Traditional Mexican Concha Shell Soup with Ground Beef (Sopa de Conchitas con Carne Molida)

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

shell pasta

🥗Healthier: whole wheat shell pasta

💰Cheaper: elbow macaroni

Whole wheat pasta offers more fiber, while elbow macaroni can be cheaper.

Cut 3 tomatoes in half and add to the blender with 1/4 white onion, 1 small piece of serrano pepper, 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon tomato bouillon, 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon, and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.

Heat a medium-high pan and add 1 pound of ground beef. Cook until browned and broken down.

Add 1/4 white onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the beef, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until fried, about 5 minutes.

Set the cooked meat aside.

In a pot set to medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil and heat.

Add a 7 ounce bag of conchitas to the pot and fry until golden.

Add 1 potato cut into smaller pieces and fry for about 1 minute.

Pour in the salsa mixture from the blender and mix well.

Add 4 cups of boiling water and check for seasoning, adding more chicken bouillon or salt if needed.

Add 1 carrot to the pot and remove excess oil from the meat before adding it back in. Stir to combine.

Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, add a small bunch of cilantro and cover again, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.

Serve hot.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: