready to serve.