Fideo with Potatoes and Ground Beef

A hearty Mexican-style noodle dish made with toasty fideo pasta, savory ground beef, and soft potatoes simmered in a flavorful tomato broth.

Fideo with Potatoes and Ground Beef is a warm, budget-friendly comfort dish rooted in traditional Mexican cooking. Toasted fideo pasta (short, thin noodles), browned ground beef, and diced potatoes are simmered together in a tomato-based sauce. It’s cozy, filling, and ready in under 40 minutes — a perfect one-pan meal for busy weeknights or cool-weather dinners.

Ingredients:

1 (7 oz) package of fideo pasta (or broken vermicelli)

1 lb (450 g) ground beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

3 cups chicken or beef broth

1 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp chili powder (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or canola)

Optional garnish: chopped cilantro, lime wedges, or shredded cheese

Instructions:

Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and no longer pink.

Drain excess fat if needed, then add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook until softened (about 3 minutes).

Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.

Toast the Fideo
Push the meat mixture to one side.

Add cooking oil and the fideo pasta. Toast it for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown.

Add Potatoes and Sauce
Stir in the diced potatoes.

Add the tomato sauce and broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Bring to a simmer.

Simmer and Serve
Reduce heat to medium-low.

Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes and noodles are tender.

Adjust seasoning if needed. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions
Serve with warm flour tortillas, lime wedges, or a sprinkle of cheddar or Cotija cheese.

A side of refried beans or grilled corn makes a full meal.