Creamy Mac Cheese Soup

Love classic comfort dishes? This Cheesy Pasta Soup turns your fave mac and cheese into a warm, dreamy bowl of deliciousness. It mixes soft pasta with deep cheese flavors for the yummiest way to enjoy this comfort classic!

What You'll Need

• Chicken Stock or Broth: Creates the soup foundation with its rich taste, keeping everything smooth and well-balanced.
• Elbow Macaroni (raw): Traditional pasta shape that gets tender right in the broth, soaking up all the yummy flavors.
• Butter: Gives that extra richness and works with flour to make everything nice and creamy.
• All-Purpose Flour: Makes our soup thick and velvety by forming a smooth cheese base.
• Minced Garlic: Brings a hint of fragrance that makes the cheese taste even better.
• Milk: Works together with broth to make the perfect creamy base for all that cheesy goodness.
• Cream Cheese (spreadable): Thickens everything up and adds a bit of tang that works great with the other cheeses.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar: The star cheese that melts beautifully and gives that classic cheesy kick.
• Shredded Swiss Cheese: Adds something extra with its nutty flavor that works magic with the sharper cheddar.
• Onion Powder: Boosts the savory taste without fighting with all that cheese flavor.
• Dry Mustard Powder: Gives a subtle warmth that really brings out the best in cheddar cheese.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that tie all the flavors together just right.

How To Make It

Step 1:

Boil your chicken broth in a medium pot. Toss in the macaroni and cook until it's just right, following the package timing. Keep all that tasty broth in the pot.

Step 2:

While your pasta's cooking, grab another pan and melt the butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour with a whisk and let it cook for a minute so it doesn't taste raw.

Step 3:

Throw in the garlic and stir until you can smell its goodness, about half a minute. Pour in the milk bit by bit, whisking the whole time so everything stays smooth with no lumps.

Step 4:

Mix in onion powder, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Keep cooking and whisking until everything gets nice and thick. Let it bubble gently for a minute.

Step 5:

Turn down the heat a little and add your cream cheese, cheddar, and Swiss. Whisk until all the cheese melts completely and you've got a thick, smooth sauce.

Step 6:

Now that your pasta's done, dump it and all that chicken broth into your cheese mixture. Mix everything well so it all comes together into a smooth, creamy soup.

Step 7:

Warm it up over medium heat for about 3 minutes until it's nice and hot. Give it a taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Throw some extra cheese and parsley on top if you want before you dig in.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

• Enjoy while it's hot with extra cheese sprinkled on top and some fresh parsley for a pop of color.
• A chunk of crusty bread or a simple green salad makes this a complete meal.
• Keep any leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
• When reheating, do it slowly on the stove, stirring often. Add a splash of milk or broth if it's gotten too thick.

Smart Ideas

• Want a smoky kick? Add a bit of smoked paprika or use smoked cheddar cheese.
• Gruyère works great instead of Swiss if you want something nuttier and richer.
• A few drops of hot sauce or some red pepper flakes can give this a nice little heat bump.

Pro Chef Advice

• Alton Brown says to whisk your cheese sauce really well if you want it super smooth without any lumps.
• Rachael Ray likes mixing different melty cheeses together for more interesting flavor.
• Martha Stewart recommends adding your seasonings little by little and tasting as you go.

What Makes This So Good

• You get all that mac and cheese comfort in a form you can eat with a spoon.
• It comes together fast, making it perfect for busy nights or lazy weekends.
• The deep cheesy taste hits all those mac and cheese cravings without much work.

Mix It Up

• Try small pasta shapes like shells or ditalini instead of elbows.
• Throw in some steamed broccoli or spinach for color and healthiness.
• Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces on top for extra crunch and flavor.