Cozy Creamy Macaroni and Spinach Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Whipping up a delightful macaroni and spinach soup can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Comfort meets nutrition in this vibrant bowl of creamy goodness.

Green leaves peek through rich, velvety broth, promising a hearty meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Spinach adds a nutritious punch to classic mac, creating magic in every spoonful.

Home cooks will adore how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal ingredients.

Pantry staples dance into a satisfying soup that whispers pure deliciousness.

Savor each bite and let this simple yet elegant dish become your new kitchen favorite.

Why This Macaroni and Spinach Soup Comforts Instantly

• Speed through this creamy soup in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy families craving comfort food fast.
• Beginner-friendly recipe requires minimal cooking techniques, allowing new cooks to confidently create a restaurant-worthy dish without complicated steps.
• Spinach and Parmesan deliver a protein and vitamin boost, transforming a simple soup into a wholesome meal that supports healthy eating goals.
• Easily adaptable for vegetarians by switching chicken broth, suitable for lunch or dinner, and loved by both kids and adults with its rich, smooth texture.

Pantry and Fridge Ingredients for Macaroni Spinach Soup

• Butter: Provides rich, smooth base for sautéing aromatics.
• Flour: Helps thicken the soup and create creamy texture.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor foundation with sweet and pungent notes.

• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Creates depth of flavor and soup liquid.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious, velvety smoothness to the soup.

• Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that holds sauce well.
• Spinach: Adds vibrant green color and nutritional boost.

• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty umami flavor.
• Dried Thyme, Dried Basil: Provides herbal complexity.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers warm, subtle background note.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and brightening overall taste.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh, bright finishing touch.

Directions to Make Macaroni Spinach Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Onions and Garlic

Heat a large pot over medium flame. Drop in butter and let it melt smoothly. Toss chopped onions into the melted butter and cook until they turn translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and stir quickly until a delightful aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 2: Build a Flavor Base

Shower flour over the onion-garlic mixture. Stir constantly to create a silky roux. Keep mixing and cooking for a couple minutes to remove any raw flour taste.

Step 3: Create Liquid Magic

• Heavy cream
• Dried thyme
• Dried basil
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubbling point.

Step 4: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Drop macaroni into the simmering liquid. Lower heat and let pasta cook until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Aim for that perfect al dente texture.

Step 5: Welcome Spinach and Cheese

Fold chopped spinach leaves into the soup. Watch them wilt and blend into the creamy mixture. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts completely, creating a luxurious texture.

Step 6: Final Touches

Check soup consistency. If too thick, splash in extra broth or water. Taste and season as needed. Scoop into warm bowls and garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Cooking Tips for a Perfectly Texture

• Customize Creamy Consistency: Adjust the soup's thickness by adding more broth or water, ensuring a perfect texture that's not too runny or dense.
• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir the macaroni occasionally while simmering to stop it from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast the dried herbs briefly in the butter before adding other ingredients to release their maximum aromatic potential.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Swap regular macaroni with whole wheat pasta or gluten-free alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs and increase nutritional content.
• Elevate Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, fontina, or gouda to create unique flavor profiles in your creamy soup.

Reheating and Storing Leftover Soup

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing if the soup contains cream, as it may separate when thawed.
• Warm the soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore the original consistency if it has thickened during storage.
• Heat in microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly heated. Watch carefully to prevent overheating and potential separation.

What to Serve Alongside This Soup

• Select a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Pinot Noir to complement the creamy soup's rich texture and cut through its velvety smoothness.
• Slice and toast a rustic sourdough to provide a crunchy contrast to the soup's creamy consistency, perfect for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness, adding a refreshing and tangy element that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Sprinkle crisp, pan-fried pancetta bits on top of the soup for a salty, crunchy garnish that adds depth and textural excitement to each spoonful.

Ideas for Changing Up Macaroni and Spinach Soup

Vegetarian Delight: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and ensure all ingredients are vegetarian-friendly for a plant-based version of the soup.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free macaroni to create a celiac-friendly recipe.

Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, lactose-free soup.

Low-Carb Transformation: Replace macaroni with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, and reduce the flour to create a lighter, lower-carbohydrate soup option.

Creamy Macaroni And Spinach Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty “creamy macaroni and spinach soup” delivers comfort in a bowl, blending rustic Italian flavors with wholesome ingredients. Warm, nourishing spoonfuls invite you to savor each creamy bite of this soul-satisfying culinary creation.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups macaroni pasta
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Base:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. In a spacious cooking vessel, transform butter into a silky medium-heat medium, introducing diced onions and transforming them into translucent jewels within 3-4 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom for an additional minute.
2. Dust flour over the aromatic base, whisking continuously to craft a smooth, golden roux. Allow this mixture to dance for 1-2 minutes, eliminating any raw flour undertones.
3. Gradually introduce broth, whisking methodically to create a velvety liquid foundation. Stream in heavy cream, blending seamlessly. Infuse with thyme, basil, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, bringing the mixture to a gentle, bubbling simmer.
4. Cascade uncooked macaroni into the fragrant liquid. Reduce heat, allowing pasta to tenderly cook for 8-10 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent clinging.
5. Gently fold fresh spinach leaves into the soup, watching them wilt and surrender their vibrant green color. Sprinkle Parmesan, stirring until it melts into a luxurious embrace with the surrounding liquid.
6. Evaluate the soup’s consistency, adding broth if needed to achieve desired texture. Fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Ladle into serving bowls, optionally crowning with fresh parsley, and present steaming hot.

Notes

• Blend aromatics thoroughly to develop a rich, deep flavor foundation that infuses the entire soup with deliciousness.
• Toast flour carefully during roux creation to eliminate raw starchiness and enhance the overall nutty undertone of the dish.
• Select fresh spinach for maximum nutritional impact and vibrant green color that elevates visual appeal.
• Experiment with alternative cheese options like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda to customize flavor profile and accommodate different taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg