There’s something about a warm bowl of soup that just feels like home. Whether it’s a cold winter evening or you’re craving comfort food after a busy day, One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is the answer. It combines the best of two world-famous dishes: macaroni and cheese and a juicy cheeseburger, all packed into a creamy, comforting soup. What’s better? It’s cooked in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
As a busy parent, I find that this recipe quickly became one of my go-to meals. The rich, cheesy flavor, combined with the savory taste of seasoned beef, is something the whole family loves. It’s simple, delicious, and the perfect meal for any occasion. Plus, there’s the bonus of using minimal dishes, which is always a win in my book!
Why I Love This Recipe
I still remember the first time I made this soup—it was a chilly Sunday evening, and I had no clue what to cook. I threw together what I had in the fridge, and to my surprise, my kids asked for seconds before I even sat down. That’s when I knew I had a keeper.
Ingredients You’ll Need for One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
Making this soup requires just a handful of ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to whip up this comforting meal:
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup carrots (diced)
2 cups beef broth
1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
How to Make One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup: Step-by-Step
1: Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir occasionally, ensuring it browns evenly. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the beef to avoid an overly greasy soup.
2: Sauté the Vegetables
To the beef, add the diced onion, garlic, and carrots. Sauté everything for about 3-5 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent. This step will fill your kitchen with the most wonderful savory aroma, and it’s where the soup starts to come alive!
3: Add the Broth and Macaroni
Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it’s simmering, stir in the elbow macaroni. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender and has absorbed the flavors of the broth. This should take around 8-10 minutes. The macaroni will begin to soak up the savory goodness of the beef and broth.
4: Stir in the Milk, Seasonings, and Cheese
Once the macaroni is cooked, it’s time to add the milk, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together, and let it heat through for another 2-3 minutes.
The final touch is the shredded cheddar cheese. Gradually stir it in, allowing the cheese to melt completely, turning the soup into a creamy, cheesy masterpiece.
5: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is well combined and creamy, your One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is ready to serve! Ladle it into bowls, and for an extra touch, top with additional shredded cheese or even some crispy beef bacon bits. Serve with a side of crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Why This One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Is a Winner
Quick and Easy: It’s a simple recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy nights when you don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen.
One-Pot Convenience: As someone who loves a good one-pot meal (because let’s face it, who likes dishes?), this recipe is a dream. You won’t need to dirty multiple pots and pans.
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love the cheesy, beefy goodness. The macaroni makes it extra fun, and the soup has the kind of flavors that bring everyone back for seconds.
Versatile: You can easily tweak the recipe to your liking. Add some diced tomatoes for extra flavor, or throw in some spinach or kale for added greens.
Comforting and Filling: This soup is not only satisfying but also filling. It’s a perfect meal for any time of year, especially during colder months when you crave something warm and hearty.
Personal Tip: Make It Your Own
A while ago, I decided to add a bit of spice to my version of this soup by tossing in some diced jalapeños. The combination of the creamy cheese with the heat from the peppers gave the soup a whole new dimension. If you like a bit of heat, I highly recommend trying it – or you could swap out the Worcestershire sauce for hot sauce for an even bolder flavor!
Serving Suggestions and Variation
Add Some Crunch: If you love a bit of texture, try topping your soup with croutons or a sprinkle of crispy fried onions.
Turn It Into a Casserole: If you want to take this dish in a different direction, once the soup is ready, transfer it to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F to make a cheesy casserole.
Vegan Version: For a plant-based take, swap the beef for lentils or crumbled tofu, and use dairy-free cheese and milk. You’ll still get that comforting cheeseburger flavor with a lighter twist.
Cheesy, hearty, and oh-so-easy — happy eating!
One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1.5 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced carrots to the pot. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and the soup is creamy.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with additional shredded cheese or crispy bacon bits.