Ah! You’re describing a classic Mexican-style Fideo con Papas y Carne Molida—a comforting noodle and potato soup or stew. It’s quick, hearty, and perfect for weeknights. Here’s a detailed recipe.
Fideo with Potatoes and Ground Beef
Serves
4–6
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup fideo noodles (or broken vermicelli)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Broth & Flavoring
- 4 cups beef or chicken stock (or water + bouillon)
- 1 cup tomato puree or 2 large tomatoes, blended
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder or paprika (optional, mild heat)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: 1 bay leaf
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Mexican crema or sour cream
Instructions
1. Toast the Fideo
- Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Add fideo noodles and lightly toast until golden brown (about 3–5 minutes).
- This gives a nutty flavor and prevents mushiness.
- Remove noodles from pan and set aside.
2. Cook the Meat & Aromatics
- In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed.
- Sauté onion until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Add Potatoes & Tomato
- Stir in diced potatoes and tomato puree.
- Cook 2–3 minutes, letting flavors combine.
4. Add Broth & Simmer
- Pour in stock and bay leaf if using.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Add toasted fideo noodles and simmer 5–7 more minutes until noodles are soft but not mushy.
5. Taste & Adjust
- Adjust salt and pepper.
- Remove bay leaf if used.
6. Serve
- Ladle into bowls.
- Garnish with cilantro, avocado, lime, or crema.
💡 Tips:
- For richer flavor, blend 1 roasted tomato and 1 roasted chili with the tomato puree.
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even chorizo.
- Some recipes add frozen peas or corn for extra veggies.
If you want, I can also make a one-pot version that crisps the fideo lightly before simmering, giving it that classic Mexican restaurant texture—super flavorful and slightly nutty.
Do you want me to do that?
