Description
Creamy mac and cheese soup blends comfort food classics into one hearty bowl. Cheese-lovers will savor rich flavors and discover a simple, soul-warming meal you can enjoy with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Crispy bacon bits (optional)
- Chopped green onions (optional)
- Additional cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat a spacious pot over medium flame with olive oil. Sauté onions until translucent, then quickly introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrant essence to permeate the base.
- Roux Creation: Dust the aromatic mixture with flour, whisking continuously to craft a golden, smooth thickening agent that will provide the soup’s luxurious texture.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually pour broth and milk, blending in Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until seasonings meld harmoniously, creating a unified flavor profile.
- Pasta Infusion: Increase heat to a gentle simmer, adding pasta to the bubbling liquid. Allow noodles to cook and absorb surrounding flavors, stirring intermittently to prevent clumping.
- Cheese Melding: Reduce heat and fold in cheddar and Parmesan, creating a rich, creamy consistency. Adjust thickness with additional milk or broth as needed, ensuring a smooth, velvety texture.
- Serving Flourish: Transfer the creamy soup into serving bowls. Optionally garnish with crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or an extra cheese sprinkle to elevate the final presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Roux Lumps: Whisk flour continuously and add liquid gradually to ensure a smooth, lump-free base for the soup’s creamy texture.
- Control Pasta Cooking: Stir pasta occasionally and monitor cooking time to prevent overcooking, maintaining ideal al dente texture without turning mushy.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese, stirring gently to prevent separation and achieve a silky, even melted consistency.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, use gluten-free pasta, and select lactose-free cheese for accommodating different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg