Mac And Cheese Soup – A Hearty Dinner

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This Mac and Cheese Soup is the comfort food you didn’t know you needed! Even the kids will love this cheesy soup with hidden veggies!

A closeup of mac and cheese soup in a white bowl

Hearty Macaroni And Cheese Soup

If you’ve been looking for comfort food that even the kids will love, you have to try my Mac and Cheese Soup! It is a creamy macaroni and cheese soup with cheddar cheese that also has some veggies mixed in. 

Just like Kraft macaroni and cheese as well as most other boxed mac and cheese you’ll find, this cheddar cheese soup is made with elbow macaroni noodles. That should make it more attractive to the kids since traditional mac and cheese is often a favorite food (I know it is in my house!). 

This particular mac and cheese soup is a touch sweet from the creamed corn, but also rich and hearty, so it can easily be served as a meal. Top each bowl with a little extra shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy dinner that everyone will love. 

A great way to feed the whole family on busy weeknights or a chilly day, serve this delicious recipe with a salad and some crusty bread to fill out a full meal! 

A white bowl of Mac and Cheese Soup with a spoon holding up a scoop

How To Make Mac And Cheese Soup Recipe

Mac And Cheese Soup Ingredients:

1 cup elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup carrots, chopped 
2/3 cup celery, chopped 
2/3 cup onion, chopped 
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)

2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 can creamed corn 8 oz

Supplies Needed:

Large saucepan or large soup pot
Large colander 
Cutting board
Sharp knife 
Large skillet
Flexible spatula
Wooden spoon or kitchen spoon
Small mixing bowl

A metal platter with olive oil, a can of creamed corn, carrots, celery, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and more ingredients for the mac and cheese soup

Directions:

Step 1: Cook your elbow macaroni in salted water according to the package directions for al dente. Once ready, set the cooked pasta aside.

Step 2: Take out a cutting board and slice your large carrots, celery stalks, and onion into small pieces. The smaller you slice these vegetables, the softer they will be in the soup. 

A green cutting board with chopped carrots, chopped celery and an onion cut in half next to a large knife for mac and cheese soupStep 3: In a large frying pan on medium-high heat, sauté your carrots in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add your celery and onions and sauté all of your ingredients for another 5 minutes.

Chopped carrots, celery and onion in a black frying pan for mac and cheese soup*Note – this process will cook your vegetables, but it won’t soften them fully. If you want your carrots and celery very soft, boil the pieces in water for about 8 minutes before adding them to the frying pan. 

A black pot with cream, milk and a large handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top for mac and cheese soupStep 4: In a large saucepan or dutch oven on medium heat, combine your heavy cream, milk, and cheese. Constantly stir until your cheese has melted. (If you prefer sharp cheddar cheese, you can use that instead of mild.)

Step 5: Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and stir. More salt and pepper can be added later, so wait until everything is combined to add any more.

Cream soup in a black pot with a black spoon inside for mac and cheese soupStep 6: In a small bowl, mix the water and corn starch until it is smooth. Add this combination to the milk and cheese mixture. This will thicken your soup. Cook until it starts to boil.

A pot of mac and cheese soup being warmed up with a black spoon insideStep 7: Add the sautéed vegetables, creamed corn, and cooked macaroni to the large pot, while continuing to stir everything together.

Cook your macaroni mixture for a little bit until your soup is thoroughly heated and you’ve let the soup form. 

Mac and Cheese Soup in a white bowl with shredded cheddar cheese on topStep 8: Add any additional salt and pepper you’d like. Serve your mac and cheese soup hot with some additional shredded cheddar cheese on top of each serving.

How To Store Leftover Mac And Cheese Soup

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How To Freeze Leftover Mac And Cheese Soup

If you’d like to keep some leftover mac and cheese soup in the freezer so that you have a quick meal for later, allow it to cool to room temperature and then add it to a freezer container.

Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months for best results. 

*Note – if you are making this mac and cheese recipe specifically as a freezer meal, omit the noodles until you have defrosted your soup and add them fresh. 

Mac and Cheese Soup in a white bowl with a spoon holding a scoop

Can I Leave The Carrots And Celery Out Or Add Extra Veggies? 

Yes! This is the way that I like to make my mac and cheese soup, but my favorite thing about it is that it is so easy to change up a bit. If you’d like to add cooked green pepper pieces or broccoli florets instead of carrots and celery (or in addition to), that would taste amazing as well!

Can I Use A Different Type Of Pasta? 

Yes! If you don’t have elbow macaroni handy, you can replace it with just about any other pasta. You may find it a little more challenging to eat if you’re using spaghetti or fettuccini, but this delicious meal will still taste great. 

Can I Use Chicken Stock Instead Of Water? 

Yes! This is a vegetarian mac and cheese soup because it doesn’t use chicken broth or any other meat products, but you can make this swap if you’d like. There are only 2 tablespoons of water, so it may not impact the delicious flavor by much, but go with your personal preference. 

What Kind Of Milk Should I Use? 

You can use whatever milk you have on hand. We keep 1% milk in my house, so that is what I use, but you can use whole milk or skim milk as well. You will be using heavy cream in addition to the milk, so you’ll get a creamy soup either way. 

A white bowl of Mac and Cheese soup with shredded cheddar cheese on top next to a metal spoon

Can I Add Anything Else To This Mac N Cheese Soup? 

Yes! You shouldn’t need to, but you could easily stir in some bacon bits, cooked chicken (a great way to use up leftover chicken breasts), or chopped ham at the end of cooking if you should choose. You could also top it with bread crumbs if you want a little extra crunch. That said, it tastes great just as it is! 

Are You Looking For More Delicious Soup Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

Cuisinart Contour Hard Anodized 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Cover,BlackCuisinart Contour Hard Anodized 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Cover,BlackCuisinart Contour Hard Anodized 5-Quart Dutch Oven with Cover,BlackCuisinart 644-24 Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 6-Quart Stockpot with Lid,BlackCuisinart 644-24 Chef’s Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 6-Quart Stockpot with Lid,BlackCuisinart 644-24 Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 6-Quart Stockpot with Lid,BlackKitchen Utensil and Gadget Set- Includes Plastic Spatula and Spoons by Chef Buddy- Cookware Set on a Ring (Six Piece Set)- Kitchen Essentials (Single pack)Kitchen Utensil and Gadget Set- Includes Plastic Spatula and Spoons by Chef Buddy- Cookware Set on a Ring (Six Piece Set)- Kitchen Essentials (Single pack)Kitchen Utensil and Gadget Set- Includes Plastic Spatula and Spoons by Chef Buddy- Cookware Set on a Ring (Six Piece Set)- Kitchen Essentials (Single pack)Zulay Soup Ladle Spoon with Comfortable Grip - Cooking and Serving Spoon for Soup, Chili, Gravy, Salad Dressing and Pancake Batter - Large Nylon Scoop & Soup Ladel Great for Canning and PouringZulay Soup Ladle Spoon with Comfortable Grip – Cooking and Serving Spoon for Soup, Chili, Gravy, Salad Dressing and Pancake Batter – Large Nylon Scoop & Soup Ladel Great for Canning and PouringZulay Soup Ladle Spoon with Comfortable Grip - Cooking and Serving Spoon for Soup, Chili, Gravy, Salad Dressing and Pancake Batter - Large Nylon Scoop & Soup Ladel Great for Canning and PouringExtra Large Cutting Board, Plastic Cutting Board for Kitchen Dishwasher Safe Non Slip Chopping Board Set of 3 with Juice Grooves, Easy Grip Handle, Black, KikcoinExtra Large Cutting Board, Plastic Cutting Board for Kitchen Dishwasher Safe Non Slip Chopping Board Set of 3 with Juice Grooves, Easy Grip Handle, Black, KikcoinExtra Large Cutting Board, Plastic Cutting Board for Kitchen Dishwasher Safe Non Slip Chopping Board Set of 3 with Juice Grooves, Easy Grip Handle, Black, KikcoinAiWow Extra Flexible Silicone Cutting Board for Kitchen Dishwasher Safe Non-Slip 6 Colored Thick Plastic BPA Free Upgrade Cutting Mats Large Set of 6AiWow Extra Flexible Silicone Cutting Board for Kitchen Dishwasher Safe Non-Slip 6 Colored Thick Plastic BPA Free Upgrade Cutting Mats Large Set of 6AiWow Extra Flexible Silicone Cutting Board for Kitchen Dishwasher Safe Non-Slip 6 Colored Thick Plastic BPA Free Upgrade Cutting Mats Large Set of 6

 

Yield: 8 Servings

Mac And Cheese Soup

A white bowl of Mac and Cheese soup with shredded cheddar cheese on top next to a metal spoon

This Mac and Cheese Soup is the comfort food you didn't know you needed! Even the kids will love this cheesy soup with hidden veggies!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2/3 cup carrots, chopped
  • 2/3 cup celery, chopped
  • 2/3 cup onions, chopped
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • 1 can creamed corn 8 oz

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni according to package directions and set aside.
  2. Chop the carrots, celery and onions into small pieces.
  3. In a pan on medium heat, sauté your carrots in olive oil for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the celery and onions and sauté all of the ingredients for another 5 minutes.
  5. In a large pot on medium heat, combine your heavy cream, milk, and cheese.
  6. Constantly stir until the cheese melts completely.
  7. Add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper and stir to combine.
  8. In a small bowl, mix your water and corn starch until it is smooth and add it to milk and cheese mixture.
  9. Cook until the mixture thickens and starts to boil.
  10. Stir constantly while adding the sautéed vegetables, creamed corn and cooked macaroni.
  11. Add more salt and pepper to taste if you'd like.
  12. Cook until thoroughly heated and serve hot with a little shredded cheese on top of each portion.

Notes

Sautéing your vegetables will cook them, but it won't soften them fully. If you want your carrots and celery very soft, boil the pieces in water for about 8 minutes before adding them to the frying pan. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 409Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 418mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 10g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

Mac & Cheese Soup with shredded cheddar cheese on top in a white bowl next to a spoon on a wooden table

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3 Comments

  1. Hi I have a electric soup maker would this recipe work in that and do yup think I will have to change any of the quantities

    1. Hi Annemarie,
      I’m so sorry, but I’m not familiar with how an electric soup maker works, so I’m really not sure. I wish I could be more help!
      -Alli

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