If you have ever dreamed of combining all the deliciousness of a cheeseburger and the comforting warmth of a creamy soup, then this One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a hearty, flavorful hug in a bowl, blending juicy ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese, tender macaroni, and crisp veggies into a luscious, cheesy broth. Plus, the crispy sesame seed bun croutons on top add a fabulous crunch that will have you savoring every spoonful. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it becomes an instant favorite for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe truly shine is the simple yet essential lineup of ingredients. Each one brings its own magic, from the aromatic herbs to the gooey, melted cheese, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that dance together perfectly in every bite.
- 1 lb. ground beef: Provides the hearty, savory base that makes this soup feel like a cheeseburger in a bowl.
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided: Adds a fragrant, earthy note enhancing the overall flavor depth.
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided: Brings subtle herbal hints that balance the richness of the cheese and beef.
- 6 tablespoons butter: Enriches the soup and helps soften the veggies for a silky mouthfeel.
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced: Offers sweetness and texture, building the perfect aromatic foundation.
- 1 cup sliced carrots: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- 1 cup sliced celery: Lends a fresh crunch and mild bitterness to balance the cheese.
- 5 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses bold, savory warmth to elevate every spoonful.
- 4 tablespoons flour: Thickens the broth for that perfect creamy consistency.
- 8 cups chicken broth: The soup’s flavor carrier, creating a savory and hearty base.
- 8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni: The classic pasta shape so essential for that nostalgic cheeseburger soup vibe.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Introduces luscious creaminess that makes the soup irresistibly smooth.
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded: Brings a punch of cheesy, melty goodness throughout the soup.
- 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar: Adds a subtle brightness that balances richness and enhances flavor complexity.
- Kosher salt: To taste, essential for bringing all the elements together.
- Fresh cracked pepper: Adds a little kick and warmth to round out the flavors.
- 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces: Transformed into crispy croutons, these provide a delightful contrasting texture.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Used to crisp the bun croutons for that golden finish.
- Sliced green onion, for garnish: Adds fresh color and a mild oniony bite on top.
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish: Extra melty cheese topping to make every spoonful even more indulgent.
How to Make One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Step 1: Crisp the Sesame Seed Bun Croutons
Start by heating your oven to 400 degrees and laying out your diced sesame seed buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss so every piece gets that golden touch. Baking them until crisp gives you the perfect crunchy croutons that add a wonderful texture contrast to your creamy soup.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Next, heat a large pot over medium and add your ground beef with half of the oregano and thyme, plus salt and pepper. Breaking the beef apart as it cooks creates those tender, flavorful morsels that truly mimic the satisying taste of a cheeseburger. Once browned, set it aside but keep all those tasty drippings in the pot.
Step 3: Sauté Your Veggies in Butter
In the same pot, melt the butter without cleaning out the browned bits—they hold big flavor! Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery along with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook on medium-high, stirring occasionally. This step softens the vegetables and brings out their natural sweetness, creating the heart of your soup’s flavor.
Step 4: Add Garlic and Herbs
Turn the heat to medium and stir in minced garlic, along with the remaining oregano and thyme. Cooking these just a minute more releases their essential oils, enhancing the soup’s aromatic profile and layering in more complexity.
Step 5: Thicken with Flour
Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir constantly for one minute. This forms a roux that will help thicken the soup, ensuring that luscious, creamy texture that makes this recipe so comforting and indulgent.
Step 6: Deglaze and Add Broth and Macaroni
Add a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up those flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom—this step captures every ounce of flavor. Then stir in the rest of the chicken broth, uncooked elbow macaroni, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring this mixture to a simmer on medium-high heat.
Step 7: Simmer Until Pasta is Perfect
Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the macaroni is just al dente. Stir every now and then to keep the noodles from sticking, creating a wonderfully thick and hearty soup base.
Step 8: Finish with Cream, Cheese, and Beef
Remove the pot from heat and stir in heavy cream and shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and silky smooth. Add the white balsamic vinegar for a little tang that brightens the whole pot. Finally, fold the cooked ground beef back into the soup and warm it over medium heat for a couple of minutes to marry all the flavors beautifully. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
How to Serve One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Topping your bowl with sliced green onions and extra shredded cheddar cheese will add bursts of fresh sharpness and ooey-gooey cheesiness. Don’t forget those crispy sesame seed croutons you baked earlier—they’re the perfect finishing touch that elevates the texture to the next level.
Side Dishes
While this soup is a meal in itself, pairing it with a simple side salad or some roasted vegetables provides a fresh contrast and balances the rich, cheesy flavors. Garlic bread or a crisp green salad with vinaigrette also works wonderfully for those who want to keep it classic.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this soup in small bread bowls for individual portions that impress guests. You could also add sliced pickles or a drizzle of ketchup or mustard on top to mimic true cheeseburger flavors. For kids or a crowd, offer a “build-your-own” topping bar with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or bacon bits to customize each bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This soup stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it an ideal make-ahead meal that you can enjoy reheated throughout the week.
Freezing
While freezing cheesy soups can sometimes affect texture, you can freeze this One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe for up to 2 months. Just be mindful that the pasta may soften a bit more upon thawing, so consider undercooking it slightly if you plan to freeze.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat to prevent the cheese from separating. Add a splash of broth or cream if the soup seems too thick. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and maintain that luscious consistency.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese in this One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar is classic for cheeseburger flavors, you can experiment with cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a smoky gouda to add different flavor nuances.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or hearty mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, then follow the rest of the recipe as is.
Can I cook this soup in a slow cooker?
It’s best prepared on the stovetop to control the cooking of ingredients like the pasta and to build flavor layers, but you can brown the beef and sauté veggies first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker to simmer gently for 2-3 hours before adding cheese and cream at the end.
What can I do if my soup is too thick?
Simply stir in a bit more chicken broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. The soup is meant to be creamy but still comfortably spoonable, so feel free to adjust.
How do I get crispy croutons if I don’t want to bake the buns?
You can toast the diced buns in a skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat, stirring frequently until they’re golden and crispy. This method is quicker and equally delicious.
Final Thoughts
This One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe has quickly become a beloved classic in my kitchen, and I’m confident it will find a special place in yours too. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and fun, richly flavorful yet approachable enough to make any chilly evening feel warm and satisfying. So grab your pot, gather those simple ingredients, and dive into this cozy bowl of cheeseburger happiness. Your taste buds will thank you!
Print
One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty One Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is a comforting blend of ground beef, tender macaroni, and a creamy, cheesy broth. Infused with aromatic herbs and vegetables, it’s topped with crispy homemade sesame seed croutons for an irresistible texture contrast. Perfect for a family meal, this soup combines the best flavors of a cheeseburger in a warm, satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Broth and Dairy
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni
- 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sliced green onion, for garnish
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Croutons: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread 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 about 10 minutes until the croutons are crispy and golden on the outside. Set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef, 1 teaspoon each of oregano and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Brown the beef, crumbling it as it cooks until thoroughly cooked. Remove beef from pot and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add butter and melt over medium heat—no need to remove beef drippings for extra flavor. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and season with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until tender.
- Cook Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and stir in minced garlic, remaining oregano, and thyme. Cook for an additional minute to release the herbs’ fragrance.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for one more minute while stirring frequently to form a lightly toasted roux.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour a splash of chicken broth into the pot, using a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. These bits add rich flavor to the soup base.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Stir in the remaining chicken broth and uncooked elbow macaroni. Season again with a pinch of salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer Soup: Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the macaroni is al dente, stirring occasionally to keep noodles from sticking.
- Finish Soup: Remove the pot from heat and stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. Add white balsamic vinegar and return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Reheat over medium heat for a few minutes until the beef is warmed through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top generously with sesame seed bun croutons. Garnish with sliced green onions and extra shredded cheddar cheese. Enjoy your comforting cheeseburger-inspired soup!
Notes
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with a blend of cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different flavor.
- If desired, use low-fat milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter soup, though it will be less creamy.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta and buns.
- To save time, use pre-cooked or leftover ground beef but add spices to taste.
- The white balsamic vinegar adds acidity to balance richness—do not skip it.
