Cozy Up with Our Hearty Macaroni and Spinach Soup Recipe

Chilly evenings call for a comforting bowl of macaroni and spinach soup that warms every corner of your soul.

Packed with robust flavors and nourishing ingredients, this recipe promises a delightful culinary experience.

Tender macaroni swirls dance alongside vibrant green spinach leaves in a rich, creamy broth.

Herbs and spices mingle to create a symphony of taste that dances on your palate.

Each spoonful brings a perfect balance of comfort and nutrition to your table.

The simplicity of this soup belies its incredible depth of flavor and wholesome goodness.

Grab a ladle and savor every warming bite of this delectable soup that turns an ordinary meal into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 363 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Macaroni Spinach Soup

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for soup's depth and smooth texture.
• Onion: Adds sweet, earthy base flavor and aromatic complexity to the soup.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent undertone that enhances overall taste profile.

• Flour: Creates silky roux that helps soup achieve luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Chicken/Vegetable Broth: Delivers foundational savory liquid base with robust flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Introduces luxurious richness and creates smooth, elegant texture.

• Dried Thyme: Brings subtle herbal warmth and earthy undertones to soup.
• Dried Basil: Contributes gentle, sweet herbaceous notes that complement creamy base.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers delicate, warming spice that elevates overall flavor complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and intensifies the soup's seasoning profile.

• Macaroni: Provides hearty, comforting carbohydrate element with classic pasta texture.
• Spinach: Adds vibrant green color, nutritional boost, and fresh leafy dimension.

• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, salty complexity and creates luxurious, melty finish.
• Fresh Parsley (Optional): Offers bright, fresh garnish with clean herbal accent.

Tools for This Cozy Mac and Greens Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup from start to finish, providing ample space for sautéing and simmering.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending roux and incorporating liquids without lumps.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing pasta from sticking.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and spinach.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise vegetable preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving the soup evenly into bowls.

Cooking Macaroni Spinach Soup the Right Way

• Soften Flavor Base

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in onions and cook until they turn translucent and soft. Add garlic and let it dance around until its aroma fills the kitchen.

• Create Silky Foundation

Dust flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir constantly, creating a smooth paste that will thicken your soup beautifully. Cook for a minute to remove any raw flour taste.

• Build Liquid Layers

Pour broth slowly, whisking to create a velvety texture. Splash in cream and stir. Sprinkle herbs and spices that will make your soup sing with flavor. Bring to a gentle bubble.

• Cook Pasta and Greens

Drop macaroni into the simmering liquid. Let it bubble away until tender. Toss in fresh spinach leaves, watching them wilt and turn a vibrant green.

• Final Touches

Stir in Parmesan cheese until it melts into a creamy embrace. Check the soup’s consistency, adding liquid if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve piping hot, ready to comfort and delight.

Ideas to Add Richness or Brightness

• Smart Soup Secrets
• Choose smaller macaroni shapes like ditalini or mini shells to ensure even cooking and better spinach distribution throughout the soup.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains the soup's rich, velvety texture.
• Add cooked shredded chicken, crispy bacon bits, or white beans to transform this soup into a more substantial meal with extra protein.
• Prepare the soup base in advance and store separately from pasta. Add macaroni just before serving to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal pasta texture.
• Replace spinach with kale during winter months or swap in Swiss chard for a different nutrient-packed green that adds lovely color and earthy flavor.

Serving Mac and Spinach Soup for Comfort

• Cozy Comfort Companion: Pair this creamy soup with a warm, crusty bread like sourdough or baguette to soak up every delicious drop.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the soup with grilled chicken strips, crispy bacon bits, or sautéed shrimp for an extra protein-packed meal that satisfies hunger.
• Fresh Green Sidekick: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's rich and creamy texture, creating a perfectly balanced dining experience.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan or add a dollop of creamy goat cheese on top to enhance the soup's already delightful cheesy flavor profile.

How to Store This Soup Mix

• Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing bacterial growth.
• Allow soup to cool completely at room temperature before sealing and storing in the refrigerator, maintaining optimal taste and texture.
• Store soup in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving slight space for expansion, where it can remain delicious for up to 3 months without compromising quality.
• Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth if needed to restore creamy consistency.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta instead of macaroni?

Yes, you can substitute macaroni with other short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or shells. Just ensure the cooking time remains similar to maintain the right texture.

• Is this soup suitable for vegetarians?

If you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, the soup becomes completely vegetarian-friendly. The recipe is easily adaptable for a vegetarian diet.

• Can I make this soup dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, replace heavy cream with coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a similar cheesy flavor.

• How can I add more protein to this soup?

You can incorporate cooked chicken, white beans, or crispy bacon bits to increase the protein content. These additions will complement the creamy spinach soup perfectly.

Hearty Macaroni And Spinach Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy macaroni and spinach soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending Italian culinary traditions with nutritious greens. Hearty ingredients combine for a satisfying meal that warms souls and nourishes bodies.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 ½ cups macaroni pasta
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (45 g)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing their fragrant essence.
2. Create Roux: Sprinkle flour over the aromatic base, whisking vigorously to form a smooth golden mixture. Toast for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste, creating a robust flavor foundation.
3. Build Liquid Base: Slowly pour in broth while continuously whisking, creating a silky smooth liquid. Incorporate heavy cream and seasonings (thyme, basil, nutmeg, salt, pepper), bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook Pasta: Add macaroni to the simmering liquid, reducing heat and cooking for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
5. Finalize Soup: Fold in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt completely. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts and integrates seamlessly into the soup. Adjust consistency with additional broth if needed, and season to taste.
6. Serve: Ladle the creamy soup into bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while piping hot, offering a comforting and nutritious meal.

Notes

Prevent Lumpy Roux: Whisk flour continuously and evenly while cooking to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth base without clumps.

Control Pasta Texture: Watch macaroni closely during cooking, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure perfectly al dente pasta without overcooking.

Spinach Wilting Technique: Add spinach at the end of cooking to maintain vibrant green color, fresh nutrients, and prevent wilting into a mushy texture.

Cream Separation Prevention: Add cream gradually and maintain low-medium heat to prevent curdling, ensuring a silky, smooth soup consistency throughout cooking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 363
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 66 mg