Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

My latest kitchen adventure combines two comfort classics with this macaroni cheeseburger soup that promises serious flavor excitement.

Meat lovers will appreciate how ground beef melds perfectly with creamy cheese and tender pasta.

Hearty ingredients create a robust meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Cozy winter nights demand something warm and filling like this innovative soup blend.

Rich textures and bold seasonings make each spoonful feel like a culinary celebration.

Unexpected combinations often yield the most delightful surprises in cooking.

We promise this recipe will become your new go-to comfort food solution.

What Makes Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Filling and Fun

• Perfect for busy families craving a quick, hearty dinner solution in under 30 minutes.
• Combines classic cheeseburger and soup elements, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser that satisfies both kids and adults.
• Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in a single pot, reducing kitchen mess and saving precious time after meal preparation.
• Uses affordable, accessible ingredients like ground beef, macaroni, and common pantry staples, delivering maximum taste with minimal expense.

What You Need to Make Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Ground Beef: Classic protein for a hearty cheeseburger flavor profile, lean beef works best for less grease.
• Beef Broth: Provides deep meaty foundation and additional flavor complexity for the soup.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese adds rich, tangy cheeseburger essence, shredded for smooth melting.
• Milk: Creates creamy texture and helps blend cheese into silky soup base.
• Butter: Supports sautéing vegetables and creates smooth roux foundation.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Traditional soup mirepoix providing sweet, earthy background notes and nutritional depth.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances meaty flavor with subtle aromatic undertones.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing overall taste profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create thick, hearty soup consistency through roux technique.
• Macaroni: Classic pasta shape reflecting cheeseburger sandwich inspiration.

• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex umami depth to soup.
• Parsley or Green Onions: Fresh garnish for bright color and light herbal note.
• Dill Pickle Slices: Authentic cheeseburger-style garnish with tangy crunch.

How to Make Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Step-by-Step

Step 1: Brown The Savory Beef

Grab a large pot and heat it up. Toss in ground beef and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Break the meat into tiny crumbles while cooking until it turns a gorgeous golden brown. Drain away any extra fat and set the beef aside.

Step 2: Dance With Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery

Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and slightly translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Create A Silky Roux

Drop in remaining butter and shower flour over the vegetables. Stir everything together, cooking for 1-2 minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 4: Craft The Liquid Magic

Slowly pour beef broth into the pot, stirring continuously. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Welcome The Pasta

Add uncooked macaroni to the pot. Cover and let it bubble away for 10-12 minutes until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.

Step 6: Introduce Creamy Richness

Lower the heat. Stir in milk and shredded cheddar cheese until everything melts into a luxurious, smooth consistency.

Step 7: Present Your Masterpiece

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions. Serve with crisp dill pickle slices on the side for that authentic cheeseburger zing.

Tips for Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Manage Meat Moisture: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy soup and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing flavor profile.
• Control Pasta Perfection: Add macaroni towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain its ideal texture without becoming mushy.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Remove soup from direct heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for a lactose-free version, and use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly adaptation.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar and smoked gouda to elevate the cheeseburger soup's depth and complexity.

Best Storage and Reheating for Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or broth to restore creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain soup's original texture.

Pairing Options for Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Select a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel that complements the rich, meaty flavors of the cheeseburger soup, cutting through its creamy texture while enhancing the robust beef notes.
• Create a tangy coleslaw with crisp cabbage, carrots, and a light vinegar dressing to provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup, balancing its creamy and savory profile.
• Choose an amber ale or hoppy IPA that matches the soup's bold flavors, with its malty undertones and slight bitterness perfectly offsetting the cheese and beef combination.
• Serve with extra dill pickle slices or quick-pickled onions as a garnish, adding a zesty, acidic element that cuts through the soup's richness and mimics classic cheeseburger accompaniments.

Soup Variations for Macaroni Cheeseburger Lovers

• Gluten-Free Makeover: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free macaroni to create a celiac-friendly version of the soup.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for a plant-based cheese flavor.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap macaroni with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, and reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining the classic cheeseburger soup taste.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled firm tofu, and add extra mushrooms for a hearty, meatless alternative.

Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets creativity in this macaroni cheeseburger soup, blending classic burger flavors with creamy pasta goodness. Hearty ingredients mingle in a rich broth, delivering a satisfying meal that brings warmth and excitement to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced

Dairy and Cheese:

• 4 tablespoons (4 tbsp) butter, divided
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Pasta and Flour:

• 8 ounces (8 oz) elbow macaroni, uncooked
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Broth and Seasonings:

• 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
• Dill pickle slices, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat a spacious cooking vessel and transform raw ground beef into a savory, crumbled mixture seasoned with aromatic spices. Eliminate excess lipids by carefully draining the cooked protein.
2. Within the same culinary container, melt butter and introduce finely chopped aromatic vegetables. Gently coax onions, carrots, and celery into a tender, translucent state through careful sautéing.
3. Incorporate additional butter and delicately dust the vegetable landscape with flour. Stir methodically, allowing the mixture to dance and eliminate any raw flour undertones through gentle heat exposure.
4. Orchestrate a liquid symphony by gradually introducing beef broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Enhance with a splash of Worcestershire sauce for depth, then guide the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Introduce uncooked macaroni to the bubbling liquid terrain. Secure with a lid and allow the pasta to transform, becoming tender and absorbing the rich surrounding flavors.
6. Reduce thermal intensity and integrate milk, creating a creamy foundation. Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until a silky, uniform consistency emerges, with cheese completely melted and integrated.
7. Transfer the luxurious soup into serving vessels. Elevate the presentation with delicate herb garnishes and accompany with crisp dill pickle slices, capturing the essence of a classic cheeseburger in liquid form.

Notes

• Customize the beef by using lean ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier twist without compromising flavor intensity.
• Reduce sodium content by selecting low-sodium beef broth and limiting additional salt during seasoning stages.
• Enhance creamy texture by whisking cheese slowly and ensuring low heat prevents cheese from separating or becoming grainy.
• Experiment with cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or smoked gouda to create unique flavor profiles matching personal preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg