Description
Comfort meets innovation in this mac & cheese soup, blending nostalgic pasta with rich, velvety broth. Cheese lovers will savor each spoonful of this hearty dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dining table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Thickening and Flavor Agents:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
Seasoning:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, submerging the elbow macaroni until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency. Drain the pasta carefully, preserving its texture for later incorporation.
- Transform the same pot into a smooth roux foundation by gently melting butter and whisking in flour. Allow the mixture to toast and develop a golden, nutty fragrance for a brief moment.
- Introduce chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream into the roux, whisking with precision to eliminate potential lumps. Maintain consistent motion while the liquid gradually thickens and develops a velvety consistency.
- Integrate shredded cheddar cheese into the simmering liquid, folding continuously to ensure complete dissolution. Manipulate the heat to create a harmonious, silky texture without scorching.
- Elevate the flavor profile by seasoning with salt, pepper, and mustard powder. Taste and refine the seasoning, considering a subtle splash of vinegar to enhance the overall complexity.
- Reunite the reserved pasta with the cheese-infused base, allowing them to merge and absorb each other’s essence. Permit a gentle simmer to marry the flavors and achieve optimal creaminess.
- Present the soup in warm bowls, adorned with optional garnishes like additional cheese, fresh herbs, or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper to elevate the visual and gustatory experience.
Notes
- Select shorter pasta shapes like cavatappi or shells for better soup texture and easier eating.
- Prevent cheese from becoming grainy by removing the pot from heat before adding cheese and stirring gradually.
- Use a combination of cheeses like sharp cheddar and gruyere for deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Enhance soup’s richness by adding a small amount of cream cheese or mascarpone during cheese melting stage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 572
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg