Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
why make this recipe
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup gives you warm, cheesy comfort in one pot. It cooks fast, feeds a family, and uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand. If you like easy weeknight meals with big flavor, try the one-pan cheeseburger pie for another simple dinner idea.
introduction
This soup tastes like a cheeseburger in a bowl. It has browned beef, onions, garlic, small pasta, and creamy cheese broth. The carrots add a little sweet bite. The soup is rich but easy to make and easy to change if you want.
how to make Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir to coat. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add the matchstick carrots and dried seasonings. Bring to a simmer and add the uncooked macaroni. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 8–10 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Add the shredded cheddar and parmesan a little at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. For a complete meal idea, you can pair this soup with a light salad or try a side like the lemon pecorino crusted chicken for a fancy yet simple plate.
Ingredients :
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Can substitute with butter)
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Ground turkey or chicken can be used)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion (Diced, shallots can be used)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced, fresh preferred)
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour (Cornstarch is a gluten-free alternative)
- 4 cups Chicken Broth (Vegetable broth is a vegetarian swap)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Half and half or whole milk can be used)
- Salt (To taste)
- Pepper (To taste)
- Onion Powder (To taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (Adjust to taste)
- 1 cup Matchstick Carrots (Fresh or frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups Uncooked Macaroni Noodles (Any small pasta shape can be used)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Consider mixing different cheese varieties)
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese (Pecorino Romano is a flavorful substitute)
Directions :
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Sprinkle flour over the beef and stir for 1 minute to cook the raw flour taste.
- Slowly add chicken broth while stirring to make a smooth sauce.
- Add matchstick carrots, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, then add uncooked macaroni noodles.
- Cook 8–10 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Lower heat and stir in heavy cream.
- Add shredded cheddar and parmesan a little at a time, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot.
how to serve Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
Serve the soup hot in bowls. Top with extra shredded cheddar, chopped fresh parsley, or a small drizzle of hot sauce. Add crusty bread, crackers, or a simple green salad to round the meal.
how to store Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
Cool the soup to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of broth or milk if the soup thickens too much. You can freeze the soup without the cream for up to 2 months; add cream when reheating.
tips to make Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
- Brown the beef well for more flavor. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir the flour into the cooked beef to avoid lumps before adding broth.
- Add pasta last and do not overcook; pasta will soak up more liquid as it sits.
- Use sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor.
- For meal prep ideas, see the quinoa chicken meal prep bowls if you want make-ahead protein bowls instead of soup.
variation
- Turkey or chicken: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter soup.
- Vegetarian: Use plant-based beef substitute and vegetable broth, and use cornstarch instead of flour.
- Extra veggies: Add bell peppers, peas, or corn for more color and texture.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeño for heat.
FAQs
Q: Can I use whole milk instead of heavy cream?
A: Yes. Whole milk or half-and-half works but the soup will be a bit thinner and less rich.
Q: Can I cook pasta separately?
A: Yes. Cook pasta separately and add it to bowls when serving to avoid soggy pasta if you plan leftovers.
Q: Is this freezer-friendly?
A: Freeze without the cream and cheese. When reheating, add cream and cheese fresh for best texture.
Q: Can I make this on the stove top only?
A: Yes. This recipe is made on the stove in one pot.
Conclusion
This Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is comfort food made simple. For another take on a cheesy, saucy hamburger soup, check out One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup – NO VELVEETA! and for a potato-forward creamy hamburger soup idea, see Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup – The Kitchen Magpie.
Print
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
A warm, cheesy soup that tastes like a cheeseburger in a bowl. Quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Can substitute with butter)
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Ground turkey or chicken can be used)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion (Diced, shallots can be used)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced, fresh preferred)
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour (Cornstarch is a gluten-free alternative)
- 4 cups Chicken Broth (Vegetable broth is a vegetarian swap)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Half and half or whole milk can be used)
- Salt (To taste)
- Pepper (To taste)
- Onion Powder (To taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (Adjust to taste)
- 1 cup Matchstick Carrots (Fresh or frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups Uncooked Macaroni Noodles (Any small pasta shape can be used)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Consider mixing different cheese varieties)
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese (Pecorino Romano is a flavorful substitute)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Sprinkle flour over the beef and stir for 1 minute to cook the raw flour taste.
- Slowly add chicken broth while stirring to make a smooth sauce.
- Add matchstick carrots, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, then add uncooked macaroni noodles.
- Cook for 8–10 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Lower heat and stir in heavy cream.
- Add shredded cheddar and parmesan a little at a time, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
Serve the soup hot in bowls topped with extra shredded cheddar, chopped fresh parsley, or hot sauce. Pair with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: soup, cheeseburger, macaroni, comfort food, easy weeknight meal
