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
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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