Description
This cozy One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food mashup—where the creamy, cheesy goodness of macaroni meets the savory richness of a classic cheeseburger. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a perfect easy dinner or quick lunch idea for the whole family. Packed with tender ground beef, elbow pasta, veggies, and melted cheddar cheese, it’s a soul-warming, satisfying one-pot recipe that’s ideal for chilly nights or busy weeknights. Whether you’re looking for dinner ideas, a hearty soup, or simply an easy recipe to add to your rotation—this one checks every box.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 cup elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 ½ cups milk or half-and-half
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. In the same pot, melt butter. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to form the roux.
4. Gradually pour in beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add milk or half-and-half and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Stir in elbow macaroni and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until pasta is tender. Stir occasionally.
6. Return cooked ground beef to the pot. Add shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring until melted and creamy.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot, garnished with parsley or chives if desired.
Notes
Shred your own cheese for the smoothest melt—pre-shredded cheese may create a grainy texture.
For leftovers, undercook the pasta slightly to prevent it from becoming mushy when reheated.
You can swap beef with ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: easy dinner, one-pot recipe, cheeseburger soup, comfort food, quick soup, creamy soup, family meal, dinner ideas