Quick and Hearty One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

This One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. It combines seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, vegetables, and plenty of creamy melted cheese in one hearty pot. It’s rich, savory, filling, and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

1. Brown the beef: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. Add the aromatics: Stir in the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Season: Add salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to coat the beef.
4. Build the soup: Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir until the tomato paste is incorporated and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5. Cook the macaroni: Stir in the uncooked macaroni. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
6. Make it creamy: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the milk and butter. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Do not let the soup boil rapidly after adding the milk.
7. Add the cheese: Remove the pot from the heat and gradually stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy.
8. Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips

For an extra cheeseburger flavor, add a little more Worcestershire sauce or a small spoonful of yellow mustard. You can also add diced pickles on top just before serving for a fun cheeseburger-inspired twist.

If the soup becomes too thick as it sits, simply stir in a little extra beef broth or milk before reheating.