Andy Montoya
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved comfort food worldwide, but can it be transformed into a soup? The answer is yes! Macaroni and cheese soup is a real thing and it combines two of the greatest comfort foods. This soup is creamy, decadent, and cheesy, and can be topped with crispy bacon for the ultimate comfort food. There are several recipes for macaroni and cheese soup, and it can be made with leftover macaroni and cheese or with uncooked macaroni. It can also be made vegan by using vegan butter, meltable vegan cheese shreds, and nutritional yeast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Comfort food, soup |
| Ingredients | Macaroni, cheese, butter, flour, broth, cream, milk, vegetables (onions, carrots, celery), broccoli, peppers, spices (dry mustard powder, nutmeg, cayenne), salt, pepper, meat (bacon) |
| Preparation time | Short |
| Customization | Can be customised with different types of cheese, vegetables, and spices |
| Serving suggestion | Topped with crispy bacon |
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What You'll Learn
Macaroni and cheese soup recipes
Macaroni and cheese soup is a delicious and comforting meal, perfect for warming you up on a cold day. It's also a great way to use up any leftover mac and cheese. This soup is a quick and easy recipe that you can adapt to your taste, and it's sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion
- Celery
- Garlic
- Flour
- Chicken broth
- Milk
- Cream
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Dry mustard
- Pasta shells
- Cheddar cheese
- Velveeta cheese
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a large pot.
- Add chopped onion, celery, and garlic, and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle in flour and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring to avoid lumps.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, then add cream, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then add uncooked pasta.
- Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer until the pasta is cooked, stirring often.
- Add cubes of Velveeta cheese and stir until melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated cheddar cheese.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve warm with your choice of toppings or sides, such as bacon bits, salad, or garlic bread.
Feel free to customise this recipe to your liking. You can use different types of pasta shapes, such as orecchiette or elbows, and experiment with different cheeses like Colby, white cheddar, or sharp cheddar. You can also add extra vegetables like carrots, peppers, or broccoli. If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the milk or add more flour. Remember to taste as you go and adjust the ingredients to your preference!
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Is mac and cheese soup comforting?
Mac and cheese soup is a comforting meal that combines two classic comfort foods: macaroni and cheese and soup. This creamy, cheesy, decadent dish is perfect for warming you up on cold winter nights or any time you need a little extra comfort.
The soup typically starts with a base of vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, before adding broth and macaroni. The cheese sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, broth, cream, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese, and seasoned with dry mustard powder, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Some recipes also include vegetables like broccoli or even leftover mac and cheese. The result is a rich, indulgent soup that's sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
One of the great things about this soup is that it's highly customisable. You can add more or less milk to adjust the thickness of the soup, and season it with salt and pepper to taste. You can even add extra vegetables or spices to suit your preferences. For example, red, green, black, or white peppercorns can be used in place of regular pepper to add extra flavour.
Mac and cheese soup is often served with crispy bacon on top, adding a savoury, salty element to the dish. It can also be made vegan by using vegan butter, meltable vegan cheese shreds, nutritional yeast, and dairy-free half-and-half. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or get creative with your own variations, mac and cheese soup is sure to become a comforting favourite.
So, is mac and cheese soup comforting? Absolutely! It's a hearty, indulgent, and delicious meal that's perfect for warming you up and satisfying your comfort food cravings. Whether you're a mac and cheese fan or just looking for a cosy soup to snuggle up with, mac and cheese soup is sure to hit the spot.
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Is mac and cheese soup a healthy dish?
Mac and cheese soup is a variation of the traditional mac and cheese dish. While the traditional dish is already considered a comfort food, the soup version is even more comforting and satisfying, making it a popular choice for emotional well-being.
However, it is important to note that the high fat and calorie content of mac and cheese, especially when made with butter, cream, and cheese, can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease when consumed frequently. Additionally, many commercial or boxed mac and cheese products have a high sodium content, which can contribute to hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk.
To make mac and cheese soup a healthier dish, there are several modifications that can be made to the recipe:
- Use pasta made with 100% whole grains like whole-wheat flour. Whole-grain pasta is higher in fiber, healthy fats, and other nutrients, while refined white flour pasta has the bran and germ (where most of the fiber and nutrients are) stripped away. A study found that replacing daily servings of refined grains with whole grains can reduce heart disease risk factors, including total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, and blood triglyceride numbers.
- Choose cheeses with bolder flavors, like aged sharp cheddar and Gruyère, so you can use smaller portions without sacrificing taste.
- Swap out some of the cheese with thick Greek yogurt, Skyr (an Icelandic yogurt), or cottage cheese. This reduces the fat and calorie content while adding a tangy flavor and gut-friendly probiotics.
- Add vegetables like riced frozen cauliflower or broccoli, or a creamy puree of cooked vegetables like butternut, sweet potato, or canned pumpkin. This can help reduce the calorie count while adding nutrients.
- Include lean proteins like canned tuna, smoked salmon, sliced grilled pork tenderloin, roasted chicken, or canned beans to make the dish more balanced. Protein is important for repairing and building bodily tissues, and it can help blunt the blood sugar spike of a meal, making it especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.
By incorporating some of these suggestions, you can create a healthier version of mac and cheese soup that still retains the comforting and satisfying qualities of the original dish.
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Can you use leftover mac and cheese for soup?
Yes, you can definitely use leftover mac and cheese for soup! In fact, leftover mac and cheese soup is a common dish, with many recipes available online. This is a great way to repurpose leftover mac and cheese, which can become dry and less appealing after being stored in the fridge.
To make leftover mac and cheese soup, you can follow a few simple steps. First, set a large pot over medium-high heat and add butter. Once melted, add chopped onions and sauté for about 2 minutes until softened. Then, add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Next, whisk in flour until you have a thick mixture. Gradually add broth, whisking to achieve a smooth consistency. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Finally, add milk, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and black pepper to the pot, stirring frequently until the cheeses melt. You can also add cooked bacon to this soup for extra flavor.
There are many ways to customize this soup to your taste. For a thicker soup, you can reduce the amount of milk used. You can also add more salt and pepper to suit your preference. Freshly ground pepper, in particular, can add extra flavor to the soup. Additionally, you can include diced peppers of your choice, such as green, red, orange, or yellow peppers, or even jalapenos, to enhance the flavor and add a vegetable component to the dish.
Leftover mac and cheese soup is a creative and delicious way to transform your leftovers into a new meal. With some simple adjustments and additional ingredients, you can enjoy a comforting and satisfying soup that the whole family will love.
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Can you add vegetables to mac and cheese soup?
Yes, you can add vegetables to mac and cheese soup. In fact, many recipes for mac and cheese soup include vegetables. For example, one recipe includes carrots, celery, onion, and diced peppers, while another recommends adding broccoli.
Mac and cheese soup is a type of soup made with macaroni and cheese, and sometimes additional vegetables. It can be made with leftover mac and cheese or made from scratch with uncooked macaroni and cheese. The soup is described as creamy, hearty, and filling, with a similar taste to traditional macaroni and cheese but not as heavy. It can be a fun and kid-friendly dish, especially when made with fun-shaped pasta.
When adding vegetables to mac and cheese soup, it is recommended to finely chop them to add flavour, nutrition, and colour to the soup. Vegetables that go well in mac and cheese soup include broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, and peppers. You can also add spices and herbs such as cayenne pepper, bay leaves, and garlic to enhance the flavour of the soup.
Additionally, you can experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination. Some popular choices include Velveeta, cheddar, Colby, and Jarlsberg. You can also add cream, milk, or sour cream to create a creamier texture. So feel free to get creative and add your favourite vegetables to your mac and cheese soup!
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Frequently asked questions
Macaroni and cheese soup is a combination of two comfort foods: macaroni and cheese, and soup. It is a creamy, decadent, and cheesy dish, perfect for cold winter nights.
There are many ways to make macaroni and cheese soup. You can use leftover macaroni and cheese or cook the macaroni from scratch. You can also add vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery, and spices such as dry mustard powder, nutmeg, and cayenne.
Yes, you can add meat to your macaroni and cheese soup. Some recipes call for crispy bacon to be sprinkled on top of the soup.
Yes, you can make macaroni and cheese soup vegan by using vegan butter, meltable vegan cheese shreds, nutritional yeast, and dairy-free half-and-half.
Macaroni and cheese soup can be made in a short amount of time. It is a quick and easy dish to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
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