Creamy Shell Soup

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Shell Soup, a velvety blend of tender pasta shells, hearty vegetables, and a rich, creamy broth. This soul-warming recipe combines aromatic garlic, onions, carrots, and celery with a luscious base of chicken broth, heavy cream, and milk, delivering a perfectly balanced flavor that’s sure to please. A touch of dried thyme and a bay leaf infuse the soup with depth, while Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley make for an optional but irresistible garnish. Perfect for busy weeknights with a prep and cook time of just 50 minutes, this simple yet luxurious soup serves six and is ideal for cozy family dinners. Whether you’re craving a satisfying bowl of creamy pasta soup or searching for a new twist on classic comfort food, this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups medium pasta shells
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the pasta shells in a large pot of salted, boiling water according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until melted. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 5

Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and for the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Stir in the heavy cream and milk, then season with salt and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, ensuring the soup does not boil, and let it simmer for 5 more minutes.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta shells to the soup and stir to combine. Let the soup heat through for 2-3 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls and, if desired, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Step 9

Serve warm and enjoy your cozy, creamy shell soup!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2788.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3529.5

Total Fat 159.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 402.6mg	0%
Sodium 6516.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 401.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.9g	0%
Total Sugars 47.1g
Protein 110.6g	0%

Vitamin D 107.4IU	0%
Calcium 1363.2mg	0%
Iron 12.7mg	0%
Potassium 3337.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.3%

Protein: 12.7%

Carbs: 46.0%