This is an extra thick and creamy cheese soup filled with elbow macaroni and three kinds of cheese. This recipe is easy enough for every day and makes a great meatless meal but chunks of ham or chicken can be added.
A Creamy Cheesy Soup
This velvety smooth soup recipe is a new twist on an old favorite, with plenty of fresh cheddar, Swiss, and cream cheese and even room for add-ins! Affordable and easy to make, mac and cheese soup is a cold-weather favorite that everyone loves! This soup makes a great meatless meal but feel free to add in leftover ham chunks, cooked chicken, bacon, or pulled pork for a soup version of pulled pork mac and cheese! Serve it with some freshly baked cheesy breadsticks or some fluffy dinner rolls ready in 30 minutes! Top it with crumbled bacon, crostini, or some crispy onions!
Ingredients in Mac & Cheese Soup
This cheese soup is “all about that base”! Extra rich and creamy it starts with a roux and then milk and cream cheese are added. Onion powder and dry mustard give the base a lot of flavor so don’t skip them! Swirl in a little beer for a beer cheese variation – choose a lager or a porter. Choose bold cheeses like cheddar and swiss cheese, they pair well together and melt easily. Feel free to use portions of Monterey Jack, Colby, and for a little Southwestern heat, some shredded Peperoncino is a tangy white cheese studded with red pepper flakes. Just like the boxed kind, elbow macaroni noodles are the favorite but small shells are a close second. Since this mac and cheese is up-leveled, any pasta will do! Penne, rotini, shells, and even orzo are perfect for mac and cheese soup! The pasta is cooked in chicken broth for extra flavor!
Variations
ADD-INS Mac and cheese soup is perfect as is, but it’s also perfect for using up leftovers like mushrooms, roasted cauliflower, tomatoes, grilled or caramelized onions, or potatoes. Or go for diced chili peppers or a can of Rotel tomatoes! It’s a new recipe every time! MAKE IT NEXT LEVEL and place it in ceramic bowls or crocks and top with cheese, broil it like you would a French onion soup. Oh yes please!! Or, top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs and broil for a crunchy topping!
How to Make Mac and Cheese Soup
Cooking homemade Macaroni and Cheese Soup has just three easy steps:
Storing Leftover Soup
Keep leftover mac and cheese soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop. Freeze mac and cheese soup in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside up to 8 weeks. Reheat as above.
More Creamy Soups
Cream of Onion Soup – so rich & creamy Chicken Stew Cauliflower Potato Soup – budget-friendly Beer Cheese Soup Cheesy Potato Soup Chicken Gnocchi Soup – so flavorful Butternut Squash Soup
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