Macaroni soup is a simple, comforting dish found in many cuisines around the world—from Italian pastina soup to Filipino sopas to American chicken noodle soup made with macaroni. It’s a versatile, budget-friendly meal that can be made in under 30 minutes.
Here’s a basic, delicious creamy macaroni soup recipe (similar to Filipino Sopas), followed by several variations.
Basic Creamy Macaroni Soup
Ingredients:
| Amount | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Elbow macaroni (or any small pasta) |
| 2 tbsp | Butter or oil |
| 1 small | Onion, finely chopped |
| 3 cloves | Garlic, minced |
| 2 cups | Cooked chicken, shredded (optional) |
| 4 cups | Chicken or vegetable broth |
| 1 cup | Milk or evaporated milk (for creaminess) |
| ½ cup | Carrots, diced |
| ½ cup | Celery or bell pepper, diced |
| Salt & pepper | To taste |
| 2 tbsp | Fresh parsley or spring onions, chopped (garnish) |
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
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Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions (usually 7–9 minutes) until al dente.
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Drain and set aside. (If adding directly to soup, cook 1 minute less so it doesn’t get mushy.)
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
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In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
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Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Step 3: Build the Soup
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Add shredded chicken (if using) and broth. Bring to a simmer.
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Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Add Milk & Pasta
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Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk or evaporated milk. Do not boil after adding milk (it may curdle).
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Add the cooked macaroni. Stir gently.
Step 5: Serve
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Ladle into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or spring onions.
5 Popular Variations
| Variation | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 🇵🇭 Filipino Sopas | Add hot dogs (sliced), shredded chicken, and use evaporated milk. Top with crushed crackers. |
| 🍅 Tomato Macaroni Soup | Add 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. Omit milk. Use Italian seasoning. |
| 🥣 Chicken Macaroni Soup | Same as basic but use bone-in chicken thighs for richer broth. Remove chicken bones before serving. |
| 🧀 Cheesy Mac Soup | Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar or Parmesan at the end (off heat). |
| 🌱 Vegan Mac Soup | Use vegetable broth, coconut milk instead of dairy, and add chickpeas or tofu for protein. |
Pro Tips for Perfect Macaroni Soup
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Cook pasta separately | Prevents soup from becoming starchy and mushy |
| Add pasta at serving time | If storing leftovers, keep pasta separate to avoid sogginess |
| Don’t boil milk | High heat causes dairy to curdle and separate |
| Use small pasta shapes | Elbows, ditalini, shells, or stars fit well on a spoon |
| Make it hearty | Add beans, corn, peas, or leftover rotisserie chicken |
Quick Stovetop Timeline (30 minutes)
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 0 min | Start boiling water for pasta |
| 5 min | Sauté onion, garlic, veggies |
| 10 min | Add broth and chicken, bring to simmer |
| 15 min | Add pasta to boiling water |
| 20 min | Drain pasta, add milk to soup |
| 25 min | Combine pasta and soup, heat through |
| 30 min | Serve with garnish |
Storage & Reheating
| Method | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Store soup and pasta separately for up to 3 days |
| Reheat | Warm soup on stovetop, add fresh-cooked pasta |
| Freezer | Freeze broth base only (pasta becomes mushy). Add fresh pasta after thawing. |
One-Pot Version (Lazier Method)
If you don’t mind slightly starchier soup:
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Sauté aromatics in a large pot.
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Add broth, bring to boil.
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Add uncooked macaroni directly to broth.
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Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Reduce heat, stir in milk, season, and serve.
⚠️ This method creates a thicker, creamier soup because the pasta releases starch.
Would you like me to share:
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A specific Filipino Sopas recipe (with hot dogs and evaporated milk)?
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An Italian pastina soup (tiny star pasta, egg drop style)?
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A slow cooker or instant pot version?