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Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup

Cheeseburger macaroni soup with browned ground beef and tender elbow pasta in a thick cheddar broth. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar until melted for a creamy, spoonable texture, then top with extra cheddar, pickles, and green onions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 780
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ground beef
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
Elbow macaroni
  • 2 cup elbow macaroni uncooked
Onion and garlic base
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 garlic minced
Broth and cheddar soup
  • 4 cup beef broth
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
Cheese and cream
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
Serving toppings
  • pickles for serving
  • green onions for serving
  • extra cheddar for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Brown and build the base
  1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot, then drain the fat.
  2. Sauté the onion for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Simmer the soup
  1. Add the beef broth, condensed cheddar cheese soup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and garlic powder, then bring to a boil.
  2. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes, until tender.
Finish creamy and serve
  1. Reduce the heat, then stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar until melted.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve with pickles, green onions, and extra cheddar.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the heat reduced when adding cheddar and cream so the cheese melts smoothly without separating. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens. Freezing is not recommended because pasta can soften too much and the dairy may change texture. For a lighter option, use evaporated milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream and choose a reduced-fat cheddar.