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Creamy Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

creamy cheeseburger macaroni soup - featured image

A nostalgic, creamy soup that combines the flavors of a cheeseburger with tender elbow macaroni in a rich, cheesy broth. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni (about 100 g)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth (960 ml), low sodium preferred
  • 1 cup whole milk (240 ml), or 2% milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 200 g)
  • 4 oz cream cheese (115 g), cut into chunks
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onion softens and becomes translucent.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika or cayenne. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let flavors meld.
  4. Slowly pour in beef broth and milk, stirring as you go. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
  5. Add elbow macaroni, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender but slightly firm.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Add cream cheese chunks and stir until melted and smooth. Gradually add shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until fully melted and soup is creamy.
  7. Simmer soup on low for another 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. If too thick, stir in a splash of milk or broth to loosen.
  8. Serve warm, optionally topped with extra shredded cheese or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta to avoid mushiness. Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting. Slowly melt cheese on low heat to prevent grainy texture. Season in layers and taste before final seasoning. Deglaze pot after browning beef for extra flavor. Reheat gently with milk to restore creaminess if soup thickens.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, creamy soup, macaroni soup, comfort food, easy dinner, one pot soup, weeknight meal