Description
Hearty mac and cheese soup delivers ultimate comfort in a bowl. Cheese-laden noodles mingle with rich broth, promising warmth that wraps you in culinary contentment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 4 ounces (113 grams) spreadable cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or additional cheddar cheese)
- 4–5 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 cup milk
Cooking Base Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta broth by bringing chicken broth to a rolling boil in a medium pot. Add elbow macaroni and cook until tender, approximately 8-10 minutes, maintaining the broth without draining.
- Create a roux foundation by melting butter in a separate saucepan. Incorporate flour and whisk continuously for one minute to eliminate raw flour flavor.
- Introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, approximately 30 seconds. Gradually stream milk into the mixture, whisking consistently to ensure a smooth consistency.
- Enhance the sauce with onion powder, dry mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Allow to boil for precisely one minute.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and integrate cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and Swiss cheese. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform texture.
- Merge the cooked pasta and reserved broth into the cheese mixture. Stir gently to combine and heat through for 3 minutes at medium temperature.
- Evaluate the seasoning, adjusting with additional salt and pepper as needed. Embellish with complementary cheese sprinkles and fresh parsley for visual appeal and enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Avoid overcooking the elbow macaroni to maintain a perfect al dente texture that holds up well in the creamy soup.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Allow cheeses to melt slowly over medium-low heat to prevent separation and ensure a silky, smooth consistency.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the soup celiac-friendly without compromising the rich, creamy texture.
- Flavor Boost: Experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika, cayenne, or crispy bacon bits to elevate the soup’s depth and complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg