One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

When I first discovered this cheeseburger macaroni soup recipe, I thought it sounded too good to be true – all the comfort of a classic cheeseburger and creamy mac and cheese in one bowl?

But let me tell you, after making this for my family countless times (and watching Emily go back for seconds and thirds!), this has become our go-to comfort food soup.

I remember the first time I made this during a particularly busy week when I needed something hearty that wouldn't require multiple pots and pans.

The beauty of this recipe is that everything cooks in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy dinner with the family.

Plus, who doesn't love the combination of ground beef, elbow macaroni, and melted cheddar cheese all swimming in a rich, creamy broth?

Speaking of hearty one-pot soups, if you're looking for another satisfying option, you'll absolutely love my kielbasa potato soup – it's another family favorite that delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort.

Why You Will Love This Hearty Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

• Quick and easy - Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
• One pot wonder - Everything cooks in a single pot for easy cleanup
• Kid-friendly - Combines all the flavors kids already love
• Hearty and filling - Perfect for cold nights when you need something substantial
• Customizable - Easy to add your favorite cheeseburger toppings
• Budget-friendly - Uses simple, affordable ingredients you probably have on hand

Simple Ingredients For Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

For The Soup:

• 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

For The Croutons:

• 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Garnish:

• Sliced green onion
• Additional shredded cheddar cheese

Step By Step Instructions For Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

Preparing The Sesame Seed Croutons

1. Heat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the sesame seed bun cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until they're golden and crispy on the outside.

Cooking The Ground Beef

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper.
3. Brown the ground beef, crumbling it with a spatula until it's cooked through.
4. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Building The Soup Base

1. Heat 6 tablespoons of butter in the same large pot over medium heat (no need to wipe it out or drain the grease – that's where all the flavor is!).
2. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and a large pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Adding The Aromatics

1. Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, remaining 1 teaspoon oregano, and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme.
2. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the flour and stir to coat all the veggies.
4. Cook for one more minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Creating The Broth

1. Add a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up all those yummy browned bits from the bottom.
2. Stir in the rest of the chicken broth and the uncooked macaroni noodles, along with another pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.

Cooking The Pasta

1. Once it begins to simmer, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
2. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Finishing The Soup

1. Remove the soup from heat.
2. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese until everything is melted and combined.
3. Add the white balsamic vinegar and the cooked ground beef back into the pot.
4. Heat the soup over medium heat for a couple of minutes until the beef is heated through.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve with those crispy sesame seed bun croutons and garnish with green onions and extra shredded cheddar cheese!

Storage & Reheating Your Delicious Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keep in mind that this macaroni cheeseburger soup will thicken considerably as it sits because the noodles continue to absorb the liquid.

When reheating, warm the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently.

You'll likely need to add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it back up to your desired consistency.

Season with salt and pepper before serving, as the flavors can mellow during storage.

Pro Tips For The Best Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

Shred your own cheese – I can't stress this enough!

Pre-shredded cheese is coated with cellulose to prevent clumping, which also prevents it from melting smoothly.

Taking those extra few minutes to shred your own sharp cheddar makes all the difference in texture.

Don't skip the deglazing step – Those browned bits at the bottom of the pot after cooking the beef and vegetables are pure flavor gold.

Make sure to scrape them up when you add that first splash of broth.

Watch your pasta timing – The elbow macaroni will continue cooking even after you remove the pot from heat, so aim for just barely al dente when you're ready to add the cream and cheese.

Have you ever tried making soup with pasta cooked directly in the broth? It's a game-changer for flavor absorption!

If you're planning to make this ahead of time, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it just before serving to maintain the best texture.

Similar to my chicken pot pie soup, the noodles can get a bit mushy if they sit too long in the liquid.

Variations For Your Cheeseburger Mac Soup

Want to switch things up? Here are some of my favorite additions:

• Crispy bacon pieces for extra smokiness
• Diced pickles for that classic cheeseburger tang
• Fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness
• Pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for some heat
• Diced tomatoes for a fresh veggie boost
• Sour cream swirled in at the end for extra richness

The beauty of this recipe is how adaptable it is to your family's preferences!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

Recipes You May Like

If you're loving this comforting cheeseburger soup with macaroni, you'll definitely want to try these other hearty favorites:

• Best Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe - Another creamy, one-pot wonder that's perfect for busy weeknights
• Tuscan White Bean And Kale Soup - A healthier but equally satisfying soup option
• Bacon Cheeseburger Soup Recipe - If you love this recipe, you'll go crazy for the bacon version!

Final Thoughts

This one pot macaroni cheeseburger soup has honestly become one of our most-requested meals around here. Emily asks for it at least once a week, and I don't blame her – it's pure comfort food magic!

The combination of hearty ground beef, tender vegetables, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked macaroni creates something that's way more than the sum of its parts. Plus, the fact that it all comes together in one pot means I can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes without creating a mountain of dishes.

I hope your family loves this cheeseburger macaroni soup as much as mine does. Don't forget to make those sesame seed croutons – they really do make it feel like you're eating a deconstructed cheeseburger! Save this recipe to Pinterest so you can find it easily when you need a quick, satisfying dinner solution.