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    Home » Recipes » Mexican » Mexican Star Soup (or Sopa de Estrellitas)

    Mexican Star Soup (or Sopa de Estrellitas)

    Last Updated August 11, 2022. Originally Posted September 7, 2017 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is comfort food at its best. This traditional and easy recipe is the reason cooking at home is the best.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is comfort food at its best. This traditional and easy recipe is the reason cooking at home is the best.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    You know how certain foods can bring up specific memories?

    If you’re Mexican, chances are that you were raised eating Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup. Every Mexican mom makes it.

    Whenever I eat it, I’m instantly transported back to my childhood. I remember my mom and my abuelita.

    No fancy stoves with self timers. No refrigerator that played music or had built-in TVs. Their kitchens were humble, but there, they created the most amazing foods.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen


    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, starts with fresh tomatoes.

    Don’t these beautiful, ripe tomatoes look delicious?

    If tomatoes aren’t in season, or they don’t look particularly good at the store: Use 1 – 8oz can of tomato sauce and 8 cups of chicken broth so it won’t be as tomato-y.

    The soup will taste just as delicious.

    Chopped tomatoes and chopped onions in a blender.

    Place the tomatoes and the onion in a blender. Add the chicken broth and blend until smooth.

    If you do not have chicken broth, you can substitute with chicken bouillon and water.

    To make this completely vegan and vegetarian, you vegetable broth.

    What’s up with all the Chicken Bouillon in Mexican recipes?

    Here’s the deal. We use chicken bouillon a lot in Mexican cooking.

    Our grandmothers cooked with it, and that’s why we use it.

    If you are unfamiliar with chicken bouillon, use it like salt.

    They have healthier, all natural chicken bouillons now at the stores.

    Tomato sauce in a blender.

    I have several batches of this tomato sauce in the freezer.

    I make a large batch then divide them into small freezer bags. When I am making soup, I pull one out and defrost it.

    Little time savers like that make home cooking easier.

    Can you freeze Sopa de Estrellas (Mexican Star Soup)?

    Yes.

    However, it only last 1-2 months, and the texture of the pasta will very soft.
    To do this: Cool the soup completely, then add to freezer bag removing as much of the air as possible.

    This soup lasts 3-5 days in the fridge.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    “Estrella” means “star” in Spanish.

    If you can’t find this star pasta with all the other pastas, look for it in the Hispanic / Mexican section.

    It’s usually very inexpensive (unlike getting a Hollywood Boulevard star).

    This Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is perfect for feeding big families. We have big families in Mexico.

    My father is one of 10 children. My mom is one of 6 children. “Be fruitful and multiply” was taken seriously. No joke.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    The most important step to making Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is for you to toast the pasta.

    This means, don’t leave the stove.

    Stir the pasta constantly or it will burn.

    After all, no one wants their soup to taste like burned yuckiness.

    When you see the pasta turn a golden color, then move onto the next step.

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    I’m giving you the most basic recipe for Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup. Be creative and add all kinds of stuff.

    Ingredients you can add to Mexican Star Soup (or Sopa de Estrellitas):

    Leftover chicken
    Green beans
    peas and carrots
    Mushrooms
    Calabacitas
    Broccoli
    Queso Panela (add this at the very end)

    All of these suggestions would make great additions to the soup!

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Toppings are completely optional. Most of the time, I was given a bowl of soup and never really added anything except for cheese or sour cream every once in a while.

    A few toppings ideas:
    Chopped Cilantro
    Crumbled Queso fresco
    Strips of dried chile de arbol or chile ancho
    Sour cream

    You can also add a few slices of jalapeño to add heat to the soup.

    This simple recipe is a Mexican classic. A favorite comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking.

    Hope you and your family enjoy!

    A ladle holding Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, over a stockpot.

    Mexican Star Soup (or Sopa de Estrellitas)

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is comfort food at its best. This traditional and easy recipe is the reason cooking at home is the best.
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 4 minutes
    Cook Time: 14 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 161kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 3 tomatoes
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 star pasta package
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ onion diced
    • 6 cups chicken broth
    • 1 tbsp Salt

    Instructions

    • In a blender add the tomatoes, garlic, and some of the chicken broth (just enough to blend everything).
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Set aside.
    • In a stock pot, heat the olive oil.
    • Add the pasta, stirring constantly.
    • When the pasta turns golden brown, add the onions.
    • Stir for 1 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
    • Immediately add the tomato mixture and the remaining chicken broth.
    • Taste for salt.
    • Cover and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat and let simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, or until pasta is soft.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    If tomatoes aren’t in season, or they don’t look particularly good at the store: Use 1 8oz can of tomato sauce and 8 cups chicken broth. 
    Can you Freeze the Soup? Yes. However, it only last 1-2 months, and the texture of the pasta will very soft.
    To do this: Cool the soup completely, then add to freezer bag removing as much of the air as possible.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 3040mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 768IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Sopa de Estrellitas, or Mexican Star Soup, is a Mexican food classic. A bowl of Mexican comfort food that reminds us why nothing is better than home cooking. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen


    More Mexican Soup Recipes:

    Slow cooker Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef Stew
    Caldillo Durangueño
    Caldo de Res, or Mexican Beef Soup
    Carne en Su Jugo
    Sopa de Conchas
    Mexican Fish Soup, or Caldo de Pescado
    How to Make Pozole Rojo
    Roasted Poblano Corn Soup
    Mexican Lentil Soup, or Sopa de Lentejas
    Caldo de Verduras, or Mexican Vegetable Soup
    Sopa de Habas
    Caldo de Pollo, or Mexican Chicken Soup
    Caldo de Camarón (Mexican Shrimp Soup)
    Sopa de Letras or Mexican Alphabet Soup

    Filed Under: Lunch Recipes, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley - Forking Up

      September 7, 2017 at 9:17 am

      This looks so tasty and comforting, like what your mom would make you when you’re sick. Adorable stars!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2017 at 11:07 am

        Exactly! My mom would make me this soup when I was sick.

        Reply
    2. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife

      September 7, 2017 at 6:07 pm

      Looks delicious. Love the stars. So cute!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2017 at 11:06 am

        Thank you. I love the little stars 🙂

        Reply
    3. Magaly

      September 7, 2017 at 7:02 pm

      I saw the picture and was immediately transported to my childhood! Raised on sopa de estrellitas and, as a little girl, my daughter would ask my mom to make it for her all the time! (Cus, you know, no one cooks as amazingly as tita). Thanks for sharing this easy and tasty treasure with the world:)

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2017 at 11:06 am

        Awww… that’s so sweet. Glad it recalled some good memories. 🙂

        Reply
        • Cheryl Clevenger

          March 7, 2023 at 4:46 pm

          5 stars
          I made this today. My mother-in-law is from Mexico and I remember seeing those cute little packages of star pasta in her pantry. My family loves this simple soup.

        • Maggie Unzueta

          March 28, 2023 at 8:57 am

          I’m glad that you and your family enjoyed the soup. It’s a classic comfort food in Mexican households and definitely brings back good memories.

    4. Mary

      September 8, 2017 at 9:31 am

      I can’t wait for it to cool off around here so I can start making soups again. This one looks delicious. I remember my mom would make this star shaped pasta when I was young, I forgot all about it until I saw your post.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2017 at 11:04 am

        Isn’t that funny? I do the same thing. I forget about a dish, then it pops up out of nowhere. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Brittany

      September 9, 2017 at 4:08 am

      5 stars
      Just started following your blog and loved seeing this pop up in my email. Yay to memories and great classic recipes.

      Thankyou

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 9, 2017 at 11:03 am

        Thank you! Can’t go wrong with a classic recipe.

        Reply
    6. Kathy Pollock

      July 19, 2018 at 12:13 pm

      This soup is delicious and so easy to make. It packs a lot of flavor with a few simple ingredients. I make it all the time.

      Reply
    7. Psyche

      September 7, 2018 at 10:21 pm

      5 stars
      Just bought some packs of estrellas and alphabets I’m glad this recipe is on here I can’t wait to make so.e for my son ?

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 11, 2018 at 4:13 pm

        Hope your son likes it. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Alexis

      October 10, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      4 stars
      Hi. I see in the recipe description with pictures, it says to blend the onions but in the actual recipe it doesn’t say to blend the onions but to cook it with the noodles… I’m so confused!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        October 10, 2019 at 4:46 pm

        So sorry for the confusion! Either way is fine. If I make this for my son, he prefers no onions. I blend them in the sauce, and he never knows the difference. If I make it for me and my hubby, it’s ok to cook the onions with the noodles. So, really, it’s up to you. Whatever you prefer.

        Reply
    9. Richard

      December 3, 2019 at 8:10 am

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to make this. PS there are a lot of typos. Example:
      “To make this completely vegan and vegetarian, you vegetable broth.”
      should be:
      “To make this completely vegan and vegetarian, use vegetable broth.”

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 23, 2022 at 10:30 am

        Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    10. Claudster

      June 24, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      Hi!

      I just made this. It came out delicious. Added extra garlic. Didn’t have chicken broth but had some Mazola caldo de pollo powder , just threw in about 2 tblsp along with 3 water bottles and it came out great.
      Thank you.

      Reply
      • Patricia Ramos

        June 30, 2020 at 3:50 pm

        I’m so glad you liked it. Sounds really yummy!

        Reply
    11. Biviana Enriquez

      June 5, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      5 stars
      A taste from my childhood. Absolutely delicious! Im so happy to share it now with my own kids. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 20, 2021 at 8:37 am

        Aww… that made me smile. I love passing on our traditions and foods.

        Reply
    12. Nes

      December 18, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this today and we loved it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        December 19, 2021 at 8:18 am

        That’s wonderful. Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    13. Lin

      January 24, 2022 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderful! Tastes just like i remember it. I live in Asia and can’t get star pasta but i used small macaroni and it worked well! Delicious and so needed in a country with no authentic mexican restaurants in site 😂

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm

        Glad you enjoyed this recipe.

        Reply

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