One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup
Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of pure comfort in the form of One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup. This delightful fusion dish combines the hearty goodness of a cheeseburger with the soothing, creamy texture of macaroni and cheese, all in a single pot. Indulge in the perfect balance of savory, cheesy, and satisfying flavors with every spoonful.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❓
This one-pot wonder is a game-changer for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. The combination of ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a creamy, cheesy broth creates a dish that’s both comforting and craveable. The best part? It all comes together in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing your time. Whether you’re looking for a hearty family meal or a cozy solo dinner, this recipe delivers on both flavor and convenience.
The contrasting textures of the tender macaroni, the juicy ground beef, and the velvety cheese sauce make every bite an absolute delight. Plus, this recipe is incredibly accessible, with most of the ingredients being pantry or freezer staples. And the best news? It’s easily adaptable to suit various dietary needs or preferences, making it a crowd-pleasing choice for any occasion.
🍽️ Ingredients
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
The beauty of this One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup is that most ingredients are pantry or freezer staples. The combination of ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a creamy, cheesy broth creates the comfort food-inspired flavor profile that has made cheeseburger-inspired recipes perennially popular.
👨🍳 Cooking Instructions
• Step 2: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
• Step 3: Pour in the beef broth and stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender.
• Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth. Slowly pour the milk-flour mixture into the pot, stirring constantly, to create a creamy, thickened broth.
• Step 5: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through.
⏱️ Timing Overview
• Cooking time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes
Compared to traditional cheeseburger-inspired dishes that can take up to an hour to prepare, this One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup saves you 50% of your cooking time while delivering similar flavors.
👩🏻⚕️ Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 6 servings):
• Protein: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fat: 21g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 776mg
These one-pot macaroni and cheeseburger soup recipes provide approximately 54% of your daily protein requirements and 26% of your daily carbohydrate needs, making them not just delicious but nutritionally valuable as well.
🔄 Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
• Lower-carb version: Swap the elbow macaroni for cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles to reduce the carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-free adaptation: Use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk in place of regular milk, and opt for a dairy-free cheddar cheese alternative.
• Added protein: Stir in cooked lentils, chickpeas, or diced grilled chicken to boost the protein content.
• Boost vegetables: Add diced bell peppers, spinach, or diced tomatoes to increase the vegetable content.
These modifications can reduce calories by up to 20% or adapt the recipe for specific dietary needs without compromising the fundamental flavor profile of the One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
• Pair the soup with a fresh garden salad or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
• Complement the cheeseburger soup with a side of roasted vegetables, such as broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
• For a family-friendly dinner, serve the soup alongside baked potato wedges or crispy tater tots.
• Create a cozy cheeseburger-inspired platter with the soup, sliced pickles, and additional shredded cheese for topping.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Forgetting to thicken the broth: The milk-flour mixture is crucial for creating the creamy, cheeseburger-inspired broth. Don’t skip this step or the soup will be too thin.
• Using the wrong cheese: Stick to a good-quality cheddar cheese for the best flavor and melting properties. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, which can contain anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
• Not adjusting seasoning: Taste the soup as you go and add more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed to balance the flavors.
• Letting it simmer too long: Once the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through, don’t let it continue to simmer, as this can cause the cheese to break down and the texture to become grainy.
🧊 Storing Tips for the Recipe
These One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup recipes retain their quality remarkably well:
• Freezing unbaked: Prepare the soup base (without the macaroni) and allow it to cool completely. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stovetop and stir in the uncooked macaroni. Cook until the pasta is tender.
• Freezing baked: Allow the completed soup to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then gently reheat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
• Reheating: When reheating the soup, do so over low heat, stirring frequently, to prevent the cheese from separating or the macaroni from becoming mushy.
❓ FAQs
Can I make this One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! This soup is a great make-ahead option. You can prepare the entire recipe, let it cool, and then store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, simply reheat it on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Can I substitute the ground beef for a different protein?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or even cooked, diced chicken in place of the ground beef. The flavor profile will be a bit different, but the dish will still be delicious. You may need to adjust the seasoning slightly to account for the different protein.
Is this recipe gluten-free or dairy-free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten-free or dairy-free. However, you can easily adapt it to fit those dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta or substitute cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles. For a dairy-free adaptation, use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk and a dairy-free cheddar cheese alternative.
How can I prevent the cheese from becoming grainy or separating?
To prevent the cheese from becoming grainy or separating, be sure to add the milk-flour mixture slowly and stir constantly while it’s simmering. This helps the cheese melt smoothly and integrate into the broth. Additionally, avoid letting the soup simmer for too long after the cheese has melted, as this can cause it to break down.
Can I add any extra ingredients to this recipe?
Absolutely! This One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup is highly versatile. You can stir in cooked lentils, chickpeas, or diced grilled chicken to boost the protein content. You can also add diced bell peppers, spinach, or diced tomatoes to increase the vegetable content. Get creative and customize the recipe to suit your family’s tastes!
🎉 Final Thoughts
These One Pot Macaroni and Cheeseburger Soup recipes represent the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and presentation. Whether you’re serving them as a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, they’re sure to impress with their creamy, cheesy goodness and hearty, comforting appeal. The versatility of this recipe allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these one-pot wonders demonstrate that sophisticated flavors don’t require complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a little bit of care in the cooking process. So why not add this delightful fusion dish to your recipe repertoire and enjoy the ultimate in comfort food indulgence?
