Sopa de Coditos (Mexican elbow soup)

Ingredients

• 198 g (7 oz)elbow macaroni
• 454 g (1 lb)ground beef, or pork, chicken or turkey
• about 830 ml (3½ cups)mixed vegetables, such as carrots, courgette, potatoes and peas
• 3 mediumtomatoes, quartered
• 1 smallonion, halved
• 60 ml (4 tablespoons), as neededolive oil
• 2chipotle peppers in adobo, optional
• 1 small bunch, optionalfresh coriander
• 2 clovesgarlic, peeled
• to tasteground cumin
• to tastesalt and black pepper
• 1.66 L (7 cups)water
• to tastelime, for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Blend the sauce

   Put the tomatoes, chipotle peppers if using, onion, coriander and garlic in a blender.

2. 2

   Strain the sauce

   Add 240 ml (1 cup) water and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture and set it aside.

3. 3

   Brown the pasta

   Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the elbow macaroni and fry, stirring continuously, until nicely browned.

4. 4

   Set pasta aside

   Lift the pasta out of the pot with a slotted spoon and set it aside.

5. 5

   Season the meat

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

6. 6

   Brown the meat

   Break up the meat with the back of a spoon and cook over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, until slightly browned.

7. 7

   Cook the vegetables

   Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for 1 minute.

8. 8

   Add the sauce

   Pour in the tomato sauce and cook for 1 minute, then add 1.42 L (6 cups) water.

9. 9

   Return the pasta

   Bring the soup to a boil, then return the elbow macaroni to the pot. Season with salt and cover.

10. 10

    Simmer until tender

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

11. 11

    Adjust the seasoning

    Taste and adjust the seasonings, then turn off the heat.

12. 12

    Serve with lime

    Serve immediately with a squeeze of lime.

What is sopa de coditos?

Sopa de coditos translates as elbow pasta soup, a homely Mexican dish made by simmering pasta in a seasoned broth. This version combines tomato, ground meat and mixed vegetables for a filling one-pot meal.

The pasta is fried before it simmers, giving it colour and helping it hold its shape in the broth. Chipotle is optional, so you can keep the soup mild or give the tomato base a smoky kick.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 489 calories, 22g protein, 44g carbs, 26g fat.

The pasta and vegetables provide most of the carbohydrates, while the ground meat contributes much of the protein. Olive oil and the meat account for much of the fat. For a more balanced plate, serve a moderate bowl with a crisp salad or extra non-starchy vegetables.

Why brown the pasta first?

Pasta browning: Fry the coditos in the oil, stirring often, until they develop an even golden colour. Remove them before cooking the meat so they do not overcook while you build the soup.

Oil level: The recipe gives up to 60 ml of olive oil, as needed. Use enough to coat and fry the pasta, taking care to keep it moving in the pot.

Build a flavourful tomato broth

Blended base: Tomatoes, onion, garlic and coriander are blended with water, then strained for a smoother broth. If using chipotle, blend it into this base so its flavour spreads through the soup.

Meat seasoning: Season the ground meat with cumin, salt and pepper as it cooks. Browning it before adding the liquid gives the broth a savoury foundation.

Get the texture right

Pasta: The coditos should be tender but still intact when the soup is done. Check them near the end of the 10-minute simmer, since pasta can soften further if left in the hot broth.

Vegetables: Cut larger pieces small enough to become tender alongside the pasta. The recipe allows a mix, so choose vegetables that cook in a similar amount of time.

Timing and serving

Keep the stages moving: While the pasta fries, prepare the blended tomato mixture; once the meat is browned, the vegetables and sauce go in quickly. The listed simmer is about 10 minutes, with the pasta and vegetables as the final doneness guide.

Serve the soup straight away with lime squeezed over each bowl. It is substantial on its own, or you can pair it with warm tortillas or a simple salad.

Choose your meat and vegetables

Ground meat: Beef is the listed choice, but pork, chicken or turkey can be used instead. Whichever you choose, break it into small pieces as it cooks so it distributes through the soup.

Vegetables: The recipe suggests carrots, courgette, potatoes and peas, but the mixture can vary. Keep the total amount close to 830 ml so the balance of broth, pasta and vegetables stays similar.

Recipe notes & tips

• Stir the pasta continuously as it fries so it browns evenly without catching.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the pasta while leaving the oil in the pot for the meat.
• Strain the blended tomato mixture if you want a smoother broth.
• Taste the soup before serving and adjust the salt, pepper and cumin.
• Add the lime just before eating to keep its fresh, bright flavour.

Variations

• Make it milder: Leave out the chipotle peppers for a gentler tomato broth.
• Use turkey: Replace the beef with ground turkey and brown it in the same way.
• Change the vegetables: Use a similar amount of mixed vegetables you have on hand.
• Add smoky heat: Blend in both chipotle peppers for a more pronounced smoky flavour.
• Finish with herbs: Serve with extra chopped coriander if you enjoy its fresh flavour.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Unevenly browned pasta: Keep it moving in the oil and stir continuously.
• Pasta left in the pot: Remove it after frying so it does not cook through before the broth is ready.
• Large meat clumps: Break the meat up with the back of a spoon as it browns.
• Overcooked coditos: Check the pasta around the 10-minute mark and stop cooking when tender.
• Under-seasoned broth: Taste after simmering and adjust the salt, pepper and cumin before serving.

How to store

Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave until hot; the pasta will absorb broth as it sits, so add a splash of water if needed.

Frequently asked questions