Indulge in a bowl of savory One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup, blending the heartiness of ground beef and the comfort of elbow macaroni, all simmered in a flavorful broth enriched with sharp cheddar cheese. Each bite promises the warmth of onions, carrots, and celery, accented by a harmonious mix of oregano and thyme.
As the leaves turn golden and the air brisk, my cravings veer towards comfort. One chilly evening, inspiration struck like a lightning bolt—why not combine the heartwarming embrace of cheeseburgers and macaroni? Thus, the One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup was born, an amalgamation of two iconic comfort foods, ready to make every spoonful a nostalgic embrace. Every bite, a reminiscent journey to childhood picnics and cozy family dinners; a fusion of simplicity, convenience, and delectable ecstasy.
Why You’ll Love One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup:
One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup is the epitome of culinary convenience and gastronomic indulgence.
Imagine a world where the iconic American cheeseburger waltzes gracefully with classic macaroni. Each bite bursts with flavors, echoing the hearty embrace of ground beef, enriched by the melodious blend of oregano and thyme.
And if that’s not music to your taste buds, the soup is a symphony conducted in one pot—minimal cleanup, maximal flavor! In just 30 minutes, you transcend from raw ingredients to a soul-warming, palate-pleasing masterpiece—a testament to convenience without compromise.
Ingredients For One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
Let’s untangle the bouquet of flavors and textures making our One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup the talk of every dining table. The ground beef is your canvas, robust and ready to absorb the aromatic symphony of oregano and thyme. Ah, the herbs—they’re not just green sprinkles but soul-stirring aromatics transforming each bite into a melody. Speaking of soul-stirring, enter the trio of onions, carrots, and celery; these aren’t your ordinary veggies but the heralds of texture and flavor diversity. Fear not, for every spoonful is a harmonious dance of crunch, savor, and succulence.
How To Make One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup:
Our culinary journey begins with crispy sesame seed bun croutons, the unsung heroes offering that satisfying crunch, heralding the onset of a gastronomic ballet. The ground beef, lovingly seasoned with thyme and oregano, is browned to perfection, offering that soul-hugging umami and richness that defines our beloved soup.
The veggies sautéed in butter, oh they’re not just a mix but a melody, each bringing a unique note, creating a symphony of flavors so harmonious, every bite is a sonnet. As the flour melds into the veggies, it’s not just thickening but whispering secrets of a creamy, heartwarming embrace to come.
Enter the chicken broth, the unifier, turning disparate ingredients into a familial blend of savory notes. As the macaroni dances in the simmering pot, each piece soaks up the flavor, promising a burst of ecstasy with every bite. The heavy cream and cheddar, oh they’re the final sonnet, a creamy, cheesy hymn that turns a mix of ingredients into One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup. Each spoonful, a testament to the alchemy of simplicity and flavor.
Storage Options:
Fear not, for the leftover symphony of flavors transforms your refrigerator into a treasure trove of subsequent culinary delights! The Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup, akin to a fine wine, blossoms over time, each subsequent heating unveiling deeper notes of flavor. Store it in an airtight container, where it shall sit in regal splendor for up to five days, ready to turn every reheat into an encore performance. Freezing? Oh, it graciously accepts the embrace of the freeze, offering you a ready-to-enjoy masterpiece for those days when comfort is not just wanted, but needed.
Variations and Substitutions:
In the world of One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup, versatility is the queen reigning supreme. Vegetarian souls, fret not, for plant-based ground substitutes waltz gracefully into this flavor dance, promising indulgence sans compromise. Gluten sensitive? A bow and a curtsy to gluten-free pasta, ensuring no soul is denied this heartwarming embrace. For those who whisper secrets of flavor enhancements, a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle of exotic herbs turns each bowl into a personalized sonnet, a love letter penned by you, for you, ensuring every bite is not just tasted, but profoundly experienced.
One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced celery
- 5 cloves garlic finely minced
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz. elbow macaroni uncooked
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly cracked pepper to taste
For the Croutons:
- 4 sesame seed buns diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- Finely sliced green onion
- Additional shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the diced sesame seed buns in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Evenly drizzle the pieces with olive oil and place them in the oven for approximately 10 minutes or until they attain a crisp exterior.
- In a large pot set over medium heat, add the ground beef, one teaspoon each of dried oregano and thyme, and season with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Ensure the beef is thoroughly cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula. Once cooked, transfer the beef to a separate container and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Introduce the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery to the pot. Adjust the heat to medium-high and sauté the vegetables, occasionally stirring, for approximately 10 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and incorporate the minced garlic, the remaining dried oregano, and dried thyme. Allow these to cook for an additional minute.
- Sprinkle the vegetables with the all-purpose flour, ensuring they are evenly coated. Continue to cook for another minute, stirring consistently.
- Deglaze the pot by introducing a small quantity of chicken broth, ensuring to scrape and incorporate the residue at the bottom of the pot.
- Incorporate the remaining chicken broth and the uncooked elbow macaroni. Season with additional kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper, then increase the heat to medium-high until the mixture reaches a simmer.
- Once simmering, decrease the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the macaroni is al dente, ensuring to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from adhering to the pot’s base.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the heavy cream followed by the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add the white balsamic vinegar and return the previously cooked ground beef to the pot. Stir and let it warm over medium heat until thoroughly heated. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the soup in individual bowls, garnishing with the previously prepared sesame seed bun croutons, finely sliced green onions, and additional shredded cheddar cheese.
