Easy One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe For Cold Days

Comfort meets convenience in this delectable one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup that combines all the flavors of a classic burger with creamy pasta.

Hearty and satisfying, this recipe blends ground beef, tender pasta, and rich cheese into a single, mouthwatering dish.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing soup that comes together in minutes.

Every spoonful delivers a burst of familiar cheeseburger taste, packed with robust seasonings and melted cheese.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and minimal cleanup, making it a go-to meal for busy families.

Warm, filling, and absolutely irresistible, this soup turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Prepare to be amazed by how quickly you can transform basic pantry staples into a comforting meal everyone will love.

What Makes This Cheeseburger Soup Fun

• Crafted as a one-pot wonder, this recipe eliminates multiple dishes and complicated steps, making meal preparation a breeze for busy home cooks.
• Transforms classic cheeseburger and mac and cheese flavors into a hearty, satisfying soup that delivers nostalgic taste with a gourmet twist.
• Offers flexible ingredients and toppings, allowing home cooks to adjust seasonings, cheese types, or add extra vegetables to suit personal preferences.
• Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and casual gatherings where everyone craves a delicious, filling dish that combines familiar flavors in an exciting new format.

Ingredients for One-Pot Burger Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that brings the classic cheeseburger taste to the soup.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: A classic mirepoix that provides a deep, aromatic foundation for the soup's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and robust taste that enhances the overall depth of the dish.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps to sauté the vegetables.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and creamy texture in the soup.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp and melty cheese flavor that defines the cheeseburger essence.

• Dried Oregano, Dried Thyme: Adds herbal notes and complexity to the soup's flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the soup's liquid base and adds depth of flavor.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the soup and create a smooth, creamy consistency.
• White Balsamic Vinegar: Provides a bright, tangy accent to balance the rich flavors.

• Macaroni Noodles: The classic pasta that gives the soup its hearty structure.
• Sesame Seed Buns: Transformed into crispy croutons for a crunchy topping.
• Green Onions: Offers a fresh, sharp garnish to brighten the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to coat the bun croutons for a golden, crispy texture.

Cooking Instructions for Cheeseburger Soup

Step 1: Prepare Crunchy Sesame Bun Topping

Cut sesame seed buns into small cubes.

Spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

Toss to coat evenly.

Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes until golden and crispy.

Step 2: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a large pot over medium heat.

Add ground beef with dried oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Cook while breaking meat apart with a spatula until fully browned.

Remove beef from pot and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetable Base

In the same pot, melt butter.

• Diced onion
• Sliced carrots
• Sliced celery

Season with salt and pepper.

Cook on medium-high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables soften and caramelize.

Step 4: Bloom Aromatics

Reduce heat to medium.

Add minced garlic, remaining oregano, and thyme.

Stir and cook for one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 5: Create Soup Roux

Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stirring constantly to coat.

Cook for another minute to eliminate raw flour taste and help thicken the soup.

Step 6: Build Liquid Base

Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping up browned bits from bottom.

Add uncooked macaroni noodles.

Stir and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Step 7: Cook Pasta

Reduce heat to low.

Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking, until pasta reaches al dente texture.

Step 8: Finish Soup

Remove pot from heat.

Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.

Add white balsamic vinegar and reserved ground beef.

Return to medium heat for two minutes to warm through.

Season with salt and pepper.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Ladle soup into bowls.

Tips for a Creamy One-Pot Dinner

• Use fresh thyme and oregano instead of dried herbs for a more vibrant, aromatic taste profile.
• Watch the macaroni closely during simmering to ensure it stays perfectly al dente and doesn't become mushy.
• Remove the pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
• Make homemade croutons in advance and store in an airtight container for instant soup topping convenience.
• Swap macaroni with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a lighter, low-carbohydrate version of the soup.

Store and Reheat Cheeseburger Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing croutons separately.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore creamy consistency if needed.
• Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add fresh croutons just before serving to maintain crunchiness.

What Pairs With Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

• Boost Burger-Soup Flavor Companions
• Pair with Crisp Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that cuts through the soup's richness, complementing the hearty beef and cheese flavors with its refreshing carbonation.
• Match with Tangy Pickle Salad: Create a light side salad using pickled cucumbers, red onions, and fresh dill to provide a zesty, acidic contrast against the creamy, warm soup.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Vegetable Slaw: Prepare a colorful slaw with roasted bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage dressed in a light vinaigrette to add crunch and brightness to the meal.
• Complete with Chilled Lemon Sparkling Water: Offer a clean, citrusy beverage that helps cleanse the palate between rich, cheesy soup bites and provides a refreshing counterpoint.

Ways to Change Up Cheeseburger Soup

• Gluten-Free Deconstructed: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Use gluten-free macaroni and ensure all ingredients like broth are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a complete vegetarian version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Adaptation: Replace macaroni with riced cauliflower or cauliflower florets. Reduce cooking time and monitor liquid absorption to maintain soup consistency.
• Dairy-Free Creamy Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Swap cheddar cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives for similar richness and flavor profile.

FAQs

• Is this soup nutritious?

This one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup combines protein from ground beef, vegetables like carrots and celery, and dairy from cheese and cream. It provides a balanced meal with multiple food groups in one comforting dish.

• Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch when thickening the soup. Also, use gluten-free macaroni noodles to ensure the entire recipe is gluten-free.

• What type of ground beef works best?

Choose ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for the most flavor. The fat content helps create a richer taste and keeps the meat juicy. Lean ground beef can work but might make the soup less flavorful.

• How can I add more vegetables to this soup?

You can easily incorporate additional vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. Add them during the vegetable sautéing stage to increase the nutritional value and add more texture to the soup.

One-pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup blends classic comfort with unexpected flavors. Hearty ground beef, creamy cheese, and tender pasta create a satisfying meal that brings warmth and excitement to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb ground beef

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, separated
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme, separated
• Kosher salt, as needed
• Freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Vegetables and Base Ingredients:

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

Dairy and Cream:

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces (226 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Liquid and Thickeners:

• 4 tablespoons flour
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar

Pasta and Garnish:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked elbow macaroni
• 4 sesame seed buns, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sliced green onion, for garnish
• Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cube sesame seed buns into 1-inch pieces, spread on parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and toss. Bake for 10 minutes until golden and crispy to create crunchy croutons.
2. Heat large pot over medium heat. Cook ground beef with dried oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper until thoroughly browned. Remove beef, leaving flavorful residue in pot.
3. Melt butter in same pot. Add onions, carrots, and celery with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and caramelize slightly.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Incorporate minced garlic and remaining herbs. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
5. Dust vegetables with flour, stirring continuously to coat. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create soup’s creamy base.
6. Pour chicken broth, scraping pot’s bottom to release browned bits. Add macaroni noodles and bring to simmer over medium-high heat.
7. Lower heat, simmer 5-7 minutes until pasta reaches al dente. Stir periodically to prevent sticking.
8. Remove from heat. Blend in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until smooth. Mix in white balsamic vinegar and reserved ground beef. Return to medium heat for 2 minutes to warm through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
9. Serve in bowls, garnishing with sesame bun croutons, sliced green onions, and additional cheese if desired.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting spices like adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra kick.
• Choose lean ground beef or swap with ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
• Make soup gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour and selecting gluten-free pasta.
• Create vegetarian version by replacing beef with plant-based crumbles or extra mushrooms for umami flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 565
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 85mg