One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
This One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup combines the comforting flavors of a cheeseburger with creamy, cheesy soup loaded with ground beef, vegetables, and tender elbow macaroni. Finished with crispy homemade croutons from toasted sesame seed buns and garnished with green onions and extra cheddar, this hearty soup is perfect for a cozy meal that’s easy to make in just one pot.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
For Croutons
- 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sliced green onion, for garnish
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
- 6 tablespoons butter (for sautéing vegetables and roux)
- 4 tablespoons flour (for thickening)
- Prepare Croutons: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the diced sesame seed buns in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the bread is crispy on the outside.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef along with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Brown the beef while crumbling it until fully cooked, then remove from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot (no need to clean), melt 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add 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 vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Reduce heat to medium, then stir in minced garlic along with the remaining 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Cook for an additional minute to release the aromatics.
- Make Roux: Add 4 tablespoons flour to the vegetables and stir to coat everything evenly. Cook the mixture for one more minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning and to activate the flour’s thickening properties.
- Deglaze Pot: Pour a splash of chicken broth into the pot and scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits, adding flavor to the soup.
- Simmer Soup: Add the remaining chicken broth and uncooked elbow macaroni. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Cook Pasta: Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cook for 5–7 minutes until the macaroni is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking to the bottom.
- Finish Soup: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar, then return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Place the pot back on medium heat and warm the soup for a couple of minutes until the beef is heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the toasted sesame seed bun croutons. Garnish with sliced green onions and additional shredded cheddar cheese as desired. Enjoy your comforting one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup!
Notes
- Using white balsamic vinegar adds a mild tang without overpowering the soup; you can substitute with apple cider vinegar if unavailable.
- To save time, prepare the croutons while the soup ingredients are cooking.
- For a richer flavor, use sharp cheddar cheese and do not overcook the pasta to maintain a nice bite.
- This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the soup will be less creamy.
Keywords: macaroni cheeseburger soup, cheeseburger soup, one pot soup, ground beef soup, creamy macaroni soup