Description
Hearty one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup combines classic comfort flavors in a single delightful dish. Creamy cheese, seasoned ground beef, and tender pasta create a satisfying meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 cup (150g) yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup (130g) carrots, sliced
- 1 cup (100g) celery, sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups (1.9 L) chicken broth
- 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream
- 8 oz (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 tbsps (85g) unsalted butter
- 4 tbsps (30g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- 2 tsps dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, seasoning with dried oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Crumble and cook thoroughly, then set aside.
- Vegetable Sauté: In the same pot, melt unsalted butter and combine diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook on elevated heat until vegetables become tender and lightly caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Lower heat and introduce minced garlic, allowing herbs to bloom and intensify the flavor profile. Sprinkle all-purpose flour evenly, toasting briefly to eliminate raw undertones and create a robust thickening base.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually pour chicken broth, whisking smoothly to prevent lumps and capture pot’s caramelized essence. Add elbow macaroni, adjusting seasoning, and simmer until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
- Creamy Transformation: Remove from heat, fold in heavy cream and sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until a velvety, uniform consistency develops. Reincorporate reserved ground beef, mixing gently to distribute flavors evenly.
- Final Touch: Conduct a comprehensive seasoning assessment, making final adjustments. Serve piping hot, optionally adorning with additional cheese or fresh herb garnish for enhanced visual and gustatory appeal.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Browning: Achieve deep, caramelized flavor by ensuring ground beef is dry before sautéing. Pat meat with paper towels to remove excess moisture, allowing proper browning and preventing steaming.
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Add macaroni towards the end of cooking to maintain perfect al dente texture. Monitor liquid levels closely, as pasta absorbs broth quickly and can become mushy if left too long.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove soup from direct heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and graininess. Stir cheese gradually in small batches, ensuring smooth, creamy integration without clumping.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles to create a vegetarian version. Use gluten-free flour and pasta for those with wheat sensitivities. Low-fat alternatives like milk and reduced-fat cheese can modify the recipe’s nutritional profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 533
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 112mg