Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is the kind of comforting dinner everyone loves, filled with tender pasta, plenty of cheese, and savory ground beef!
Author’s Notes
Cheesy, Beefy, & Totally Perfect
I’ve shared before how nostalgic Hamburger Helper is for me (thanks, Mom!), and this chili mac is another one of those comfort classics, all in one pot too. There’s just something about colder weather that makes me crave cozy, hearty meals and plenty of pasta.
So I decided to riff on my popular sausage potato soup and create a cheeseburger-inspired version packed with pasta. Elbows, of course, because they’re the ultimate comfort pasta.
This Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup checks every box. It’s creamy with a subtle cheese flavor and loaded with pasta, savory ground beef, and tender veggies. It’s just so dang good, especially with cheesy bread for dipping!
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup Ingredients
| Ingredients | Helpful Notes & Tips |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | Choose 93/7 lean beef for the best flavor without excess grease. Brown it deeply for rich flavor. Alternatively, use ground Italian sausage. |
| Mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery) & Garlic | Dice the veggies small so they soften quickly and evenly. Don’t skip sautéing; it’s the flavor base. |
| Elbow Pasta | Any similar-sized pasta will work. Cook it a little less than the package suggests since it will keep cooking in the hot broth. |
| Broth, Milk & Cream | Use good-quality chicken broth for flavor, whole milk for richness without being too heavy, and cream for that smooth, creamy mouthfeel. |
| Cheddar Cheese & Sour Cream | Freshly shred the cheese so it melts evenly. Stir both in off the heat for the smoothest finish. If the Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is too hot, the cheese can become grainy. |
How To Make Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
- Brown Beef: Cook ground beef in olive oil until browned and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: Melt butter, cook veggies to tender, add garlic and seasonings.
- Add Pasta & Broth: Pour in broth, bring to a boil, add pasta, and cook until just tender.
- Make Cream Base: In another pot, melt butter, whisk in flour, then add milk & cream.
- Combine & Serve: Add cream mixture, beef, and cheese to the soup. Stir & serve.
Storage
Use a wire skimmer to remove the pasta and store it separately from the Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup. Keep leftovers in airtight containers for 3–4 days. Reheat gently over low heat and add a splash of broth to loosen if needed.
More Comforting Meals
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is pure comfort in a bowl with cheesy broth, tender pasta, and rich, savory beef in every bite!
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7, or use ground Italian sausage
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 2-1/4 cups mirepoix see note 1
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1-1/4 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard optional
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese see note 2
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- Crusty buttered bread optional, for serving
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the ground beef, season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper, and cook until browned and crumbled. Transfer the beef to a bowl.
- In the same pot, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add the mirepoix, season with 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and sauté for 7-8 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, parsley, basil, and mustard powder, and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 2 minutes less than the package directions (it will cook more!)
- In a separate medium pot, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook, stirring often, until nicely thickened (see note 3). Reduce the heat to low, then whisk in heavy cream and sour cream until smooth.
- Pour the cream mixture and cooked beef back into the soup. Stir and cook until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low and add cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.Troubleshoot: If the soup is too thin, increase the heat slightly and simmer until it reaches your desired thickness. If it’s too thick, stir in a little broth to loosen it up.
- Ladle into bowls and serve warm with buttered toasted bread, if desired.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Use equal parts diced onion, carrot, and celery (3/4 cup each) or buy a mix labeled “mirepoix” in the produce section or frozen vegetable section of the store.
Note 2: Use freshly shredded sharp or extra sharp Cheddar for the best flavor and melt.
Note 3: To check sauce thickness, coat the back of a wooden spoon and draw a line with your finger. If the line holds, it’s ready.
Storage: The pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so use a wire skimmer to remove it and store separately from the soup. Keep leftovers in airtight containers for 3–4 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of broth to loosen if needed.
Storage: The pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so use a wire skimmer to remove it and store separately from the soup. Keep leftovers in airtight containers for 3–4 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of broth to loosen if needed.Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 694kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 1076mg | Potassium: 690mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4015IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 431mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What To Serve With Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup:
- Buttered Bread or Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up that creamy broth.
- Simple Garden Salad: A light, crisp side to balance the richness.
- Homemade Dinner Rolls: Soft and fluffy, great for dipping.
- Roasted Veggies: Try broccoli, green beans, or carrots for extra color.
- Pickles or a Dill Cucumber Salad: Adds a fun “burger” touch.
Variations
Change Things Up!
- Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup: Stir in diced bacon for a smoky flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of hot sauce or diced jalapeños for a little heat.
- Veggie-Loaded: Mix in corn, peas, or spinach for extra color.
- Pickle Lover’s: Top with diced pickles.
- Tater Tot Topping: Spoon the soup into bowls and top with crispy tater tots for a fun “burger and fries” vibe.
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup Tips
- Grate Your Own Cheese: It melts smoother than pre-shredded.
- Use Warm Dairy: Let milk and cream sit out before adding to prevent curdling.
- Add Cheese Slowly: Stir in small handfuls for a smooth texture.
- Adjust Seasoning Last: Cheese adds salt, so taste right before serving.
