Dinner for 4

Mac and Cheese Soup

Name: Mac and Cheese Soup
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup elbow macaroni; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 cloves garlic; 1 cup milk; 4 oz spreadable cream cheese; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

$4.61for 430 minServes 4

This creamy soup cooks macaroni in broth, then combines it with garlic, milk, cream cheese, cheddar, and Swiss cheese.

Photo: spendwithpennies.com

What it costs

Pick your city to see which ingredients are on sale

Ingredient	Amount	Cost
	Pasta, 4.5 oz$0.10/oz typical	4.5 oz	$0.44Typical price
	Butter, 1 oz$0.40/oz typical	1 oz	$0.40Typical price
	Garlic, 0.25$0.75 each typical	0.25	$0.15Typical price
	Milk, 8.5 oz$0.04/oz typical	8.5 oz	$0.34Typical price
	Cream cheese, 4 oz$0.30/oz typical	4 oz	$1.20Typical price
	Cheddar and shredded cheese, 4 oz$0.30/oz typical	4 oz	$1.20Typical price
	Swiss, 2 oz$0.40/oz typical	2 oz	$0.80Typical price
Total for the servings shown		$4.61

Swaps

Swap cheddar and shredded cheese for mozzarellaabout the same price
Swap milk for almondabout $0.01/oz more at typical prices
Swap butter for margarine and vegan butterabout $0.15/oz less at typical prices
Swap pasta for egg noodlesabout $0.04/oz more at typical prices

Pantry staples you likely have

FlourDried spices (cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano)Mustard, mayo, ketchupSalt and pepper

Not included in the cost.

30 minstart to table
Easydifficulty
4servings as written
$typical cost tier

American Kid-friendly Budget Family Appetizers Side dishes Lunches Dinners Snacks Cold-weather comfort Winter

Typical price

$1.15 per serving$4.61 for 4

City Store

Typical price: Salefork's estimate of an everyday US shelf price for each ingredient. Pick your city to price it from this week's ad.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup elbow macaroni
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cloves garlic
1 cup milk
4 oz spreadable cream cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Steps

Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring until tender.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, cook the garlic for 1 minute, then whisk in the flour.
Whisk in the milk and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened.
Stir the cream cheese, cheddar, Swiss cheese, onion powder, mustard, salt, and pepper into the sauce.
Pour the cheese sauce into the pot and simmer for 2 minutes until creamy and hot.