One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Introduction

One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup combines the comforting flavors of a cheeseburger with the creamy heartiness of a noodle soup. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for chilly nights when you want something satisfying and flavorful with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked pepper
• 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sliced green onion, for garnish
• Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread the diced sesame seed bun pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat evenly. Bake for 10 minutes until crispy on the outside to make croutons.
2. Step 2: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spatula until cooked through. Remove from the pot and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. There is no need to remove the beef drippings; they add flavor.
4. Step 4: Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the vegetables soften.
5. Step 5: Lower heat to medium. Stir in the minced garlic, remaining 1 teaspoon oregano, and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme. Cook for another minute to release the aromas.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for one minute, stirring frequently to avoid lumps.
7. Step 7: Add a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
8. Step 8: Pour in the remaining chicken broth and add the uncooked macaroni noodles. Season with another pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
9. Step 9: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
10. Step 10: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
11. Step 11: Add the white balsamic vinegar and the cooked ground beef back into the soup. Return to medium heat and warm through for a couple of minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
12. Step 12: Serve the soup topped with crispy sesame seed bun croutons, sliced green onions, and additional shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For added richness, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream or use a mix of sharp and mild cheddar cheeses.
• Try adding diced pickles or a dash of Worcestershire sauce to capture more classic cheeseburger flavor.
• Use gluten-free flour and pasta to make this soup gluten-free.
• To make the croutons extra flavorful, toss them with garlic powder or smoked paprika before baking.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the soup from sticking. Add a splash of broth or cream if the soup thickens too much during storage.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add extra vegetables or plant-based meat substitutes to keep it hearty.

What type of cheese works best in this soup?

Sharp cheddar cheese is ideal for its melting quality and bold flavor, but you can also use a combination of cheeses like mozzarella or Colby for a different taste and texture.

One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 110 reviews

This One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup combines the rich flavors of a cheeseburger with the comforting heartiness of a creamy noodle soup. Ground beef, aromatic herbs, fresh vegetables, elbow macaroni, and sharp cheddar cheese create a luscious, easy-to-make dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Crispy sesame seed bun croutons add a delightful crunch and burger bun nostalgia to every spoonful.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Seasonings

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 5 cloves garlic, minced

Soup Base and Pasta

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar

Croutons and Garnishes

• 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sliced green onion, for garnish
• Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare Croutons: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread the diced sesame seed bun pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the croutons are crispy and golden on the outside.
2. Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef along with 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until fully browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot (no need to clean it), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized, about 10 minutes.
4. Add Garlic and Herbs: Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the minced garlic and the remaining teaspoon of oregano and thyme. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. Create Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir to coat everything evenly. Cook for one minute more while stirring frequently to cook off the raw flour taste.
6. Deglaze: Pour a splash of chicken broth into the pot and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits—these add great flavor.
7. Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the remaining chicken broth and add the uncooked elbow macaroni. Season with another pinch of salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer.
8. Simmer Pasta: Once simmering, reduce heat to low. Let the soup gently simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
9. Finish the Soup: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in heavy cream and shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add white balsamic vinegar to brighten the flavors.
10. Add Ground Beef: Return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Reheat the soup gently over medium heat for a couple of minutes until the beef is warmed through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
11. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy sesame seed bun croutons, sliced green onions, and additional shredded cheddar cheese as garnish. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors!

Notes

• Using sesame seed buns for croutons adds authentic burger flavor and crunch.
• White balsamic vinegar enhances the soup’s flavor brightness without overwhelming the cheeseburger taste.
• Stir the soup occasionally while simmering to prevent macaroni from sticking to the pot bottom.
• This soup can be made a day ahead and reheated; it may thicken and can be thinned with additional broth or cream.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
• Sharp cheddar cheese can be swapped with other cheese varieties like Colby jack or mozzarella for different flavors.

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, macaroni soup, one pot meal, comfort food, ground beef soup, creamy soup, easy dinner