Sopa de Letras (or alphabet soup) is a hearty and delicious Mexican tomato soup full of flavor. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal if you want a large bowl of comforting food. The meal is easy to make (it takes only 20 minutes!). It’s vegan, and you can freeze a large batch! Note: You will be searching for words with every spoonful.
What is SOPA de Letras?
This Mexican soup is made from toasted alphabet noodles, some vegetables, spices, and vegetable broth. It is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for days when you have no time to cook. My friend Yvette Sharpnack gave me this recipe, and she has just published it in Muy Bueno Fiestas, her latest cookbook. The book is a must-read for anyone who loves easy, delicious, and approachable Mexican food. Her recipes are amazing!
Ingredients for SOPA de Letras
It only takes a few simple steps to make this soup! If you want a simple and filling recipe that’s perfect for busy days, then here are the ingredients you need to prepare Sopa De Letras.
Alphabet Pasta—You can find this tiny pasta in the Latin aisle of most supermarkets. You can substitute it with other small pasta like ditalini or couscous. You can also use star-shaped pasta to make Sopa de Estrellitas.
Roma Tomatoes form the base for the broth. The tangy, savory flavor of tomatoes enhances the flavor. You can use 1 pound of fresh tomatoes or a 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes.
Garlic and Onions are aromatics that add earthy sweetness and complexity. Substitute the onion for 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder and the garlic for 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Vegetable Broth makes this soup vegetarian, but you can use chicken broth instead if that is what you have.
Topplings for SOPA de Letras
Enjoy your soup just as it is, or spice things up with some tasty toppings!
Yogurt or Sour Cream will add richness and tanginess to your soup.
Shredded Cheese adds creaminess and flavor.
Cilantro adds an herbaceousness to the soup and adds a splash of color.
Add lime wedges to the soup for acidity and brightness
Chile Flakes or Hot Sauce will add some heat to your soup.
Chopped Avocado adds creaminess and bulk.
What to serve with Sopa de Letras
Add some sides to make the soup more filling. Serve it with Cilantro Lime Rice or Homemade Garlic bread, or a Southwest Salad With Taco Ranch Dressing. You can also serve the soup with Black Bean and Avocado Enchiladas or sheet-pan Chicken Fajitas.
Ingredients
Half white onion quartered (0.33)
3 Roma tomatoes, quartered ($1.35)
One clove of garlic, coarsely chopped (0.07)
Black pepper, 1/2 tsp ($0.02)
2 cups vegetable broth ($0.37)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil ($0.12)
7 oz alphabet pasta ($4.42)
2 Cups Water ($0.01)
Salt to taste: 1/4 tsp (or more if you like)
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