If you’re looking for a comforting and quick meal that delivers on flavor, then the Knorr Fideo Soup recipe is something you must try! This hearty soup is a staple in many Latin American households, known for its ability to warm you up on chilly days and soothe your soul in an instant. Fideo, which translates to "noodle" in Spanish, is the key ingredient in this delicious dish. When combined with savory broth and rich seasonings, it turns into an easy-to-make soup that’s incredibly satisfying.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity – you can easily whip it up with just a handful of ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or preparing a dish for your family on a lazy weekend, Knorr Fideo Soup offers a quick, flavorful solution. Plus, it’s super versatile, so feel free to make adjustments based on what you have available in your pantry.
Let’s dive into how you can bring this classic recipe into your own kitchen!
Knorr Fideo Soup Recipe
At the heart of this recipe is Knorr’s seasoning, which gives the soup a savory, full-bodied flavor. It’s a shortcut that allows you to get restaurant-quality taste in the comfort of your own home without hours of preparation. The addition of fideo noodles creates a perfectly balanced texture: soft and hearty, yet light enough for you to have multiple servings without feeling too full.
Ingredients Needed
To get started, here’s a simple list of ingredients you’ll need to create this dish:
- Knorr Chicken Bouillon: This is the essential seasoning cube or powder that adds the rich chicken flavor to the broth.
- Fideo noodles: These thin, vermicelli-like noodles are what give the soup its character and heartiness. They absorb the flavors of the broth beautifully.
- Tomato paste: Adds depth and a slight sweetness to the soup, giving it a more developed flavor.
- Chopped onion: Brings out a natural sweetness when sautéed and deepens the overall taste of the soup.
- Garlic cloves: Garlic enhances the savory notes and pairs wonderfully with the chicken bouillon.
- Vegetable oil: Used to sauté the noodles and onions, which helps to develop the base flavor of the soup.
- Water: The base of the soup that helps dissolve the bouillon and tomato paste, creating a rich broth.
- Optional garnishes: Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or crumbled tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Cooking Instructions
Making Knorr Fideo Soup is straightforward, and the process can be broken down into a few easy steps:
- Sauté the Aromatics: Start by heating a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook it for about 3 minutes, or until it becomes translucent and aromatic. Next, add the garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn but releases its full flavor.
- Brown the Fideo Noodles: Add the fideo noodles to the pot. Stir frequently for about 3-4 minutes until they start to turn golden brown. This step helps to give the noodles a slightly toasted flavor, which makes the soup even more delicious.
- Add the Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, mixing it with the noodles, onions, and garlic. This will create a vibrant red base and start to thicken the broth.
- Prepare the Broth: Pour in about 4 cups of water and drop in the Knorr chicken bouillon cube (or equivalent chicken bouillon powder). Stir well to dissolve the bouillon, ensuring a smooth, flavorful broth.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a simmer over low heat and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the noodles will soften, and the flavors will meld together.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the soup and add salt or additional bouillon if needed. You can also add a touch of pepper or other seasonings for extra depth if desired.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or some crispy tortilla chips for extra texture.
Ingredient Insights
- Knorr Chicken Bouillon: Knorr’s bouillon cubes or powders are a fantastic shortcut for adding rich, savory flavor without needing to create your own stock from scratch. They dissolve easily into liquids and provide a depth of flavor in minutes, making them a pantry staple in many kitchens.
- Fideo Noodles: These thin, short noodles are specifically designed for soups and broths. Their quick-cooking nature makes them ideal for recipes like this, where you want them to absorb the liquid while staying soft and tender, but not mushy.
- Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is concentrated and intense in flavor. It gives the soup that rich, tomato-y depth that balances out the savory chicken broth and adds a subtle sweetness. If you don’t have tomato paste, you can use crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, though the flavor will be less concentrated.
- Garlic and Onion: These two ingredients are often called the “building blocks” of many dishes. When sautéed, they release natural sugars and flavors that create a deep umami base, enhancing all the other components of the soup.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Fideo noodles cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. Once they’re tender, the soup is ready. If you leave the noodles cooking too long, they can become soggy and lose their texture.
- Use Homemade Chicken Broth for Extra Flavor: If you have homemade chicken broth on hand, feel free to use it instead of water. This will deepen the flavor and make the soup even more comforting.
- Add Heat: If you like a little spice, try adding a chopped jalapeño or a dash of chili powder when you sauté the onions and garlic. This will give the soup a nice kick without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Make it a Meal: While this soup is perfect as a light lunch or side, you can bulk it up by adding vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or even some cooked chicken for extra protein.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Fideo Soup: Swap the chicken bouillon for a vegetable bouillon cube to make this soup vegetarian-friendly. You can also add extra vegetables like corn, peas, or bell peppers for a richer soup.
- Creamy Fideo Soup: For a creamy version, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream right before serving. This will give the soup a smooth, velvety texture.
- Fideo Soup with Meat: For added heartiness, you can add cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or even small chunks of sausage. These proteins will soak up the soup’s flavors and provide a more filling meal.
- Spicy Fideo Soup: Add more heat by including hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or even a few sliced fresh chilies. This version will add a nice contrast to the soup’s natural richness.
Final Words
Knorr Fideo Soup is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s simple to make, incredibly customizable, and always satisfying. Whether you’re following the traditional recipe or putting your own twist on it, you’ll find that this soup is a crowd-pleaser that brings people together. It’s the perfect balance of comfort food and convenience.
FAQs
What Is Knorr Fideo Soup?
Knorr Fideo Soup is a quick and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired soup, typically made with fideo pasta, a flavorful broth, and various seasonings. It’s often enhanced with vegetables or meat to add richness.
How Do You Make Knorr Fideo Soup?
To make Knorr Fideo Soup, cook fideo pasta in a pot with a little oil until golden brown. Then, add water and Knorr tomato or chicken bouillon, bringing it to a boil. Simmer until the fideo is tender. Optionally, add vegetables or meat.
Can I Use Regular Pasta Instead Of Fideo For The Soup?
While fideo pasta is traditional for this soup, you can substitute it with other small pasta shapes like vermicelli or angel hair, though the texture and flavor might vary slightly.
Is Knorr Fideo Soup Spicy?
Knorr Fideo Soup is not inherently spicy. However, you can adjust the spice level by adding ingredients like jalapeños, chili powder, or hot sauce to suit your preferences.
What Can I Add To Knorr Fideo Soup To Make It Heartier?
To make the soup heartier, you can add shredded chicken, ground beef, vegetables like carrots and zucchini, or beans such as pinto or black beans.
Can I Make Knorr Fideo Soup Without Bouillon Cubes?
Yes, you can make Knorr Fideo Soup without bouillon cubes by using homemade or store-bought broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) instead of water and bouillon. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
How Long Does Knorr Fideo Soup Take To Prepare?
Knorr Fideo Soup can typically be prepared in about 20 to 30 minutes, including the time needed to cook the fideo pasta and the broth to flavor and tenderize.
Can I Store Leftover Knorr Fideo Soup?
Yes, leftover Knorr Fideo Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for longer storage, though the texture of the pasta may change slightly upon reheating.
What Other Seasonings Can I Use For Knorr Fideo Soup?
In addition to the Knorr bouillon, you can enhance the soup with garlic, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, oregano, or cilantro to bring out more flavors.
Can I Make A Vegetarian Version Of Knorr Fideo Soup?
Yes, to make a vegetarian version, simply use vegetable broth or water with Knorr vegetable bouillon cubes. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or potatoes to enrich the soup.