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Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup featured image showcasing the hearty and delicious meal.

BEST CHEESEBURGER MACARONI SOUP

This Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup combines the delicious flavors of a cheeseburger with the comforting warmth of a soup. It's an easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe perfect for chilly evenings and customizable with your favorite toppings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 cup milk or half-and-half optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions
  • Optional toppings: crumbled bacon
  • Optional toppings: sour cream

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Ladle

Method
 

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  2. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, beef broth, water, dried mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  6. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Add more beef broth or water if needed.
  7. Cover and simmer for another 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is cooked through and tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat.
  9. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and the soup is creamy. If desired, stir in the milk or half-and-half for extra creaminess.
  10. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
  11. Ladle the Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite cheeseburger toppings, such as chopped green onions, crumbled bacon, and a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

For a leaner option, use ground turkey. Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack. Adjust spices to your liking; add red pepper flakes for heat. The soup can be made ahead and is even better the next day. It also freezes well. If the soup is too thick, add more broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered. Be careful not to overcook the macaroni. Add crumbled bacon for Bacon Cheeseburger Soup or diced jalapeños for Spicy Cheeseburger Soup.