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Home » Recipes » Mexican » Sopa de Coditos

Sopa de Coditos

Last Updated November 9, 2021. Originally Posted April 20, 2021 By Maggie Unzueta

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

Sopa de Coditos is a classic Mexican soup. It’s made up of toasted elbow pasta swimming in a savory tomato sauce. Full of delicious flavors and comforting goodness.
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A bowl full of Sopa de Coditos next to sliced serranos and green cilantro.

A bowl full of Sopa de Coditos next to sliced serranos and green cilantro.

Sopa de Coditos is a Mexican childhood favorite.

We have several names for this soup. Among them, you’ll hear “sopita” or “sopa de codo.”

They all refer to this comforting and satisfying elbow pasta soup.

I can almost guarantee you that there is a Mexican mom RIGHT NOW making this soup.

The ingredients necessary to make the soup laid out.

Ingredients

There are other traditional Mexican pasta soups like Sopa de Fideo, Sopa de Estrellitas, Sopa de Letras, and Sopa de Conchas.

They’re all very similar. The main difference is the type of pasta used.

In this case, “Coditos” in English means “little elbows.”

That’s why elbow macaroni pasta is a MUST to make Sopa de Coditos.

A collage showing how to make homemade tomato sauce.

How to Make It

  • Start by making the tomato sauce.
  • Add the tomatoes, garlic, onion, salt, and water to a blender.
  • Blend until smooth.

Set this aside until ready to use.

We are making homemade tomato sauce, but you can also use a can of tomato sauce. Use an extra 1 cup of water if using a canned tomato sauce.

For those of you who like it spicy, add 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the blender. It adds a nice kick that’s not too overpowering.

A pot with a cooking spoon toasting the elbow macaroni.

  • Heat oil in a large stock pot.
  • Add the pasta and stir constantly.

Pro Tip:

Do not stop stirring, or you can burn the pasta. If you do end up burning the pasta, you will need to start over.

Stir until the pasta has turned a deep golden brown color.

This is the same pasta we use to make Ensalada de Coditos.

A collage showing how to make the soup.

  • Add the carrots and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the tomato sauce, some of the water, and broth.

How to prevent the liquid from soaking up?
Any pasta soup gets dry quickly because the pasta absorbs the liquid.

To prevent this, save 1 cup of water (or broth) until right before serving. Pour in at the very end, stir, and serve the soup IMMEDIATELY.

A hand holding a small bowl of diced calabacitas over a pot of soup.

  • Bring the soup to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add the calabacitas.
  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Calabacitas is a type of Mexican squash. Any type of squash will get mushy if cooked too long. That’s why we’re adding it at the end.

Other Veggies You Can Add:


Broccoli
Peas
Green Beans
Cauliflower

A spoon holding sopa de coditos over a bowl.

You’ll see some people serve this with sour cream or queso fresco.

To make it spicier, you can also had a few slices of jalapeno or serrano pepper.

You’re going to LOVE a big bowl of this Sopa de Coditos. Comforting, satisfying, and oh so tasty.

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

A bowl full of Sopa de Coditos next to sliced serranos and green cilantro.

Sopa de Coditos

Sopa de Coditos is a classic Mexican soup. It’s made up of toasted elbow pasta swimming in a savory tomato sauce. Full of delicious flavors and comforting goodness.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 387kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 3 tomatoes chopped
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/4 onion
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 cup water (for blending)
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 lb elbow macaroni (or 8 oz)
  • 1 carrot peeled and diced
  • 6 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 calabacita diced
  • 1 cup water (for the end)

Instructions

  • Add the tomatoes, garlic, onion, salt, and 1 cup water in a blender.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Set aside until ready to use.
  • Heat olive oil in a large stock pot.
  • Add the elbow macaroni.
  • Do not stop stirring.
  • Toast until golden brown.
  • Add the carrot.
  • Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the broth.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the calabacita.
  • Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of water.
  • Stir and serve immediately.

Notes

How to prevent the liquid from soaking up?
To prevent this, save 1 cup of water (or broth) until right before serving. Pour in at the very end, stir, and serve the soup immediately.
No vegetable broth? Swap out for chicken broth. 
If using canned tomato sauce, use an additional 1 cup of water. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 3183mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4165IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

Filed Under: Mexican, Recipes, Soups, 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. Julia

    April 23, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Thanks! Hope you try it

      Reply
  2. Kim Guzman

    April 23, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, that looks great. It’s so rainy and I’ve got a chill. This will be perfect comfort food that I’m going to throw together tonight.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Hope you like it as much as I do!

      Reply
  3. Chef Dennis

    April 23, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    5 stars
    Hmmm yum! The flavor of this Sopa de Coditos is satisfying!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:20 am

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  4. Jere Cassidy

    April 23, 2021 at 8:47 pm

    5 stars
    This soup sounds delicious. Toasting the macaroni sounds interesting, gotta try this myself.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:20 am

      It’s delicious! Hope you try it

      Reply
  5. Nora

    April 23, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    This soup looks great! Have to try it out soon!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Thank you! Hope you do

      Reply
  6. Amy

    April 24, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    5 stars
    My daughter loves anything with macaroni and this was a hit!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:19 am

      So glad you and your daughter enjoyed this!

      Reply
  7. Freya

    April 25, 2021 at 12:00 am

    5 stars
    These look absolutely divine!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 11:18 am

      Thank you! Glad you liked it

      Reply
  8. Nayomi

    April 26, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    This soups sounds so flavorful and tasty.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      April 27, 2021 at 10:00 am

      It really is! Hope you try it

      Reply
  9. Ksenia

    April 29, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    5 stars
    This comforting soup sounds so delicious and simple! It’s easy preparation is only one factor in why it’s so appealing. I just got over a sickness, and I wish I had seen this sooner because I think it would’ve made my healing faster!

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      May 3, 2021 at 11:08 am

      Glad to hear you’re feeling better. Hope you remember this soup next time you’re feeling under the weather.

      Reply

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iBienvenidos! I'm Maggie. Welcome to my blog! My passion is authentic Mexican food and traveling throughout Mexico to bring you the very BEST in culture and cuisine.

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