We’re finally experiencing some Winter-like weather. Rain for the next week is the forecast. This morning the wind was howling and it’s getting colder. We need the rain. My poor deciduous trees don’t know whether to wake up from dormancy or stay under until Spring truly arrives. Too many gray days in a row make my Corgis sad.
Let’s talk about a bowl of hot, pasta and vegetable, homemade soup…
Homemade soups are my comfort food and can be the easiest most tastiest thing to make. Serve it solo or with a side salad, artisanal bread slathered with butter and warmed to a light texture in the oven…even crackers or croutons. Some of my soups are a matter-of-fact for me that I sometimes forget that I’m actually cooking.
This is my rendition of a childhood favorite soup (sopa) that my Mom used to make with fideo, estrella (stars) or alphabeta pasta. My changes over the years has been the seasonings and addition of vegetables, serving it with small cubes of Cotija cheese and garnishing the top with crumbled Cotija, as well. It’s good…it’s my comfort food from childhood days {sigh} and I always think of my Mom and Dad when making and serving it.
- The alphabet and star pastas are actually enriched macaroni products made of semolina and are sold under such brands as Goya and El Mexicano in 7 ounce bags. These fun shapes can usually be found in your local markets in the Hispanic foods section.
- The pasta will expand when cooking. Take care not to overcook the pasta. Otherwise, like all pastas, they will become mushy.
Serves 4-6
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces stars macaroni pasta
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup onion, diced small
1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes and its juices
3 14.5-ounce cans chicken broth, fat free and low sodium
2 dried bay leaves
1 cup carrots, peeled, cut lengthwise and sliced 1/4-inch thick (about 2 carrots)
1 cup celery, sliced 1/4-inch thick (about 2 stalks)
1 cup frozen sweet corn
1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
Cotija cheese, both cubed and crumbled for garnish
Add the 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 quart stockpot. Over medium-low heat, add the pasta stirring and coating with the olive oil until lightly browned (do not burn), about 5-8 minutes. Transfer the pasta from the stock pot to a bowl large enough to hold it and set aside.
In the same stock pot, add 2 teaspoons olive oil and onions and saute over medium-low heat just until transparent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the whole tomatoes with their juices, broth and the bay leaves and cook until a it comes to a fast simmer, about 10-15 minutes.
Add the carrots, celery, sweet corn, shredded chicken breast, salt and pepper. For the oregano, place in the palm of your left hand and with your right hand, crush and twist the oregano between your palms into the soup. Add the pasta and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring gently. The vegetables should be tender by this time. Turn off the heat and place a cover over the soup and continue to let the pasta come to the desired consistency.
To Serve
Place several small cubes of Cotija cheese in the bottom of each bowl. Ladle soup into the bowls. Crumble Cotija cheese on top of the soup and serve.
To Store
Let soup come to room temperature, uncovered (the pasta will continue to cook while it’s still hot). When at room temperature, store in the refrigerator.
Nessa says
I’ve been making Fideo for years now, but I made your recipe a few days ago and it turned out fabulous! Even the boys loved it, and they’re not big fans of veggies in soup! I think I’ll make another pot today! 🙂
Gamster Boy says
It looks really yummy!
Jasmine says
I can use a bowl of your pasta soup right about now on this cold and windy day. Your addition of strips of chicken and vegetables looks excellent in your presentation. Thanks for the idea.
Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} says
looks delicious!
Ang says
This looks great! I would love this but I know for sure my daughter would with all those stars:) I love soup! Hope you have a great weekend.
Karen says
I used to LOVE alphabet soup as a child. In fact, I still like to use it when I’m in the mood for a quick veggie soup with pasta in it. So much more fun to eat than risoni! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe!
sippitysup says
I chose alphabet (‘cuz they remind me of after school snacks and grade school)!! Beautiful as always. GREG
Erin @ what the fork says
Oh my goodness this looks amazing! I’m going to have to try this soon to try and chase away these evil winter chills.
Juliana says
Your pasta soup look so cute…absolutely perfect for the cold weather that we are experiencing now 🙂 Love the idea of the cheese in it!
Victor @ RandomCuisine says
Love the use of cute pasta. Such a comforting sopa.
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says
This soup envokes childhood memories with the type of pasta you used and sounds so incredibly tasty. My husband would actually LOVE this soup. It is now on my list of items to make. 🙂
Monet says
Talk about a dose of nostalgia! I just loved seeing that star and alphabet shaped pasta…it reminds me of the soup I used to eat as a child. Thank you for sharing your beautiful bowl with me. I hope you have a wonderful night, my dear!
Magic of Spice says
I have not seen these pasta shapes since my kids were little, how fun 🙂 Wonderful recipe and love the add of cotija, very nice 🙂
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
Alphabet pasta soup is one of my boys’ favorites. It is so warm and comforting perfect for this time of the year. Have a great weekend!
Stephanie says
This is so much like a soup my mother used to make when I was home sick from school. Got to keep those classics alive.
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen says
This soup looks so perfect for this time of year! Nothing is better than a bowl of homemade soup! 🙂
Stephanie @ okie dokie artichokie says
This soup looks so comforting. Reminds me of my childhood with all the cute estrellas and letras alfabeticos! Great idea, Cristina! :-p
Kankana says
I am a huge pasta fan and your dish looks fantastic! and those alphabet pasta .. where do i find them ?? they are so cute .. have to start my hunt 🙂
Sandy says
This is what I love about your blog. I visit expecting sweet scrumptious desserts and I find this yummy warming soup ! Beautiful photos Christina and welcome to Seattle weather in your part of the country. Although Seattle today is sunshine and blue skies but about 35 degrees-perfect for this soup !
redkathy says
I love the “cheese on the bottom” idea Cristina. Of course I would love that idea, I’m a cheese-alohic! I buy these Goya brand pasta too, very good flavor. Will have to try the cheese and browning those little babies first. As always, your soup display is awesome and totally comforting!
Have a great weekend!
melissa @IWasBornToCook says
I JUST bought the alphabet pasta for the first time this week, for my 2.5 year old daughter…she loves pasta and I have no idea why I didn’t buy it sooner. This soup looks like something she’d enjoy.
Pachecopatty says
My family would love this soup! I am actually going to make soup for dinner tonight, a sweep of the fridge after a vacation so I’m not going to the market. But, I will try your simply wonderful soup. The photos are so appealing, I love the look of the little stars;-)
torviewtoronto says
lovely combination looks delicious
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
This is such an interesting recipe, yet fun at the same time with those cute pasta shapes! I really love how you lightly browned the pasta and poured the whole thing over a chunk of cheese. This just looks so wonderful and comforting and like something my mom would make… I’d love to make it myself, though! Thanks for this wonderful recipe and for always inspiring, Cristina. Have a great day!
Roxan says
Cristina! this such a cute soup. I love the star pastas. Where did you get them? I must have some too. Wow, those are some really short sentences I wrote! Anyways, you have corgis? So lucky! Corgis are so cute, with their short little legs.
Cristina - Teenie Cakes says
Hi Roxane: The stars or alphabets can usually be found in the Hispanic sections of your local markets. They come under the brand/labels of Goya and El Mexicano. They’re enriched macaroni products made of semolina. The bags are really small (7 ounces) so they may be easy to miss. =)
The Rowdy Chowgirl says
I love the little stars! This does indeed look warm and comforting!
Cristina - Teenie Cakes says
Hi Rowdy: That’s what we loved as kids too…somehow we used to think there was a difference between Mom using the stars or the alphabets…but it didn’t matter it tasted the same. Just looked cute with one or the other. 😉
Mary says
Browning the pasta before cooking it is such a good idea, I have yet to try it. By browning the pasta it is supposed to give it a nutty flavour, right? It is the perfect soup for winter or when you are under the weather. Thanks for sharing!
Cristina - Teenie Cakes says
Hi Mary: It is the perfect soup for this colder weather and especially when feather under the weather. The chicken broth used is enough to call it chicken soup too! 😉
nancy@skinnykitchen.com says
This soup looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Cristina - Teenie Cakes says
Thanks Nancy. I promise…it’s really yummy! 😉