Mac and Cheese Soup

Calling all macaroni and cheese fans! This soup is delightfully creamy, cheesy and a perfect one-pot recipe for a weeknight dinner. Top your bowl with some fish-shape cheddar crackers for an extra satisfying cheesy crunch.

Mac and Cheese Soup
Photo: Andy Lyons
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
9 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon butter

  • ¾ cup chopped onion

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard or 1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard

  • 1 8 ounce pkg. cream cheese, cubed and softened

  • 2 cup half-and-half

  • 2 cup shredded cheddar, Colby, and/or Monterey Jack cheese (8 oz.)

  • 2 cup cooked elbow macaroni

  • 4 ounce cooked ham, cubed

  • ½ cup frozen peas

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally.

  2. Stir in broth and mustard. Bring to boiling; reduce heat to maintain simmer. Stir in cream cheese until smooth. Stir in half-and-half. Reduce heat to low. Gradually add shredded cheese, whisking until melted. Stir in cooked macaroni, ham, and peas; heat through.

Shred That Cheese

Preshredded cheeses may seem convenient, but when making cheesy soups, steer clear of the bags. Many packaged cheeses contain starches that can affect the way it melts into the soup. For the smoothest, creamiest results, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

618 Calories
40g Fat
41g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 618
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 40g 51%
Saturated Fat 24g 120%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 954mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 6.1mg 31%
Calcium 424mg 33%
Iron 2.2mg 12%
Potassium 482mg 10%
Fatty acids, total trans 1g
Folate, total 121.3mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.8mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.3mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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