I’m keeping up with my recipes. Today, let’s go through one of the simplest soups you can make with a few ingredients you usually have on hand (maybe minus the parm and heavy cream). It’s also a really affordable recipe you can buy with aldi-only ingredients!
Recipe:
- 6 cups of chicken broth or chicken stock
- 12 oz heavy cream
- 3 medium sized or 2 large carrots (or any other vegetables you see fit)
- 2 tbs garlic powder
- 1 tbs onion powder
- 2 cups of noodles or pasta
- 2 chicken breasts or chicken thighs worth of chicken
- 1/2 cup of Italian cheese
- salt to taste
To begin with, set your crockpot to low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Or just watch it and then do the next step after that cook time.
To this, add 6 cups of broth. I made stock the night before from a Costco chicken. As you can see, it’s still gelatinous here. This was prepped the night before, put in the fridge, and then was set to go in the morning before work!
At this point, you can also add your chicken (cooked or uncooked) – about 2 chicken breasts worth or 1/2 a lb to 3/4 a pound – and any veggies you have. I added local carrots of all colors (so good) and a Costco rotisserie chicken but you can use any cubed or shredded chicken breasts or thighs here. Chop your carrots ahead into small pieces – whatever you prefer here is fine. Add your seasonings. Now, set it and forget it.
After the cook time, set to keep warm until about half an hour before you’re ready to eat. At that point, cook your noodles. You can use anything. I used some gold cut pasta I got at Aldi. I recommend 2 cups of noodles. As you’re waiting for your water to boil, turn your slow cooker to high. Dump in 12 oz of cream. Grate and dump in about 1/2 a cup of your preferred Italian cheese. The aldi parm or asiago will work well. I recommend you don’t spend a ton n this cheese but do hand grate it because pre-grated will not melt appropriately. Whisk in cheese and cover to cook.
After your pasta is boiled, toss in and turn off your crock pot. Adjust taste with salt-as needed. You will have an amazing soup!
The price breakdown is as follows:
- Broth – $1.50 (or nothing should you make it yourself)
- Heavy cream – $1.25
- Pasta or noodles – $1.00
- Chicken breasts- $1.25 (or nothing if you had leftover roast chicken)
- Carrots – $1.50 for 3 local carrots
Total price? Under $7.00. You can usually get a meal and leftovers out of this soup so it is a real bargain!
The Mama Politic 