#1347 - Macaroni and Cheese Soup

(by Shirley McNevich)

3 quarts chicken broth
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots (coin shaped pieces)
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
1lb. shell shaped pasta
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
6 cups milk
1lb. cubed Velveeta cheese
1 tsp. dry mustard

In a large pot add chicken broth over medium heat--add celery, carrots, chopped onions and chopped green peppers. Cook and stir until carrots are tender--it should be boiling at this point. Add pasta shells, salt and pepper and cook for 4 minutes, then remove from heat. Place a lid on the pot and let stand until pasta is done (about 10 minutes). In a saucepan over low heat add butter--melt. Add flour--stir until smooth. Add milk slowly--stir. Add dry mustard--stir. Add cubed cheese--stir and cook until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove saucepan from heat and add the cheese mixture to the pasta mixture--stir. If not hot enough, simmer for a few minutes and stir again.