Dice the tomato, thin-slice the onion, and mince the garlic. Set aside.

In a large sauté pan or pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the fideo and brown evenly, stirring often—this builds great flavor and color.

Add the diced tomato, half of the sliced onion, and minced garlic to the browned fideo. Stir briefly. Pour in enough water to cover ingredients and toss in the bouillon cubes.

Once the liquid comes to a boil, stir in potatoes. Separately, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, then add it to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender—about 20 minutes or so. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

When potatoes are soft and fideo cooked through, taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately.