Gluten-Free Sopa de Fideo

This Gluten-Free Sopa de Fideo recipe is just like the traditional Mexican noodle soup you grew up with! Made with toasted gluten-free noodles and a flavorful tangy tomato broth, this quick and easy soup is naturally vegan and allergy-free! An authentic, simple, and comforting meal everyone in the family can enjoy!

The cozy childhood classic your mom used to make when you felt under the weather, now with a delicious gluten-free version you can enjoy once again! This traditional Mexican noodle soup is similar to a comforting chicken noodle soup or tomato soup here in the United States. Made with just 7 simple ingredients, every family has their own twists on the recipe so you can feel free to jazz it up and make it just like you remember from growing up!

What Is Sopa de Fideo?

In English, "Sopa de Fideo" means "soup and noodles". This Spanish or Mexican noodle soup is a traditional stock-based soup made with toasted thin fideo noodles. The stock or broth is typically flavored with a tomato-based sauce that includes simple seasonings like onion, garlic, cumin, and some sort of chili pepper for spice. It's a simple budget-friendly soup that's great for kids, served as a light meal on a chilly day, or enjoyed when you're feeling sick.

What Are Fideo Noodles?

Fideo are round thin spaghetti-like noodles that are cut short into bite-sized pieces. Similar to angel hair or vermicelli, but cut into 1-inch pieces. You'll find them in the Mexican or Spanish section of your grocery store as fideo or in the pasta aisle labeled as "cut spaghetti". However, there is no gluten-free fideo on the market, so the next best option is to buy gluten-free thin spaghetti and break the noodles yourself into bite-sized pieces.

Why You'll Love This Healthy Recipe

By using gluten-free noodles and vegetable broth instead of chicken stock in this recipe, you get to enjoy the classic vegan and free-from-wheat! It has all the same comforting flavors and aromatics to warm you up from the inside out. Customize this soup to fit your tastebuds and preferences with more spices, veggies, or added protein if you'd like! This homemade sopa de fideo is:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Fish-Free, Shellfish-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Healthy & Sugar-Free
• Kid-Friendly
• Quick & Easy, 7 Ingredient Recipe
• Simple, Budget-Friendly, & Customizable
• 15-Minute Light Lunch or Dinner

Ingredients For Gluten-Free Sopa de Fideo

 

• Gluten-Free Thin Spaghetti: Luckily for us celiac, Ronzoni makes gluten-free thin spaghetti you can find...anywhere! One of my favorite brands of gluten-free noodles with a "real" pasta taste and no mushiness! You can use normal gluten-free spaghetti or a small bite-sized pasta if you need to (work smarter, not harder).
• Vegetable Broth: Vegetable stock, broth, whatever you have, is the base of the soup that you'll be flavoring further with the tomato and aromatics. I like to use a low-sodium broth so you don't have to add any extra salt yourself, but that's up to you!
• Diced Tomatoes: You can use a can of undrained diced tomatoes (try fire-roasted for extra deep, smokey flavor) or about 2 cups of fresh diced Roma tomatoes if in season.
• White Onion: White onion will give you the best flavor for this soup since it's strong enough to flavor the broth while not being directly added to the final soup. Yellow Spanish onion is your next best choice.
• Garlic: You can use 2 cloves of fresh garlic or a teaspoon of pre-minced (feel free to add more to your liking!).
• Cumin: Cumin adds a smoky, nutty, deep flavor to this soup. Savory and earthy, it's a must!
• Oil: A simple olive oil or neutral flavored oil if used to lightly toast the gluten-free fideo!

Ingredient Variations & Recipe Add-Ins

• Jalapeño: You can blend jalapeno right into the tomato base or use it as a garnish (like I did)! It all depends on the level of spiciness you want or if you need to keep it milder for kids! You can use chili powder or chipotle peppers as well. A dash of hot sauce, to serve, is always a winner too!
• Lime: A fresh squirt of lime juice to each bowl before serving adds just the right amount of zestiness and brightness up the soup.
• Cilantro: If you're a cilantro fan like me, it's the perfect garnish and fresh herb to add to your Mexican noodle soup! Dried Mexican oregano would also be a fantastic addition
• More Veggies: Feel free to add more veggies to the tomato sauce! Things like bell pepper, Mexican zucchini, peas, carrots, corn, celery, etc.
• Protein: Add some pinto beans or black beans to the soup for extra fiber and plant-based protein to make the soup more filling (like pasta e fagioli). If you're not vegan, you can added some grilled chicken or shredded chicken!
• Cheesiness: Never say no to nutritional yeast for that umami cheese flavor every vegan loves! You can even add some vegan cheddar shreds or a Mexican blend to the top of each bowl of soup before serving.

How To Make Sopa de Fideo

1. Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, seasonings, and any additional veggies to a blender or food processor along with 1 cup of the veggie broth.
2. Blend the mixture until you have a smooth tomato sauce, season to taste, and set aside.

3. Heat the oil in a soup pot before adding the broken gluten-free thin spaghetti noodles. Toast the noodles in the oil until golden brown and fragrant.
4. Strain the tomato sauce over the toasted noodles in the soup pot using a sieve or fine mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon or clean hands to squeeze out all the juices and liquid, leaving only the veggie pulp behind.

5. Mix the tomato sauce and gluten-free fideo together and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the rest of the vegetable broth to the soup pot and bring the soup to a boil before reducing the heat and cooking for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally (add additional whole veggies or protein during this step).

7. Once the noodles are cooked, remove the soup from the heat and add any additional seasonings if needed.
8. Serve the soup by ladling it into bowls and adding your choice of toppings.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• You can strain the tomato sauce over a separate bowl if it's easier for you instead of directly over the soup pot.
• If you want to make this recipe oil-free, you can dry toast the noodles, but be sure to stir them continuously so they don't burn!
• Use your hands to break the gluten-free spaghetti into about 1-inch pieces, not too small or large.
• You can use an 8-ounce can of plain tomato sauce in place of diced tomatoes for ease and time savings. You can add this to the blender with the rest of the veggies and aromatics or to the soup pot without any blending. (Note that this will mean you should use onion powder instead of whole chopped onion for flavor if you still want a clear soup).

Storage Instructions

• Storing Leftovers: You can store leftover Mexican noodle soup, once cooled, in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the vegan sopa de fideo in a freezer-safe container or flat in freezer bags for up to 6 months. Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheating: Reheat leftover soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat or quickly heat individual serving in the microwave. Place a paper towel or napkin over the bowl to prevent tomato splatter!

Serving Suggestions

You can top your Mexican noodle soup with some vegan sour cream, gluten-free tortilla chips, lime wedges, jalapeno slices, avocado slices, or fresh cilantro. You can serve your soup alongside a plate of tostones, Mexican street corn salad, sweet potato fries, baby potatoes, or a slice of jalapeno cornbread!

More Gluten-Free Mexican Recipes:

• Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Soup
• Cranberry Bean & Pepper Tacos
• Baked Pinto Bean Taquitos
• Pinto Bean Tamales
• Quick & Easy Quinoa Tostadas
• Vegan Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Print

So good, so cozy, this gluten-free Mexican noodle soup will lift your spirits and make you feel better, guaranteed!

So tell me:

+ What was your "sick-day" soup of choice as a child?

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