5.0 from 132 votes
Mac and Cheese Soup
Creamy and delicious mac & cheese soup is loaded with 3 kinds of cheese.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 518 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Appetizer , Soup , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups chicken broth or stock, see note
- 1 ¼ cup elbow macaroni uncooked
Cheese Base
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup milk
- 4 ounces spreadable cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese or additional cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, per the time indicated on the package. Do not drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a separate saucepan and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in milk a little at a time until smooth. Stir in seasonings and cook over medium heat while whisking until thick and bubbly. Let boil for about 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in cream cheese and shredded cheeses. Whisk until smooth; the mixture will be thick.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add along with the chicken broth into the cheese mixture. Stir to combine. Heat over medium heat about 3 minutes or until hot.
- Taste and season with salt & pepper if desired. Garnish with additional cheese and parsley to taste.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Start with 4 cups of chicken broth. Depending on the brand of pasta, you may need a little bit more. The soup will thicken as is cools so more broth can be added if desired.
- Any small pasta can be used in this recipe.
- Shred your own cheeses, pre-shredded cheeses do not melt as well.
- This recipe calls for spreadable cream cheese as it melts easier. If you have block cream cheese, add it once the milk is thickened before adding the cheddar and simmer until smooth. You can use a hand blender if needed.
- Flavored spreadable cream cheese (such as herb and garlic) works well in this recipe.
- Add ham, shredded chicken, or smoked sausage if desired.
Nutrition Information
Calories
518
(26%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
32g
(49%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
97mg
(32%)
Sodium
773mg
(32%)
Potassium
431mg
(12%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1073IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
430mg
(43%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 518
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 518 | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 773mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 431mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1073IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 430mg | 43% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.