Description
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup is a comforting and creamy dish that combines the classic flavors of a cheeseburger with hearty macaroni noodles in a rich, cheesy broth. This soup is easy to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners, and customizable with ingredient substitutions to suit various dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Can substitute with butter)
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Ground turkey or chicken can be used)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion (Diced, shallots can be used)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced, fresh preferred)
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour (Cornstarch is a gluten-free alternative)
- 4 cups Chicken Broth (Vegetable broth is a vegetarian swap)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Half and half or whole milk can be used)
- Salt (To taste)
- Pepper (To taste)
- Onion Powder (To taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (Adjust to taste)
- 1 cup Matchstick Carrots (Fresh or frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups Uncooked Macaroni Noodles (Any small pasta shape can be used)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Consider mixing different cheese varieties)
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese (Pecorino Romano is a flavorful substitute)
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat to prepare for browning the meat and vegetables.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: Add the ground beef and diced onion to the pot, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute to release its aroma and flavor.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour while stirring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and help thicken the soup.
- Pour in Broth: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps, then bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to begin thickening.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Add Carrots and Pasta: Incorporate matchstick carrots and uncooked macaroni noodles, bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute to activate the pasta.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the noodles to cook through.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese until completely melted, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Serve: Serve the soup warm immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors of cheeseburger macaroni in every spoonful.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Use vegetable broth and omit the cheese for a vegetarian version.
- Cornstarch can replace flour if a gluten-free alternative is needed.
- Mix different types of cheese like mozzarella or gouda for varied flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste, adding more paprika or Italian seasoning if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheeseburger macaroni soup, comfort food, cheesy soup, ground beef soup, easy dinner recipe
