Try this delicious, creamy, and hearty Pork Macaroni Sopas (Filipino Soup) recipe that will surely keep you warm and cozy during cold and rainy days! This Filipino noodle soup is loaded with chunks of pork, macaroni, vegetables, and flavorful broth for the best comfort food.
What can be more savory, comforting, and satisfying than a warm bowl of pork macaroni soup on chilly days? This creamy soup is my ultimate must-have during cold seasons. It brings warmth and comfort to every bowl!
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INGREDIENTS and SUBSTITUTION
- Elbow macaroni noodles -
- Pork Belly - You can use a different cut of pork such as pork shoulder, pork loin, and pork chops. Be sure to slice them in cubed sizes.
- Cooking oil - I always use neutral oil such as avocado oil or olive oil.
- Butter - to make it taste better and add flavor.
- Garlic and Onion - Flavorful aromatics that add delicious flavor to soups.
- Vegetable Broth - Use the chicken stock from cooking the chicken. I use my homemade broth but you can use store-bought chicken broth for convenience.
- Cabagge - Shredded or thinly chopped.
- Carrots - you can slice it in dice, or thinly like a matchstick.
- Celery - Sliced thinly.
- Evaporated Milk - This adds tons of flavor and creaminess to pork sopas. You can also use evaporated milk to make this delicious and creamy chicken macaroni soup.
- Fish Sauce - Main salt seasoning.
- Salt and pepper - Season with salt and pepper to taste accordingly.
Instructions
Step 1. In a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, saute onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Optional: 2 tablespoons of butter adds extra flavor and I highly recommend it.
Step 2. Add the cubed pork belly, a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until it turns slightly brown. Stir occasionally to cook evenly. For optimal flavor of the pork, seared them on high heat for a few minutes. It should look light to golden brown.
Step 3. Pour the vegetable broth and fish sauce. Bring it to a gentle boil. Simmer the pork until it is tender.
Step 4. Add the elbow macaroni to the Dutch oven and cook until it turns al dente. The macaroni pasta absorbs the flavors of the broth while adding texture to each spoonful. Feel free to adjust the amount of pasta based on your preference – some like it more noodle-heavy while others prefer it more soupy.
Step 5. Add the shredded cabbage, sliced carrots, and celery. Common choices include bell peppers, peas, corn kernels, and diced potatoes. These colorful additions not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide essential nutrients. Allow them to cook until tender but still slightly firm for added texture.
Step 6. Pour the evaporated milk, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat.
To serve, ladle soup in individual bowls. Sprinkle chopped green onions and crispy garlic if desired. Serve and enjoy while it's hot!
Variations
- Protein - You can use chicken or beef instead of pork as a protein choice to make this dish. You can also try adding crispy fried tofu if you are vegan or vegetarian.
- Vegetables - Add your favorite vegetables for more textures and flavors.
- Creamy - You can use heavy whipping cream instead of evaporated milk a thicker and creamier dish.
- Other add-in ingredients - Some people also like adding chopped hotdogs for an extra burst of flavor, although this is optional.
Why I think You Will Love This Recipe
It's a one-pot meal. It makes clean-up time faster and simpler.
It is simple and easy to make. There are just a few steps with minimal ingredients you may already have in your kitchen to make this recipe.
Perfect for a meal prepping. Cooking larger batches that will last a whole week to save time.
Delicious, creamy, and flavorful soup for the whole family. I can have this for breakfast, lunch, and, dinner and snacks too.
This Filipino favorite is a creamy soup made with tender chunks of pork, mixed vegetables, pasta shells, and various seasonings. It's a perfect meal option that will warm your soul on cold winter nights or any time you crave something satisfying.
Storage and reheating tips
Refrigerator - If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely and store them in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezer - Allow to completely cool. You can store it in an air-tight glass container for up to 3 months. Leave 1 inch on the top of the container and cover it with a lid. Thaw in the fridge overnight until it reaches room temperature.
Reheat - To reheat the pork sopas, transfer it to a saucepan. Add some water if it's too dry. Turn to low heat. Stir frequently until warmed through. Enjoy!
Questions and Answers
Sopas is a Filipino/tagalog term for "soup". The traditional sopas recipe is a combination of elbow macaroni noodles, vegetables, milk, and chicken. We love adding different vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and celery but you can add extra vegetables that you prefer.
Serve this with a bowl of rice, pandesal (Filipino Bread Roll), and pair it with Filipino cucumber salad or pickled cherry tomatoes.
Helpful Tips
- The macaroni noodles will soak up more liquid while it cools. Add more water when reheating may needed if it dries out.
- You can add cooked meat such as shredded chicken and minced beef into the dish at the end of the cooking process. You simply need to warm them thoroughly since they are already cooked.
Different Cooking Methods
Different families have different cooking methods for this dish. These are some of the methods they use:
- Some people cook macaroni noodles separately.
- Many people diced their vegetables instead of slicing them thinly.
- Others brown their meat before adding the garlic and onions.
- You may want to add a bouillon cube instead of broth or stock for added depth of flavor.
Recommended
Pork Macaroni Sopas (Filipino Soup)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium yellow or white sliced onion diced
- 1 pound pork belly cut in cubes
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles
- 7 cups vegetable broth or beef broth
- 2 medium carrots julienned
- 1 cup celery sliced thin
- 4 cups cabbage shredded
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, saute onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Optional: 2 tablespoons of butter adds extra flavor and I highly recommend it.
- Add the cubed pork belly, a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until it turns slightly brown. Stir occasionally to cook evenly.
- Pour the vegetable broth and fish sauce. Bring it to a gentle boil. Simmer the pork until it is tender.
- Add the elbow macaroni to the Dutch oven and cook until it turns al dente. The macaroni pasta absorbs the flavors of the broth while adding texture to each spoonful.
- Add the shredded cabbage, sliced carrots, and celery. Common choices include bell peppers, peas, corn kernels, and diced potatoes.
- Pour the evaporated milk, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat.
Video
Notes
Recipe Notes:
- If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely and store them in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- To reheat the pork sopas, transfer it to a saucepan. Add some water if it's too dry. Turn to low heat. Stir frequently until warmed through. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Nora
I love your chicken macaroni soup - looks easy to make and delicious!!! I’ll definitely be making this soon!
Jomelyn
You will be going to love and enjoy it for sure. Thank you for visiting.