Mexican Shells Soup | Easy Sopa de Conchas
This Mexican shells pasta soup, sopa de conchas, is made with a homemade tomato broth and it uses simple ingredients to make a hearty, filling, budget friendly meal that the whole family will love — yes, even the picky eaters. Serve it for lunch, dinner or as an entrée, it’s delicious every way and a great recipe any day of the week.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 145kcal
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce Ingredients
- 3 whole Roma tomatoes cut into quarters
- ½ cup chopped white onion it's about half a medium onion
- 2 whole cloves garlic
- ¾ cup of water
Soup Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil
- one 8 oz dry shell pasta small conchitas
- 5 cups vegetable broth store bought or homemade
- 2 sprigs cilantro optional
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste keep in mind the saltiness of the broth you use
Topping Options
- 1 teaspoon sour cream*
- ½ teaspoon lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons avocado
- 1 Tablespoon crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese*
- 1 Pickled jalapeños
Instructions
Tomato Sauce Instructions
- Place the tomatoes, onion, garlic and water into a blender. Blend until smooth then set aside. (If using canned tomato sauce use 1 cup or 8oz then add the onion, garlic, and water to the blender cup.)
Soup Instructions
- In a large stockpot and over medium heat, warm up the oilve oil or vegetable oil. Then once hot carefully pour in the dry pasta shells. Stir often and allow to toast.You need to keep a close eye on it so the pasta doesn’t burn.
- Next pour in the blended tomato sauce over the shells. Stir until well combined and allow to simmer for over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes or just until the sauce thickens up.
- Now you’ll carefully pour in the broth and drop in the cilantro sprigs. Give the pot a good stir, partly cover and allow to simmer over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until the shell pasta is tender. Check on the sopa now and again so it doesn’t burn or overcook.
- Taste and adjust salt if desired. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Top with you favorite garnishes and enjoy!
Notes
*You can use 1 cup of tomato sauce as a substitute for the fresh tomatoes.
Nutrition
Serving: 4servings | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 1857mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 813IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
