One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
A hearty and comforting one-pot meal that combines the delicious flavors of a classic cheeseburger with creamy macaroni and cheese. It's an easy, family-friendly soup perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (divided)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (divided)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 2 medium carrots (sliced)
- 2 celery stalks (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook 1 lb of ground beef with ½ tsp of oregano and ½ tsp of thyme until browned. Drain the fat and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, melt 3 tbsp of butter. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Make the base: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle in ¼ cup of flour and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Simmer the soup: Slowly whisk in 4 cups of chicken broth. Return the beef to the pot with the remaining oregano and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in 2 cups of elbow macaroni and 1 cup of heavy cream. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
- Finish with cheese: Remove from the heat. Slowly stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until smooth. Stir in 1 tsp of white balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot!
Notes
- Shredding your own cheese will result in a much creamier soup.
- Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Don't boil the soup after adding the cheese, or it may separate.
- For a thinner soup, add a little extra chicken broth.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions for a fresh pop of color.