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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Mac and Cheese Soup

That's right....Mac and Cheese soup.... you did not read that wrong.  Everything you love about mac and cheese but a little bit healthier and much more runnier!!  lol

Seriously, the rave about this in my Food Network Magazine was that it was like half the fat of regular mac and cheese.  That can't be bad and you know it!!!

Now, I would have liked my soup to be a little thicker, but had it been much thicker, it would have truly been just mac and cheese, so I dare not change a thing on this recipe.  The flavors were fantastic, though you do need to get a halfway decent cheddar cheese to get that...no using "no name brand" cheese.  Splurge a little and go for the good stuff.  It will truly make a difference in this.

Now there are a lot of things I thought about adding to this soup... like chipotles or regular jalapenos, or even a little chicken... but I stuck with the recipe that I was going off of, just to make sure that I could make the soup properly.  Next time... and there will be a next time...I will add the more exciting ingredients to it to help kick it up and make it that much better!

If you are a mac and cheese fan...this soup is a must try!!

Mac and Cheese Soup
Slightly adapted from the Food Network Magazine
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
1 cup (4oz) elbow macaroni
4 half inch thick slices baguette (I actually made 8 so we could have extras for dipping)
freshly ground black pepper
1 shallot
1 clove of garlic
1 carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 1/2 cups fat free low sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups 2% milk (if you want a thicker soup, you can use heavy cream)
6 oz (1 1/2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Cherry tomatoes, cut in half (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees (I actually just used my toaster oven for this).  Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil.  Add the macaroni and cook per package instructions; drain and set aside.

Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.  Place in oven and bake until the bread is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.  Remove from oven.

In a food processor, add the shallot, garlic, carrot, and celery.  Process until minced.  Mist a large saucepan with cooking spray or oil.  Add the vegetables and cook over medium heat until softened; about 4-5 minutes.  Add the flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.  Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and bring to a boil; cook, stirring, until the soup thickens, about 6-7 minutes.  Remove from the heat.

Add the milk and the cheeses, stirring until the cheese is melted and the soup is smooth.  Add the macaroni and season with pepper.  Top with a piece of the toast and two tomato halves.  Enjoy!

(Nutritional info per serving -serves 4-:  476 calories; 20g Fat; 84mg sodium; 636mg carbohydrates; 27g protein)


One Year Ago:  Hamburger Buddy

13 comments:

Big Dude said...

That sure is a unique soup, especially with the veggies in it - sounds delicious and you can kick it up with lots of things.

Debbie said...

My son would absolutely love this! Perfect also for this time of year. Delicious!!!

egbkid said...

Looks different, yet good. Anything cheesey will disappear at my house! Thanks for sharing!!

Yenta Mary said...

OMG, that looks SO good!!! Wonderful on its own, just waiting for extra goodies like your beloved peppers, or -- I know! -- some bacon crumbles! Ooooooh ... :)

Unknown said...

How can one go wrong with this?! I like your idea for the next time - kicking it up a notch but this base recipe is great and one I may just see if kids like! Thanks!

Unknown said...

This is the second mac and cheese soup I've seen today. I think that's a sign for me to give it a try. Yours looks so creamy. And a healthier mac and cheese? I'm always up for that :)

Mary Bergfeld said...

This is really unusual. It looks creamy and delicious and I'll wager is as tasty as it is beautiful. I love its color. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

Mmm you had me at soup but then you went & said it was mac & cheese soup! Wow how good does that look?!? This would be a family pleaser for sure!! I will be making this for our lunch one day soon :)

Pam said...

How tasty is that!!! My mac & cheese loving son will dig this soup.

Roxan said...

Did you know that mac and cheese is one of my favorite things in the world? So much so that I'm planning on naming my next dog Mac n Cheese. This soup looks delicious and I know I would slurp up every last bit of it.

StephenC said...

What a cool idea!

Chris said...

Friggin' yum! enuff said.

Aion Gold said...

I dare not alter a concern on this recipe. The flavors have been fantastic, although you do should obtain a halfway decent cheddar
Does anyone about the Aion Gold, does anyone have some good suggestions to get the fast and Cheap WOW Gold, please tell me and thanks a lot who can help me.