Albóndigas con fideos is a classic Latin American / Spanish-style meatball and noodle soup/stew—hearty, comforting, and perfect for a family meal. 🍲🍝
Here’s a detailed breakdown and recipe:
Albóndigas con Fideos (Meatballs with Noodles)
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the Meatballs (Albóndigas)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1/4 cup rice (uncooked, optional for texture)
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup/Broth
- 6 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato puree or diced tomatoes
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 celery stalk, sliced
- 1 small potato, diced (optional)
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Noodles
- 1 cup short noodles (vermicelli broken into pieces, fideos, or small pasta)
Optional Garnish
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
- Lime wedges
Instructions
1. Make the Meatballs
- In a bowl, combine all meatball ingredients.
- Mix gently until evenly combined (don’t overmix).
- Shape into small balls, about 1–1.5 inches in diameter.
2. Prepare the Broth
- In a large pot, sauté onion, carrot, and celery for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Add tomato puree, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes.
- Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil.
3. Cook the Meatballs
- Carefully drop meatballs into simmering broth.
- Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring gently occasionally.
4. Add the Noodles
- Add noodles/fideos to the pot.
- Simmer 5–7 minutes, or until noodles are tender and meatballs are fully cooked.
5. Taste & Adjust
- Check seasoning; add more salt, pepper, or cumin if needed.
6. Serve
- Ladle into bowls with broth, meatballs, and noodles.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Serve with warm tortillas or bread.
Tips & Variations
- Vegetables: Add zucchini, green beans, or peas for extra nutrition.
- Spice: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne for mild heat.
- Rice alternative: Some recipes use fideos instead of rice inside meatballs.
- Freezer-friendly: Meatballs can be frozen uncooked and added to broth later.
This dish is comforting, warming, and versatile—perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday family meals.
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute “shortcut” version using pre-cooked meatballs and instant noodles that tastes just as good.
Do you want me to do that?
