Sopa Seca de Fideo con Chile Colorado (Dry Fideo Noodles)
Toasted vermicelli noodles cooked in red chilli sauce until they soak it all up, a comforting Mexican family favourite.
Made with Chile colorado sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.63 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a wide, deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the broken fideo and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden brown. Take care it does not burn.
4 min - 2
Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
2 min - 3
Pour in your ready made chile colorado sauce (see the base recipe) and the hot stock and stir well.
- 4
Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on a low heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the noodles are tender and have absorbed almost all the liquid.
10 min - 5
Rest for 2 minutes. Serve topped with avocado, coriander and a squeeze of lime.
Tips
- Browning the noodles in oil first gives the nutty flavour that defines fideo seco. Do not skip it.
- If the noodles are still firm and the pan dry, add a splash of hot water and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Stir gently so the noodles do not break into very small pieces.
Storing and freezing
Eat straight away, as the noodles keep absorbing liquid. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 2 days and reheat with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is fideo?
Fideo is a thin vermicelli noodle used throughout Mexico and Spain. Break up spaghetti or vermicelli nests if you cannot find it.
Is this dish vegan?
Yes, as written with egg free noodles and vegetable stock. Always check the pasta label, as some contain egg.
Is it gluten free?
No, fideo is made from wheat. Gluten free vermicelli or rice noodles can work but cook faster, so check the pack timings.
More made with chile colorado sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.