Of course! The One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food mashup. It takes all the beloved flavors of a cheeseburger and a bowl of creamy mac and cheese, and combines them into a cozy, hearty, and incredibly easy soup.
This is a true one-pot wonder, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
This recipe is creamy, cheesy, loaded with savory ground beef and tender pasta, and finished with classic “burger” toppings.
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Soup:
· 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
· 1 pound ground beef (80/20 is ideal for flavor)
· 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
· 4 cups (32 oz) beef broth
· 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
· 1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
· 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
· 1 teaspoon dried parsley
· 1/2 teaspoon paprika
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
· 2 cups whole milk, half-and-half, or a combination
· 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving
· 1/2 cup shredded Velveeta or American cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
For Serving (The “Burger” Bar):
· Crispy cooked and crumbled bacon
· Dill pickle slices or relish
· Diced tomatoes
· Shredded lettuce or iceberg lettuce ribbons
· Thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease, if desired.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Slowly pour in the beef broth and the canned diced tomatoes with their juices, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Let it cook, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking, for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Add Dairy: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk or half-and-half. Heat through, but do not boil, as high heat can cause the milk to curdle.
- Melt the Cheese: Turn off the heat. Gradually add the shredded cheddar and Velveeta (if using), a handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and smooth before adding the next handful. The residual heat is enough to melt the cheese without making it grainy.
- Final Adjustments: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If the soup is too thick, you can thin it with a little more broth or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve Immediately: Ladle the soup into bowls and let everyone top their portion with their favorite “burger” toppings like bacon, pickles, diced tomato, lettuce, and extra cheese.
Tips & Variations
· Cheese is Key: Using a combination of a good melting cheese (like Velveeta or American) and a flavorful cheese (like sharp cheddar) gives you the best of both worlds: a supremely creamy base with real cheese flavor.
· Don’t Boil the Dairy: This is the most important step for a smooth soup. Once you add the milk and cheese, keep the heat very low or off.
· Pasta Note: The pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. If you have leftovers, the soup will thicken significantly. Just add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to loosen it up.
· Vegetable Boost: Feel free to add other vegetables with the onion. Diced celery, carrots, or bell peppers would be delicious.
· Spice it Up: For a “Western Burger” twist, add a 4oz can of diced green chiles with the tomatoes. For a kick, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
· Ground Meat Swap: You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat with great results. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly.
This soup is the very definition of a family-friendly, satisfying meal in a bowl. Enjoy