Sopa De Conchas (Printable)
Comforting Mexican shell pasta in a flavorful tomato broth, ready in just 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 cup small shell pasta (conchas)
→ Vegetables & Base
02 - 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
03 - 1/4 small white onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic
05 - 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
06 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Seasonings
07 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
→ Garnishes
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
11 - 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine the tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a blender and puree until completely smooth.
02 - Heat the vegetable oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the shell pasta and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Pour the blended tomato mixture through a fine mesh strainer directly into the pot with the toasted pasta. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
04 - Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the salt, black pepper, and cumin. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the broth has slightly thickened.
06 - Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Toasting the pasta before adding liquid gives every spoonful a nutty depth most people never expect from a simple soup.
- The whole thing comes together in about half an hour, which makes it the best kind of weeknight comfort food.
02 -
- Do not skip toasting the pasta because that one step is what keeps the shells from turning into mush and gives the broth its signature flavor.
- Straining the tomato blend removes the skins and seeds that can make the soup gritty and bitter.
03 -
- If your tomatoes are not very ripe, add a small pinch of sugar to the blender to balance the acidity.
- Stir the pasta constantly while toasting because even thirty seconds of distraction can take it from golden to burnt.