Description
Hearty cheeseburger macaroni soup blends classic comfort with unexpected culinary magic. Creamy, rich flavors meld seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
Herbs:
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives:
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 8 ounces (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Vegetables:
- 1 cup (150g) diced yellow onion
- 1 cup (130g) sliced carrots
- 1 cup (100g) sliced celery
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Dry Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour
Liquid Ingredients:
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (225g) uncooked elbow macaroni
Seasonings:
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Initiate by sizzling ground beef in a spacious pot over medium flame, incorporating dried oregano and thyme. Season generously with salt and pepper, crumbling meat thoroughly until perfectly browned. Transfer cooked beef to a separate vessel.
- Within the same pot, melt unsalted butter and introduce diced onions, sliced carrots, and celery. Elevate heat to medium-high, sautéing vegetables until they soften and develop a golden edge, approximately 10 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to medium, introducing minced garlic and remaining herbs. Allow aromatics to bloom for one minute, releasing their intense fragrance.
- Dust vegetables with all-purpose flour, ensuring complete and even coating. Continuously stir for another minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour chicken broth, stirring to dissolve any flavorful browned bits from pot bottom. Introduce uncooked elbow macaroni, seasoning additionally with salt and pepper.
- Accelerate heat to medium-high, bringing liquid to a gentle simmer. Reduce temperature, allowing pasta to cook until tender yet slightly firm, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat, gently incorporating heavy cream and gradually melting sharp cheddar cheese until silky smooth.
- Reintroduce reserved ground beef, thoroughly integrating all components. Taste and refine seasoning as needed.
- Ladle piping hot soup into serving bowls, optionally embellishing with extra cheese or fresh herb garnish for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Choose gluten-free elbow macaroni and replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch to make this recipe celiac-friendly and safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Elevate the soup’s richness by using bone broth instead of standard chicken broth, which adds deeper nutritional complexity and intensifies the overall taste profile.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium broth and measuring salt carefully, allowing diners to adjust seasoning individually at the table for personalized taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg