My youngest daughter is a huge fan of
mac and cheese. I always add carrots and celery to my soups; extra nutrition always! The results are creamy and cheesy just like mac and cheese.
Ingredients
3 cups small shell macaroni, cooked
1 small onion, small diced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 carrots, diced
2 oz white wine
8 oz water
1 tbsp chicken bouillon seasoning
6 tbsp butter
6 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
1 tsp Lawyr's seasoned salt
2 tsp Dijon mustard
dash of garlic hot sauce
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup ham, diced
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
scallions
bacon, crumbles
Instructions
Please read Susie's Tips and Tricks
1. Prepare macaroni as directed on the package. Toss with a small amount of vegetable oil to prevent clumping and store in fridge until ready to add to soup.
2. In a large pot add a swirl of oil on medium low heat; saute onion for a few minutes, then add garlic, carrots, and celery. The vegetables will begin to sweat; add the white wine, water, and chicken bouillon. Cover with a lid and let simmer. Once softened as desired, remove from heat and set aside.
3. Meantime in a small pot melt butter. Now add flour. Let cook a minute or two; to remove the floury taste. Now slowly add milk and combine into the flour mixture. Keep heat on medium low. The liquid should slowly thicken in 4-5 minutes. Add seasoned salt, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce.
4. Now add chicken stock to the vegetable pot. Add cooked pasta, diced ham, and the white sauce you prepared. Re-heat the food on low heat as not to overcook it.
5. Once warm, add cheddar cheese. Garnish with scallions or crumbled cooked bacon if desired. Be sure and taste; then adjust seasoning as desired.
Susie's Tips and Tricks
Add more or less vegetables as desired.
Lawry's seasoning is a celery seed, garlic, onion mixture. If you have a preferred mixture use that instead. I highly recommend this type of base.
Be sure and season according to your taste. I don't measure in my kitchen except to share an approximate amount for simple work.
Use vegetable stock if you don't have chicken.
Once your soup has come together don't boil it.
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