Okay, so imagine your absolute favorite comfort foods having a baby. Seriously! We’re talking about the cheesy, gooey goodness of macaroni and cheese meeting the savory, meaty perfection of a classic cheeseburger. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, guess what? It’s totally real, and it’s all wrapped up in one glorious pot of soup! If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to whip up something ridiculously delicious without making a mountain of dishes. And trust me, this One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate champion of that mission.

The very first time I threw this together, it was a total “clean out the fridge” moment, and honestly, it blew my mind. It’s rich, it’s hearty, and every single spoonful is like a warm hug. Plus, the fact that you only need one pot? Game changer, especially on busy weeknights. This isn’t just soup; it’s a whole meal that feels like a treat but is surprisingly simple to pull off. Get ready to fall in love!

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Honestly? Because it’s basically everything good in the world in one bowl! But if you need a few more reasons to get hyped about this soup, here you go:

Super Easy Cleanup: One pot, people! That’s it. Less washing up means more time for, well, eating the soup!
Serious Comfort Factor: It’s like your favorite cozy blanket in soup form. Warm, cheesy, and totally satisfying.
Picky Eater Approved: What’s not to love about mac and cheese and cheeseburgers? It’s a win-win for almost everyone!

Gathering Your Ingredients for One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this magic happen. The beauty of this soup is that the ingredients are pretty straightforward, stuff you probably already have or can grab easily. You’ll want to have everything measured and ready to go because once you start, it moves pretty quickly!

Here’s your shopping list for this cozy bowl of goodness:

Ground Beef: We’re starting with a pound. Go for something with a little fat for flavor, but you’ll drain it off later.
Onion & Garlic: A medium onion, chopped up nice and small, and a couple of cloves of garlic, minced. These are your flavor base!
Broth, Milk, and Water: You’ll need 4 cups of beef broth, 2 cups of milk (any kind works!), and 2 cups of water. This is your soup base, so get it ready.
Seasoning: A teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning, half a teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper. Simple but effective!
Elbow Macaroni: Two cups of dried elbow macaroni. This is where the “macaroni” part of the name comes in!
Cheese, Glorious Cheese!: Two cups of shredded cheddar cheese and half a cup of shredded Monterey Jack. The melty, cheesy goodness that brings it all together. Make sure you shred it yourself if you can – it melts way better!

Essential Equipment for One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Okay, since this is a one-pot wonder, you don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets. Just a few basics from your kitchen will do the trick! Here’s what you’ll want handy:

A really good, large pot or Dutch oven. This is your workhorse!
A sturdy spoon for stirring.
A colander to drain the beef (unless you’re just carefully tilting the pot!).
Measuring cups and spoons, of course!

See? Told you it was simple!

How to Prepare Your One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens. Don’t be intimidated; it’s really just a few simple steps. Seriously, if I can do it while probably juggling a million other things, you’ve got this! Just follow along, take your time (but not too much time, it’s fast!), and you’ll have a big pot of deliciousness ready in no time.

We’re going to build flavor layer by layer, and the best part? It’s all happening in that one glorious pot you chose. Keep that sturdy spoon handy, and let’s dive in!

Browning the Beef for Your One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

First things first, grab that big pot and put it over medium heat. Toss in your pound of ground beef. Break it up with your spoon and let it brown nicely. You want it all cooked through, no pink bits! Once it’s done, carefully drain off any extra grease. Nobody wants a greasy soup, right? Now, toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic. Let those cook for a few minutes until they get soft and smell amazing. This is the start of all that good flavor!

Cooking the Macaroni in Your One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Okay, building on those yummy flavors! Pour in your beef broth, milk, and water. Give it a good stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that’s extra flavor right there! Now, stir in your Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring this whole mixture up to a nice, gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, add your elbow macaroni. Give it another stir so it doesn’t stick. Reduce the heat now and let it simmer. You’ll need to stir every so often to keep the pasta from clumping. Let it cook until the macaroni is tender, usually about 10-12 minutes. Taste a piece to be sure!

Achieving Creaminess in Your One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

The grand finale! Your macaroni should be perfectly cooked now. Turn off the heat or reduce it to super low. Stir in both your shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir, stir, stir! Watch as that cheese melts and makes the soup wonderfully creamy and cheesy. Keep stirring until it’s all smooth and gorgeous. Don’t walk away during this part – you want that perfect melt! And just like that, you’ve got a pot of pure comfort ready to go!

Tips for Perfect One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Okay, so you’ve made the soup – awesome! But here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way to make sure it’s *extra* perfect every single time. Think of these as your secret weapon for soup success!

First off, that consistency. Sometimes, depending on your pasta or how long it simmers, it might get a little thicker than you like. No stress! Just add a splash more milk or beef broth until it’s just right for you. Start with a little bit, stir, and add more if needed. Also, don’t be afraid to get creative with toppings! Think about what you love on a cheeseburger. Pickles? A sprinkle of extra cheese? Crumbled bacon? Go wild! It really takes it to the next level. And seriously, shred your own cheese if you can – it makes *such* a difference in how smooth and creamy the soup gets.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Part of the fun of cooking is making a recipe your own, right? And this soup is super forgiving! While the recipe I gave you is my absolute favorite way to make it, you can definitely play around a little bit depending on what you have or what you like.

For the cheese, feel free to swap out the Monterey Jack for something else melty, like Colby Jack or even some mozzarella if that’s what’s in your fridge. You could even do all cheddar if that’s your jam! If you don’t have elbow macaroni, other small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells work just fine. And if you’re out of beef broth, chicken broth will work in a pinch, but beef really gives that classic cheeseburger vibe. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little!

Serving Your Delicious One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Alright, your amazing One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is ready! Now, how to serve this masterpiece? Honestly, it’s a meal all on its own, it’s that hearty. But if you want to round things out, a simple side salad is always a good call to add some freshness. Or, you could go full comfort food mode and serve it with some crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping. Whatever you choose, get ready for some happy faces!

Common Questions About One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Okay, so you might have a few questions bubbling up (ha!) about making this soup. Totally normal! Here are some things people often ask, and my go-to answers to help you out.

Can I Make One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Ahead of Time?

Yes, you totally can! It actually reheats really well. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You might need to add a little extra liquid when reheating as the pasta can absorb more.

How to Adjust the Spice Level of One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup?

This recipe is pretty mild, which is great for everyone. If you like a little kick, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the other seasonings, or add a dash of hot sauce to your bowl!

What Kind of Beef is Best for One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup?

I usually use an 80/20 ground beef. It has enough fat for flavor, but you drain most of it off. You could use leaner beef, but you might miss out on a little richness.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Okay, so while I’m all about the comfort and flavor, I know some of you like to have an idea of what’s in your bowl! Just remember, these numbers are estimates and can totally change based on the specific ingredients you use (like what kind of beef or cheese). This recipe, divided into 6 servings, shakes out roughly like this per serving:

Calories: Around 550
Fat: About 30g
Protein: Roughly 30g
Carbohydrates: About 45g

See? It’s a pretty substantial, satisfying meal!

Enjoy Your One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

Seriously, you’ve just made something amazing! This One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is pure comfort food magic. Go ahead, ladle yourself a big bowl, pile on those toppings if you like, and just savor every single bite. I really hope you give this recipe a whirl! If you do, come back and let me know how you liked it or what fun toppings you added. Happy slurping!

1 Pot One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup Magic

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

Hearty and comforting soup combining the flavors of macaroni and cheese with a cheeseburger.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 cups milk
2 cups water
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened.
Pour in the beef broth, milk, and water. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni.
Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
Stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and the soup is creamy.
Serve hot.

Notes

You can substitute other types of cheese for cheddar and Monterey Jack.
Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more broth or milk if needed.
Top with your favorite cheeseburger toppings like pickles, tomatoes, or crispy bacon.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 550
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 900mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup, soup, macaroni, cheeseburger, ground beef, cheese