Are you looking for an exciting sopa recipe with shells? Look no further! Sopa de conchas is a delicious Mexican soup that will be sure to impress your guests.

Mexican cooking has a rich history and sopa de conchas is a classic example of its’ deliciousness.

This sopa recipe with shells requires just the right combination of ingredients to create the perfect balance of flavors.

Found in Mexican households everywhere, sopa de conchas is one of the most popular sopa recipes with shells.

At the bottom of this post you will find some tips to help you create the best sopa de conchitas!

What is Sopa De Conchas?

This sopa recipe with shells features a base of chicken stock or vegetable broth, tomatoes, onions, and Mexican spices you can add in such as cumin, oregano, and garlic.

It also has small pasta shells (known as “conchas”) which gives it a unique flavor and texture.

The sopa is then topped with other ingredients such as shredded chicken, corn, and cilantro.

Also considered sopa Aguada known as a brothy soup, sopa de conchas is a popular dish in Mexican homes and the southwestern United States.

This easy recipe with shells is easy to prepare and incredibly flavorful—it’s the perfect way to get your family together around the dinner table.

What Does it Taste Like?

Sopa de conchas have a rich and complex flavor. The soup base is slightly spicy, with a bit of sweetness from the tomatoes and onions.

Known as comfort food, sopa de conchas is hearty and filling, making it a hit among kids and adults alike.

The pasta shells also add texture to each bite. This popular soup can be eaten as a main dish or side dish. It’s delicious, filling, and packed with flavor!

How do I Make Sopa De Conchas?

Making sopa de conchas is easy, it’s filled with simple ingredients and your favorite type of pasta!

Ingredients:

Many of these ingredients for sopa de conchas recipe can be found at the grocery store.

However, you can also make sopa de conchas with what you already have in your pantry.

• 5 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock/ chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 small white onion
• 1 lb ripe tomatoes or 2 fresh Roma tomatoes
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 16-ounce package of concha shells
• 2 cloves garlic
• Fresh cilantro to garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. First cut up your onion, garlic cloves, and tomatoes.

2. Next, add the onion, tomatoes, garlic cloves, and 1/2 cups of water to a blender. Mix for 1-2 minutes on high until smooth and set aside.

3. In a large stock pot or dutch oven heat the olive oil and add in the pasta. Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat stirring constantly.

Keep doing so until the dry shell pasta is slightly golden brown. Be careful not to burn the Mexican shells or you will have to start over.

4. Next, add the tomato and onion mixture plus the stock.

5. Bring it to a boil then on low heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.

6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

By following these exact ingredients and instructions you’ll have the best comforting soup!

Why People Enjoy Sopa De Conchas

Sopa de Conchas is a delicious shells soup that’s easy to make and full of flavor. It’s the perfect meal for family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings.

Picky eaters will love the unique texture of the pasta shells, and kids will love the creamy broth.

The sopa is also a great way to incorporate fresh vegetables into your meals.

This Mexican shell pasta soup recipe with shells is sure to please your guests as they will love the unique texture and great flavor this dish brings.

How to Store Sopa de Conchas

The sopa can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you plan on saving it, make sure to cool it down completely before placing it in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Reheat over medium high heat until warm and enjoy!

What Else Can You Substitute/Add-in?

This Mexican shell soup recipe can be altered to your liking. You can add vegetables or proteins to make it a complete meal.

To switch up the flavors, try adding different types of herbs and spices such as cayenne pepper, chili powder, or smoked paprika.

If you want something heartier, try adding cooked black beans for extra fiber and protein. For a creamy sopa, stir in some heavy cream or sour cream.

You can add in the rest of the ingredients to your liking for this Mexican sopita.

Here are some more ideas for this budget-friendly recipe:

Sauces

Tomato sauces, pastes, and broths are common ingredients in sopa de conchas.

The tomato sauce provides a sweet and tangy flavor to the sopa while the tomato paste adds a thicker texture and helps to thicken the sopa.

Tomato broth is often used as a base for sopa de conchas which gives the sopa an extra kick of flavor.

Ingredients to Add

By adding a combination of ground beef, chicken bouillon cubes, Mexican rice, green beans, and sauteed onions it gives this sopa its unique flavor while adding protein to keep you feeling full longer.

Chicken bouillon is a type of broth that adds depth and flavor to sopa de conchas.

Different Types of Pasta

While the traditional recipe calls for concha shells, sopa de conchas can be made with any type of pasta.

Fideo pasta is a type of thin, durum wheat pasta that can come in a variety of shapes.

Sopa de Fideo pasta is usually cut into short pieces, giving it the appearance of noodles or spaghetti strands and making them a popular recipe choice for sopa de conchas.

Other common pasta shapes include alphabet pasta, shells, stars, and spirals.

You can also make sopa de conchas with macaroni or any other type of shaped pasta you like.

When cooking tender pasta shells, it’s important to not overcook them.

Toppings

The rest of the ingredients can be tailored to your liking.

Try adding in something new like diced bell peppers, olives, serrano pepper, red pepper flakes, avocado, or jalapeños to add some extra flavor.

Top sopa de conchas with fresh basil leaves, lime juice or lemon juice, and crumbled queso fresco cheese for an added layer of texture and flavor.

The next time you make this hearty soup you can add in the remaining ingredients for an additional cost.

Tips for Making Sopa De Conchas

The great thing about this traditional dish is that it’s easy to make and can be changed to fit your tastes. To get the best sopa, follow these tips:

• Start with a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
• For added flavor, sauté your onions, garlic, and other ingredients before adding in the sopa.
• Don’t overcook pasta shells as they will become mushy and lose their desired texture. It’s best to cook on medium-high heat.
• Add in your choice of proteins, such as ground beef or chicken bouillon cubes, and cook on a lower heat.
• Add in fresh vegetables and herbs to customize sopa based on your own preferences.
• A low simmer should be used to help sopa develop its flavor.
• Top sopa de conchas with queso fresco cheese, avocado, and extra lime juice for a zesty finish.

A similar recipe to this is chicken noodle soup and a fideo recipe, which is also budget-friendly, delicious, and perfect for those chilly days.

Final Thoughts

Sopa de conchas is a family favorite Mexican sopa that makes for a budget-friendly and comforting meal.

It’s the perfect dish to try out new recipes with, as it uses basic pantry staples like pasta shells, tomatoes, and spices.

With just a little bit of time and effort, you can make sopa de conchas that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Enjoy sopa de conchas with warm tortillas, a cold beer, and your favorite salsas for a perfect Mexican meal.

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