Name: Sopa de Fideo with Green Chile & Ground Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef — Makes the soup hearty and adds rich, savory flavor to the broth.; 7 oz fideo or thin vermicelli noodles — The signature noodle component. Toasting them first gives the soup additional depth and texture.; 1 cup roasted green chile, chopped — Adds smoky chile flavor and a pleasant Southwestern kick.; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes — Creates a flavorful tomato base and adds texture to the broth.; 4 cups beef broth — Provides the rich, savory liquid foundation for the soup.; 1 small yellow onion, diced — Adds mild sweetness and aromatic flavor as it cooks with the beef.; 3 garlic cloves, minced — Adds savory depth and complements the chile and spices.; 1 tbsp vegetable oil — Used to toast the fideo until lightly golden.; 1 tsp ground cumin — Adds earthy warmth and classic Southwestern flavor.; 1 tsp chili powder — Provides mild chile flavor and additional seasoning.; ½ tsp smoked paprika — Adds a subtle smoky quality that pairs especially well with the roasted green chile.; ½ tsp dried oregano — Adds an herbal note that rounds out the broth.; ½ tsp salt — Seasons the soup and enhances the other ingredients.; ¼ tsp black pepper — Adds mild peppery warmth.; ½ cup corn, optional — Adds pops of sweetness and extra texture.; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped — Gives the finished soup a fresh herbal flavor.; 1 lime, cut into wedges — A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the rich broth just before serving.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this hearty green chile fideo soup and why each ingredient matters.

1 lb ground beef — Makes the soup hearty and adds rich, savory flavor to the broth.
7 oz fideo or thin vermicelli noodles — The signature noodle component. Toasting them first gives the soup additional depth and texture.
1 cup roasted green chile, chopped — Adds smoky chile flavor and a pleasant Southwestern kick.
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes — Creates a flavorful tomato base and adds texture to the broth.
4 cups beef broth — Provides the rich, savory liquid foundation for the soup.
1 small yellow onion, diced — Adds mild sweetness and aromatic flavor as it cooks with the beef.
3 garlic cloves, minced — Adds savory depth and complements the chile and spices.
1 tbsp vegetable oil — Used to toast the fideo until lightly golden.
1 tsp ground cumin — Adds earthy warmth and classic Southwestern flavor.
1 tsp chili powder — Provides mild chile flavor and additional seasoning.
½ tsp smoked paprika — Adds a subtle smoky quality that pairs especially well with the roasted green chile.
½ tsp dried oregano — Adds an herbal note that rounds out the broth.
½ tsp salt — Seasons the soup and enhances the other ingredients.
¼ tsp black pepper — Adds mild peppery warmth.
½ cup corn, optional — Adds pops of sweetness and extra texture.
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped — Gives the finished soup a fresh herbal flavor.
1 lime, cut into wedges — A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the rich broth just before serving.

Instructions

This comforting soup comes together in one pot with a few simple cooking steps.

Step 1: Toast the Fideo

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the fideo noodles and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Once the noodles are lightly golden and fragrant, transfer them to a bowl and set them aside.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef and Onion

Add the ground beef and diced yellow onion to the same pot.

Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles with a spoon as it cooks.

Continue until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.

Step 3: Add the Garlic and Seasonings

Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Stir everything together and cook for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic and spices become fragrant.

Step 4: Build the Broth

Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth.

Stir well while scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Those browned bits add even more savory flavor to the soup.

Step 5: Add the Green Chile

Stir in the chopped roasted green chile.

If you’re using corn, add it at this stage as well.

Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Step 6: Return the Fideo to the Pot

Add the toasted fideo noodles back to the soup.

Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook until the noodles are tender but still hold their shape.

Step 7: Taste and Adjust

Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or black pepper if needed.

Remember that the flavor of the broth can vary depending on the saltiness of your beef broth and roasted green chile.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Ladle the hot soup into individual bowls.

Finish each serving with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the soup just before eating for a bright, tangy finish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6
Calories: 385 per serving385 per serving