Nothing says comfort food like a big bowl of homemade sopita with ground beef. This is one of those recipes I make often for my family because it checks all the boxes. It’s hearty, flavorful, affordable, and incredibly easy to throw together on a busy night. It’s also one of our family favorites.
This dish is made with toasted fideo noodles, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato broth that comes together quickly but tastes like it simmered all day. It is cozy and satisfying, and the best part is that it’s made with simple pantry staples.
One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it stretches a single pound of ground beef into a full, filling meal. With grocery prices being what they are these days, finding meals like this that are both economical and delicious is really important to me. Just because a dish is humble and inexpensive doesn’t mean it has to lack flavor. And this one definitely doesn’t.
It starts with toasting the fideo noodles until golden and nutty. Then the beef gets browned with onion, garlic, and spices until it smells amazing and develops those delicious browned bits at the bottom of the pot. That’s where all the flavor is hiding. Once you add the blended tomato mixture and simmer everything together, it becomes pure comfort in a bowl.
I always finish it off with a big handful of chopped cilantro for a fresh touch. It’s perfect served as-is or with a warm tortilla on the side. Once you try it, I’m pretty sure it’ll be going into your regular dinner rotation too.
Sopita with Ground Beef
This comforting sopita with ground beef features toasted fideo noodles, seasoned ground beef, and a flavorful homemade tomato broth. It’s budget-friendly, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 4 roma tomatoes halved
- 1 white onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tsp tomato bouillon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbs vegetable oil
- 7 oz fideo noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6 cups water
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped
Instructions
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Add the roma tomatoes and tomato bouillon to a blender. Add about 1/2 cup of water if needed to help it blend smoothly. Blend until completely smooth and set aside.
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Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the oil. Once hot, add the fideo noodles and toast them for about 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown. Transfer the toasted noodles to a plate and set aside.
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In the same pot, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula. Once it’s about halfway cooked, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir and cook for a few minutes.
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Add the salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground cumin. Stir well. Continue cooking until all the liquid has evaporated. (This step is key to browning the meat properly instead of it just steaming.) Let the beef cook in its own fat until it starts to brown nicely. It will smell amazing!
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Pour in the blended tomato mixture. Stir well and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
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Return the toasted noodles to the pot. Add 6 cups of water and stir. Taste the broth and add more salt or bouillon if needed.
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Bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender. Then stir in the chopped cilantro.