Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

Introduction

This Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is a hearty, creamy, and cheesy comfort food that comes together in just 30 minutes! It’s a delicious blend of seasoned ground beef, macaroni noodles, vegetables, and cheddar cheese, delivering all the flavors of a cheeseburger in a warm, cozy bowl. The soup is made in one pot and uses real ingredients, making it an easy, satisfying meal for the whole family.

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

For the Croutons:

• 4 sesame seed buns, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Garnish (Optional):

• Sliced green onion
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

For the Croutons:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place diced sesame seed bun pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until crispy on the outside.

For the Soup:

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and crumbled, then remove from the pan and set aside.
2. In the same pot, heat the butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, the remaining 1 teaspoon of oregano, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of thyme. Cook for another minute.
4. Add the flour and stir to coat the vegetables. Cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
5. Add a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.
6. Pour in the remaining chicken broth and add the uncooked macaroni noodles. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking.
8. Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
9. Add the white balsamic vinegar and the cooked ground beef back into the pot. Heat for a couple of minutes until the soup is warmed through.
10. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with sesame seed bun croutons and garnish with green onions and extra shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

Conclusion

This Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is the perfect one-pot meal that brings the comforting flavors of a cheeseburger into a creamy, cheesy soup. With the added texture of macaroni and savory beef, each bite is a hearty delight. Top it off with crispy sesame seed bun croutons for an extra cheeseburger-inspired crunch. Enjoy this warm, satisfying soup with your family, and feel free to get creative with additional garnishes to suit your taste!