Sopa de Coditos (Mexican Elbow Soup)

Introducing Sopa de Coditos, also known as Mexican Elbow Soup, a hearty and comforting dish that brings together the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine. This soup features tender elbow macaroni pasta, savory ground beef (or your choice of protein), and a rich tomato-based broth infused with aromatic spices and vegetables. It’s a satisfying one-pot meal that’s perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings with friends.

Whether you’re craving a warm bowl of soup on a chilly evening or looking to explore the diverse flavors of Mexican cooking, Sopa de Coditos is sure to delight your taste buds with its delicious simplicity and nourishing ingredients. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover the warmth and comfort of this beloved Mexican classic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Rich and Flavorful Broth: The tomato-based broth infused with garlic, onion, cilantro, and optional chipotle peppers creates a rich and flavorful base that is both comforting and satisfying.

Versatile Protein Options: Whether using ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, this recipe offers flexibility to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a delicious bowl of soup.

Hearty and Filling: With the addition of elbow macaroni pasta and optional mixed vegetables, this soup becomes a complete and hearty meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner, providing warmth and nourishment.

Aromatic Spices: The use of powdered cumin, salt, and pepper adds depth and complexity to the soup, enhancing its overall flavor profile and making it a true delight for the senses.

Customizable: This recipe is highly customizable, allowing individuals to adjust the seasonings, protein choice, and vegetable selection according to their preferences and dietary needs, making it suitable for various tastes and occasions.

Easy Preparation: With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, this soup is easy to prepare, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Family-Friendly: Loved by both adults and children alike, Sopa de Coditos is a family-friendly dish that brings everyone together around the dinner table, fostering warmth, connection, and shared memories.

Traditional Mexican Flavors: This recipe celebrates the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine, offering a taste of tradition and culture that resonates with people who appreciate the vibrant and diverse culinary heritage of Mexico.

Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with wholesome ingredients such as vegetables, lean protein, and aromatic spices, this soup is not only delicious but also nutritious, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and protein to support overall health and well-being.

Satisfying Comfort Food: Ultimately, people will love this recipe because it’s more than just a soup – it’s a comforting and soul-nourishing dish that brings warmth, joy, and a sense of home with every spoonful, making it a beloved favorite for generations to come.

What You Need To Make Sopa de Coditos (Mexican Elbow Soup)

Coditos Pasta (Elbow Macaroni): This classic pasta shape adds heartiness and texture to the soup, providing a satisfying base for the dish.

Ground Beef (or Pork, Chicken, Turkey): The protein component of the soup, adding flavor and substance. Choose your preferred meat option based on personal taste or dietary preferences.

Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are blended to create a rich and flavorful tomato sauce base for the soup, enhancing its depth of flavor.

Onion and Garlic: These aromatic ingredients add depth and complexity to the soup, providing savory undertones and enhancing overall flavor.

Olive Oil: Used for frying the pasta and sautéing the vegetables, olive oil adds richness and helps to enhance the flavors of the dish.

Chipotle in Adobo Peppers (Optional): These spicy and smoky peppers add heat and depth of flavor to the soup, providing a subtle smokiness and complexity.

Cilantro (Optional): Fresh cilantro adds brightness and freshness to the soup, complementing the other flavors and adding a pop of color.

Powdered Cumin: This warm and earthy spice adds depth and complexity to the soup, enhancing its overall flavor profile.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that help to balance and enhance the flavors of the soup, ensuring it is well-seasoned and delicious.

Mixed Vegetables (Optional): Carrots, zucchini, potatoes, peas, or any other vegetables of your choice can be added to the soup for extra flavor, texture, and nutritional value.

How to make Sopa de Coditos (Mexican Elbow Soup)

Ingredients:

1 -7 oz package coditos pasta (elbow macaroni)

1 pound ground beef (or pork, chicken, turkey.)

3 medium tomatoes (cut into quarters)

1 small onion (halved)

4 Tablespoons olive oil (as needed)

2 chipotle in adobo peppers (optional)

1 small bunch cilantro (optional)

2 cloves garlic (peeled)

powdered cumin (to taste)

salt and pepper (to taste)

Optional: 3 ½ cups mixed vegetables (carrots, zucchini, potatoes, peas, etc.)

Instructions:

Place tomatoes, chipotle peppers (optional) onion, cilantro, and garlic cloves in a blender.

Add 1 cup of water and blend until smooth. Strain and set aside.

In a large pot heat the olive oil and fry the elbow pasta mixing continuously until nicely browned.

Remove the pasta from the pot with a slotted spoon and set it aside.

Add ground meat to the pot and season with salt, pepper, and cumin to your liking.

Break the meat with the back of a spoon and cook until slightly browned over medium-high heat (8-10 minutes).

Stir in the vegetables and cook for one minute.

Pour in the tomato sauce, cook for one minute, then add 6 cups of water.

Bring to a boil and then return the elbow pasta to the pot. Season with salt and cover the pot.

Cook everything for about 10 minutes or until pasta and vegetables are nicely tender.

Adjust seasonings to taste and turn off the heat.

Serve immediately with a squeeze of lime.

Notes:

Preparation of Tomato Sauce: Blending the tomatoes, chipotle peppers, onion, cilantro, and garlic creates a flavorful base for the soup. Straining the mixture removes any solids, resulting in a smooth sauce.

Browning the Elbow Pasta: Frying the elbow pasta in olive oil adds depth of flavor and texture to the soup, creating a slightly crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior.

Cooking the Ground Meat: Seasoning the ground meat with salt, pepper, and cumin infuses it with flavor. Breaking it up as it cooks ensures even browning and distribution of flavors.

Incorporating the Vegetables: Adding the mixed vegetables to the pot introduces color, texture, and nutrition to the soup. Cooking them briefly ensures they are tender yet still vibrant.

Combining the Ingredients: Pouring in the tomato sauce and water creates the soup’s base, allowing the flavors to meld together as it simmers. Returning the browned elbow pasta to the pot ensures it absorbs the flavors of the soup.

Seasoning and Adjusting: Seasoning with salt and pepper at the end allows for adjustments to taste. This step ensures the soup is perfectly seasoned before serving.

Finishing Touches: Serving the soup immediately with a squeeze of lime adds brightness and acidity, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Customization: The optional addition of chipotle peppers, cilantro, and mixed vegetables allows for customization based on personal preference and availability of ingredients.

Variation in Protein: The recipe provides flexibility in protein choice, allowing for the use of ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, catering to individual taste preferences and dietary restrictions.

Serving Suggestions: This soup can be enjoyed as a standalone meal or paired with warm tortillas, crusty bread, or a side salad for a complete and satisfying dining experience.

Nutrition Information:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of pasta for this recipe?

While the recipe calls for coditos pasta (elbow macaroni), you can substitute with any small pasta shape of your choice, such as small shells or ditalini.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can omit the ground meat entirely and increase the amount of mixed vegetables or add beans for protein.

Are chipotle peppers necessary for this recipe?

No, chipotle peppers are optional.

They add a smoky and spicy flavor to the soup. If you prefer a milder soup, you can omit them.

Can I make this soup in advance?

Yes, you can make this soup in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, this soup freezes well.

Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can I adjust the spice level of this soup?

Absolutely! You can adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer chipotle peppers or by omitting them altogether.

You can also adjust the amount of powdered cumin and black pepper to suit your taste.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried cumin?

Yes, you can use fresh cumin seeds instead of powdered cumin.

Toast them in a dry skillet until fragrant, then grind them with a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder before adding to the soup.

Can I add other vegetables to this soup?

Yes, you can customize this soup by adding your favorite vegetables.

Bell peppers, corn, and spinach are all great additions.

Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta instead of coditos pasta to make this soup gluten-free.

Ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

Can I skip the blending step for the tomato sauce?

While blending the tomato sauce creates a smooth texture, you can skip this step if you prefer a chunkier soup.

Simply dice the tomatoes and onions finely before adding them to the pot.

Adjust the cooking time accordingly.