Cozy Mac & Cheeseburger Soup Recipe: A Joyful Comfort Bowl

Comfort meets innovation in this creamy macaroni cheeseburger soup that brings together the best of two beloved comfort foods.

Packed with ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, cheesy broth, this soup delivers a satisfying punch of flavor.

Every spoonful blends the classic taste of a cheeseburger with the warmth of a hearty soup.

Crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese add extra depth and texture to this crowd-pleasing dish.

The perfect one-pot meal comes together quickly and easily, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Serve this soup piping hot and watch as smiles spread around the table, promising a delicious and memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients to Create One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Ground Beef: Adds hearty, rich flavor and substantial protein to create a classic cheeseburger essence, selecting lean beef ensures less grease and more meaty texture.
• Chicken Broth: Provides deep, savory liquid base that enhances overall soup depth and cooking process.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend offering sweet, earthy undertones and nutritional complexity, choose fresh, firm vegetables for best texture.
• Garlic: Delivers bold, aromatic punch that elevates entire soup's flavor profile, fresh cloves provide most intense taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth sautéing foundation and adds rich, creamy undertone.
• All-Purpose Flour: Acts as thickening agent to develop soup's luxurious consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Introduces velvety smoothness and luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Delivers tangy, robust cheese flavor quintessential to cheeseburger experience, freshly grated cheese melts most effectively.

• Dried Oregano: Contributes Mediterranean herbal notes.
• Dried Thyme: Provides subtle, earthy background flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balanced, enhanced taste throughout cooking process.

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that captures soup's essence, cooks perfectly within liquid environment.

Tools to Make Cheeseburger Soup With Zero Mess

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire dish from start to finish.
• Spatula: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp knife: Helps dice vegetables precisely and mince garlic.
• Measuring spoons: Critical for accurately adding herbs and seasonings.
• Measuring cups: Important for measuring broth and other liquid ingredients.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding fresh sharp cheddar cheese.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and preventing ingredients from sticking.

Stir Up a Pot of Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Brown the Meat

Toss ground beef into a big pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in some oregano and thyme. Cook until the meat turns golden and crumbly. Scoop out the beef and set it aside for later.

• Wake Up the Veggies

Use the same pot to dance some butter around. Drop in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let them sizzle and soften for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

• Boost the Flavor

Toss in minced garlic and remaining herbs. Let everything mingle and release their aromatic for a minute.

• Create a Silky Base

Dust flour over the veggies, stirring quickly to coat. This will help thicken our soup and create a rich foundation.

• Build the Soup

Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any delicious brown bits from the bottom. Add uncooked macaroni and let everything simmer until pasta is tender.

• Make It Creamy

Pull the pot off the heat. Splash in heavy cream and sprinkle shredded cheddar, stirring until smooth and dreamy.

• Final Touch

Return the browned beef to the pot. Give everything a good stir. Taste and season as you like. Serve steaming hot and enjoy your comfort in a bowl!

Mix-Ins That Take This Soup to the Next Level

• Add crispy bacon bits or diced pickles for an authentic cheeseburger taste sensation.
• Prepare the soup base in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, adding fresh pasta when ready to serve to prevent soggy noodles.
• Use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner protein option, or swap in plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version. Replace dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives for lactose-free diets.
• Dial down herbs for sensitive palates and let children sprinkle their own cheese on top, making mealtime more interactive and fun.
• For extra crunch, top the soup with toasted breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, or homemade croutons just before serving to add a delightful textural contrast.

Serve Cheeseburger Soup With Toast or Just a Spoon

• Comfort Corner: Pile crispy bacon bits on top for an extra crunch that adds smoky flavor to each spoonful.
• Burger Lover's Dream: Sprinkle crushed hamburger-style pickles and diced raw onions for a classic cheeseburger taste sensation.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve alongside warm garlic bread or toasted brioche buns for perfect soup-dipping enjoyment.
• Veggie Boost: Top with fresh chopped green onions or chives to brighten the dish and add a light, fresh element.

Freeze or Fridge It — Cheeseburger Soup Reheats Like a Dream

• Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm soup gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick. Avoid high heat to prevent cheese from separating or pasta from becoming mushy.
• Divide soup into individual serving containers before storing. This allows easy single-serving reheating and prevents repeatedly warming entire batch, which can degrade flavor and texture.

FAQs

• What makes this soup different from traditional mac and cheese?

This recipe combines the flavors of a cheeseburger with mac and cheese in a comforting soup format, offering a unique twist on classic comfort foods with ground beef, pasta, and cheesy broth.

• Can I use a different type of pasta if I don't have elbow macaroni?

Yes, you can substitute elbow macaroni with other short pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or penne. Just ensure the cooking time remains similar to maintain the right pasta texture.

• Is this soup suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This one-pot soup stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheats easily. The flavors actually develop and become more rich overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead meal.

• Can I make this soup lighter or healthier?

You can reduce the fat content by using lean ground beef, low-fat cheese, and replacing heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. These substitutions will slightly change the richness but maintain the overall flavor profile.

Hearty Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup blends classic comfort food flavors in a single satisfying dish. Home cooks will savor rich beef, pasta, and cheese combined for a simple, delicious meal you can enjoy year-round.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth
• 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 8 oz (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 6 tbsps (85g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (150g) yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup (130g) carrots, sliced
• 1 cup (100g) celery, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbsps (30g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps dried oregano
• 2 tsps dried thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in a large pot over medium heat with dried oregano and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, crumbling meat until evenly browned. Set aside the cooked beef.
2. Vegetable Sauté: In the same pot, melt butter and add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook on medium-high heat until vegetables soften and caramelize, about 10 minutes.
3. Aromatic Infusion: Reduce heat, add minced garlic and remaining herbs. Allow aromatics to release their fragrance for one minute.
4. Flour Integration: Sprinkle all-purpose flour over vegetables, stirring to create a uniform coating. Cook for an additional minute to eliminate raw flour flavor.
5. Liquid and Pasta Incorporation: Pour chicken broth, scraping pot bottom to release browned bits. Add elbow macaroni and season with salt and pepper.
6. Pasta Cooking: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat. Cook pasta until al dente, approximately 5-7 minutes.
7. Cream and Cheese Finish: Remove from heat, stir in heavy cream and sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
8. Final Assembly: Return reserved ground beef to the pot, mixing thoroughly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
9. Serving: Ladle soup into bowls, garnishing with additional cheese or fresh herbs for enhanced presentation and flavor.

Notes

Manage Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is crumbled finely and browned deeply for maximum flavor development and texture consistency.

Control Pasta Cooking: Watch macaroni closely during simmering to prevent overcooking; aim for al dente texture to maintain structural integrity in the soup.

Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese off direct heat and stir gradually to prevent separation, creating smooth and creamy consistency without graininess.

Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version, use gluten-free flour and pasta for celiac-friendly adaptation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 940mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 90mg