why make this recipe
This soup feels like a warm hug from your skillet. It tastes like a cheeseburger, but it comes in a spoon. I love it for busy nights. It comes together fast and fills the whole house with good smells. If you love hearty bowls, try my high-protein bowl for another easy weeknight option.
how to make Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup: Creamy Comfort in Every Bowl
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 the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook until soft. Stir often.
- Add the garlic and cook one minute. Watch it so it does not burn.
- Add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon. Brown it until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir. Cook one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring. This keeps lumps away.
- Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Stir to combine.
- Add the matchstick carrots and the uncooked macaroni. Stir. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.
how to serve Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup: Creamy Comfort in Every Bowl
Ladle into bowls while the cheese is melty. Add a sprinkle of extra cheddar or chopped fresh parsley. I love serving this with a simple green salad or crunchy pickles. If you want another cozy bowl to try later, my bacon cheddar gnocchi soup is a great companion.
how to store Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup: Creamy Comfort in Every Bowl
Cool the soup to room temperature before storing. Transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of milk or broth if the soup thickens too much. For make-ahead meal ideas and other time-saving recipes, you can peek at my 12 quick, easy low-carb high-protein meals.
tips to make Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup: Creamy Comfort in Every Bowl
Use freshly grated cheese. It melts better and gives a silkier soup. Do not overcook the pasta in the soup. Slightly undercook if you plan to reheat leftovers. Swap ground turkey for a lighter version. For more cozy ideas for chilly nights, check out my collection of winter dinner recipes.
variation (if any)
Make it vegetarian by using plant-based crumbles and vegetable broth. Add diced potatoes or bell peppers for extra texture. Stir in a handful of spinach at the end for color. If you want a simple dessert with little fuss, try pairing this with my 5‑minute cottage cheese cinnamon roll mug cake.
FAQs
Q: Can I use whole milk instead of heavy cream?
A: Yes. Whole milk will work. The soup will be a bit thinner and less rich. You can add a tablespoon of butter for extra creaminess.
Q: Can I cook the pasta separately?
A: Absolutely. Cook the pasta al dente, drain, and add it to bowls when serving. This helps if you plan to store leftovers.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: I do not recommend freezing after adding cream and cheese. The texture can change and separate. Freeze the base (without dairy) and add cream and cheese when you reheat.
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Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A creamy and hearty soup that combines the flavors of a cheeseburger with the comfort of macaroni soup, perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Onion Powder, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup Matchstick Carrots
- 1 1/2 cups Uncooked Macaroni Noodles
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook until soft, stirring often.
- Add the garlic and cook for one minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and brown until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir, cooking for one minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika, and stir to combine.
- Add the matchstick carrots and uncooked macaroni, then bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of extra cheddar or chopped fresh parsley when serving. Pair with a simple green salad or crunchy pickles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: soup, macaroni, cheeseburger, comfort food, easy recipe
