Name: Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 2 large carrots, diced; 2 stalks celery, diced; 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoon mustard powder; 1 pinch nutmeg; 6 cups vegetable broth, divided; ½ cup heavy cream; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups uncooked pasta shells; 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese; 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded; Chives, green onion, or bacon

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 42 reviews

If you’re craving something cozy, cheesy, and downright comforting, you’ve come to the right place. This Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe takes the best parts of classic mac & cheese and transforms it into a warm, luscious soup that you’ll want to curl up with on chilly nights. Trust me, it’s a total fan-freaking-tastic twist that blends creamy cheese, tender pasta, and flavorful veggies all in one bowl. Stick with me — I’m going to share my favorite tips so you nail it every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Creaminess: Combining cream cheese, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar makes the soup irresistibly velvety without being too heavy.
Depth of Flavor: Sautéed onions, carrots, celery, and a blend of warming spices add layers of savory goodness that elevate simple mac & cheese.
Perfect Pasta Texture: Cooking pasta shells right in the broth keeps them tender yet firm, soaking up all those cheesy flavors.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items needed — all easily sourced but cooked with care to create something special.

Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup, cheesy soup recipes, easy comfort food, hearty pasta soup, cozy cheese soup - A close-up view of a large blue pot filled with creamy yellow soup with small pasta shells and thin slices of orange carrot and green celery mixed inside. The soup has a thick smooth texture covering all ingredients evenly, and a long silver spoon is resting inside the pot with its handle leaning on the pot’s edge. The pot is sitting on a stovetop surrounded by a white marbled surface visible at the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe uses a thoughtful blend of veggies, seasonings, and cheese to build rich flavor while keeping things comforting. Each ingredient plays a role, so I’ll walk you through why they’re here — and toss in a few pointers for picking the best.

Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup, cheesy soup recipes, easy comfort food, hearty pasta soup, cozy cheese soup - Flat lay of diced orange carrots, diced pale green celery stalks, a whole peeled onion with layers visible, peeled garlic cloves scattered nearby, a block of creamy white cream cheese, bright yellow shredded cheddar cheese heaps, uncooked small pasta shells, fresh green chives and sliced green onions sprinkled artfully, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Olive oil: A neutral base for sautéing that keeps veggies soft and adds subtle fruitiness.
Onion: Classic backbone for savory dishes — stick with yellow or sweet for a gentle caramelized sweetness.
Carrots: Add a natural sweetness and brighten the soup’s flavor.
Celery: Provides a subtle earthy crunch that balances rich cheese.
Garlic: Pungent and aromatic, it lifts everything with its warmth.
Black pepper & salt: Essential seasoning, enhancing all the ingredients without overpowering.
Cayenne pepper: Just a pinch gives a gentle, comforting heat that wakes up your taste buds.
Mustard powder: A little secret weapon that adds a subtle tang to complement the cheese.
Nutmeg: Warm and slightly sweet, it’s the classic spice that pairs beautifully with creamy cheese dishes.
Vegetable broth: The flavorful liquid base that keeps this recipe vegetarian — you can swap for chicken broth if you prefer.
All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the soup into a luscious velvety texture — just cook it well to prevent lumps.
Pasta shells: Miniatures better for soup — they trap the creamy sauce inside and cook evenly.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and silkiness to the soup.
Cream cheese: Melts smoothly and intensifies the creaminess without getting grainy.
Cheddar cheese: The star player — sharp, melty cheddar brings tons of flavor and that signature mac & cheese vibe.
Garnishes (chives, green onion, or bacon): Fresh or crispy toppings add a pop of color and texture contrast.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your liking. Whether you want it extra spicy, dairy-free, or packed with veggies — I’ve tried and loved a bunch of variations you might want to explore yourself.

Spicy Kick: I like adding a splash of hot sauce or swapping cayenne for smoked paprika when I’m craving something smoky and spicy.
Dairy-Free Version: I experimented with coconut cream and nutritional yeast — not the same as cheddar, but still creamy and satisfying.
Veggie Boost: Feel free to toss in chopped broccoli, peas, or wilted spinach for extra color and nutrients.
Bacon Fans: Crispy bacon bits stirred in or sprinkled on top add the perfect salty crunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies with Warm Spices

Start by warming your olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Toss in diced onion, carrots, and celery, stirring every minute or so for about 4-5 minutes until they start to soften. Then add minced garlic and all the spices — black pepper, salt, cayenne, mustard powder, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir and let the aromatics bloom for another 3-4 minutes. This step sets a flavorful foundation, so make sure your veggies are tender but not browned. If you rush or burn the garlic, you’ll get a bitter edge, which we want to avoid!

Step 2: Build the Base with Broth and Flour

Next, pour in about one cup of vegetable broth and sprinkle in the flour, whisking as you go. This forms a smooth slurry that will thicken the soup. Cook it gently for 1-2 minutes to eliminate that raw flour taste. Keep stirring so it doesn’t clump or stick. Patience here pays off with a silky texture.

Step 3: Add Remaining Broth and Pasta, Simmer ‘Til Just Right

Slowly stream in the rest of the broth, stirring constantly to keep things smooth. Then dump in your pasta shells and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes until pasta is tender but still has a slight bite (al dente). Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom. Overcooked pasta can get mushy, so keep an eye on it!

Step 4: Stir in Cream, Cream Cheese & Cheddar for Dreamy Creaminess

Turn down the heat and add the heavy cream, cream cheese broken into chunks, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything melts and blends into that iconic creamy, cheesy soup texture. If the soup feels too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up. This part is pure magic — the soup transforms from a savory broth to a rich, velvety hug in a bowl.

Step 5: Serve with Fresh Garnishes and Enjoy!

Ladle your piping hot creamy mac & cheese soup into bowls and sprinkle with chopped chives, sliced green onions, or crispy bacon bits for an extra burst of flavor and texture. Grab your spoon, sit down, and savor every mouthful!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Avoid Lumps: Whisk the broth and flour mixture vigorously to keep it smooth before adding more liquid.
Cheese Temperature: Bring cheeses to room temp before adding so they melt evenly without clumping.
Keep Pasta Al Dente: Taste the pasta early, it can go from perfect to mush quickly in soup.
Customize Salt: Vegetables and cheeses vary in saltiness; add seasoning gradually to avoid over-salting.

How to Serve Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe

Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup, cheesy soup recipes, easy comfort food, hearty pasta soup, cozy cheese soup - This image shows a white bowl full of creamy pasta with shell-shaped noodles covered in a thick, smooth yellow cheese sauce. Small chopped green herbs are sprinkled on top, along with a light dusting of grated cheese. Pieces of green and orange vegetables are mixed into the sauce, adding little pops of color. The bowl sits on a soft mustard yellow cloth, and part of a dark pot is visible in the upper right corner. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Personally, I love topping this soup with freshly chopped chives or green onions to add a little pop of color and mild sharpness. Bacon crumbles are my go-to for weekend indulgences — the salty crunch makes every spoonful extra special. If you want to keep things vegetarian, toasted breadcrumbs with a sprinkle of smoked paprika also bring a lovely texture contrast.

Side Dishes

Serving this soup with a warm, crusty baguette or a buttery garlic bread makes for a perfect meal. I also like pairing it with a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness and add freshness. Roasted Brussels sprouts or simple steamed green beans work great if you want to add veggies to your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings or cozy dinner parties, I sometimes serve the soup inside mini bread bowls — it looks adorable and munching the bowl afterward is a treat! Another idea is layering the soup with crumbled bacon and extra cheese in clear glass mugs for a fun presentation. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of truffle oil or fresh herbs like thyme can elevate the flavors beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the soup cool down to room temperature, then transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for 3-4 days. Just be aware the pasta will soak up some liquid over time, so the soup might thicken a bit overnight.

Freezing

I don’t typically freeze this soup because the texture of pasta can get mushy and cheese can separate after thawing. But if you want to, freeze before adding pasta, and cook the pasta fresh before serving — that helps maintain texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up while warming. Microwaving works in a pinch—just heat in shorter bursts and stir to keep the soup creamy and smooth.

FAQs

Can I use different types of pasta for this Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe?

Absolutely! While pasta shells work beautifully because they catch the creamy sauce inside, you can swap in elbow macaroni, small penne, or even ditalini. Just keep in mind the cooking time might vary slightly depending on the pasta shape and size.
Is this Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Yes, it’s vegetarian as written since it uses vegetable broth and no meat. You can leave off bacon or any meat toppings to keep it fully vegetarian and still flavorful.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry and use gluten-free pasta shells. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
What if I want a lighter version of this Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe?

You can reduce the heavy cream or swap it for whole milk, and use reduced-fat cheese options. Incorporating more vegetables helps bulk it up healthily without losing creaminess.
How do I prevent the cheese from clumping?

Bring your cheeses to room temperature and add them gradually, stirring gently over low heat. Using cream cheese helps keep everything smooth and prevents the sharp cheddar from seizing up.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings together the ultimate comfort-food trio — cheesy, creamy, and hearty — in a bowl that’s easy to make and endlessly satisfying. Whether you’re cozying up solo or serving it for a crowd, you’ll love how adaptable and forgiving this recipe is. I hope you give it a try and discover your own favorite tweaks along the way. Happy cooking, friend!