Description
This easy Mexican star soup, or sopa de estrellas, is made with toasted star-shaped pasta simmered in a simple homemade tomato broth. Make it on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium red onion, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth, divided
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 (7-ounce) package stelline or star-shaped pasta
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- Add the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, and about 1 cup of the broth to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden.
- Carefully pour in the tomato mixture and remaining broth. Season with salt and stir well.
- Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Taste and add more salt if needed. Let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, and about 1 cup of the broth to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Select the Sauté setting on the Instant Pot. Add the olive oil and pasta, then cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden.
- Pour in a small amount of the remaining broth and scrape the bottom of the pot thoroughly.
- Add the tomato mixture, remaining broth, and salt. Stir well.
- Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Carefully perform a controlled quick release. Open the lid, stir, and let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Stir the pasta frequently while toasting because it can burn quickly.
- The soup thickens as it sits. Add more broth when reheating if needed.
- Use vegetable broth to keep the recipe vegetarian.
- Add shredded chicken, corn, peas, carrots, or zucchini for a heartier soup.
- Nutrition will vary depending on the pasta and broth used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking, Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 291 kcal