Description
Hearty one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup blends classic comfort food with unexpected culinary magic. Creamy, rich flavors merge ground beef, pasta, and cheesy goodness into a delightful meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta and Grains:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, undrained
Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Liquids:
- 4 cups beef broth
Seasonings:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Diced pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, crumbling the meat while cooking. Incorporate chopped onions and minced garlic midway through browning. Cook until onions become translucent and beef is completely cooked, then eliminate excess fat if needed.
- Pour diced tomatoes and beef broth into the pot. Elevate to a gentle boil, then introduce elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring periodically until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.
- Remove pot from heat source. Gradually fold shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture, continuously stirring until cheese melts completely, creating a velvety, uniform consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to preference.
- Transfer soup into serving bowls. Embellish with classic burger accompaniments like chopped pickles, ketchup drizzle, or mustard swirl. Serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier soup version.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika during beef browning stage.
- Consider vegetarian transformation by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for similar texture and umami depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg