One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup 🧀🍔🍲
Imagine the creamy indulgence of mac and cheese meeting the hearty satisfaction of a cheeseburger—all in one comforting bowl of soup. This One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup combines childhood nostalgia with grown-up flavors for the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
The magic of this dish lies in its perfect balance: tender elbow macaroni swimming in a rich, cheesy broth with savory ground beef, crisp vegetables, and just the right blend of seasonings. Each spoonful offers the familiar flavors you love from a classic cheeseburger, transformed into a warm, satisfying soup that will become an instant family favorite.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: A perfect harmony of rich cheddar cheese, savory beef, and subtle tomato undertones with a hint of pickle tang.
- Texture: Creamy broth with al dente pasta, tender beef crumbles, and just the right amount of vegetable crunch.
- Aroma: The mouthwatering scent of melted cheese and browned beef with aromatic onions and garlic.
- Visual Appeal: Golden cheese sauce with colorful vegetable flecks and perfectly cooked pasta.
- Skill Level Needed: Beginner-friendly with simple techniques anyone can master.
- Special Equipment: Just one large pot or Dutch oven needed for easy preparation.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup is perfect for beginners with straightforward steps and common ingredients. The most challenging part is achieving the perfect cheese sauce consistency, which we’ll guide you through.
- Category: Hearty main dish soup that works as a complete meal or satisfying starter.
- Cuisine: American comfort food with influences from classic diner fare and homemade mac and cheese traditions.
- Cost: Budget-friendly at approximately $1.50 per serving using common pantry staples.
- Season: Ideal for fall and winter but delicious year-round thanks to its crowd-pleasing flavors.
- Occasion: Perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or whenever you need a hearty, comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
The taste and texture of this soup will transport you back to childhood while satisfying adult cravings. The combination of creamy cheese sauce with savory ground beef creates a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. Kids adore it, adults crave it, and everyone will be asking for seconds.
From a convenience standpoint, this one-pot wonder means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. You’ll brown the beef, sauté the vegetables, cook the pasta, and make the cheese sauce all in the same pot. Less dishes means more time enjoying your meal with family or relaxing after dinner.
Nutritionally, this soup offers a good balance of protein from the beef and dairy, complex carbs from the pasta, and vitamins from the vegetables. While indulgent, you can easily adapt it to be lighter or packed with extra veggies depending on your dietary needs.
For entertaining, this cheeseburger soup is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s easy to scale up for larger groups. Serve it with an array of toppings so guests can customize their bowls—just like building their perfect burger.
Cost-effectiveness makes this recipe a winner too. Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, basic vegetables, and store-brand cheeses keeps the price low while delivering restaurant-quality flavor you’d pay much more for elsewhere.
The Recipe
One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: diced pickles, crumbled bacon, extra cheese, chopped green onions
Directions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to combine, cooking for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add milk, diced tomatoes (with juices), and uncooked macaroni.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in shredded cheese until completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with desired toppings like diced pickles, crumbled bacon, or extra cheese.
Recipe Notes
- For a thicker soup, let it stand for 5 minutes before serving—it will continue to thicken.
- Substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version.
- Gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour blend work well for dietary restrictions.
- Leftovers will thicken in the fridge—thin with a little milk when reheating.