Mac & Cheese Burger Soup So Good!

A rich, cheesy soup that combines seasoned ground beef, creamy pasta, and burger-style toppings into one spoonable meal. This recipe turns classic mac and cheese and a cheeseburger into a cozy, weeknight-friendly bowl that’s easy to scale and customize. For a buttery side, serve it with Italian herb cheese bread for dipping.

Ingredients and pantry swaps

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for flavor; turkey or plant-based crumbles work too)
• 2 cups dry elbow macaroni (or shells; cavatappi keeps sauce clingy)
• 3 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk (or 2 cups milk + 1 cup half-and-half for extra creaminess)
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (mix with Monterey Jack for melt)
• 1 tsp mustard powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, salt and pepper to taste
• Optional burger-style add-ins: diced dill pickles, ketchup swirl, diced tomato, chopped chives

Substitutions: swap ground turkey for beef to reduce fat; use gluten-free flour and pasta for GF versions; replace dairy with a vegan cheddar and unsweetened oat milk for a plant-based take. If you’d like a light companion soup on the menu rotation, try this quick 10-minute Chinese egg drop soup.

Stovetop step-by-step

1. Brown beef: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Brown the beef with a pinch of salt until no pink remains; drain excess fat, leaving a tablespoon for flavor.
2. Sauté aromatics: Add butter, then onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Make roux: Sprinkle flour over the aromatics and beef; cook 1–2 minutes while stirring so the flour loses its raw taste.
4. Add liquids: Slowly whisk in beef broth and milk, scraping browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer; the liquid will thicken.
5. Cook pasta: Add dry macaroni directly to the simmering soup and cook uncovered until al dente (about 8–10 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Finish with cheese: Remove from heat, stir in shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
7. Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with pickles, a ketchup drizzle, extra shredded cheese, or chopped chives as desired.

Tips: If the soup gets too thick after sitting, thin with a splash of milk or broth. To prevent grainy cheese, remove the pot from direct heat before adding cheese and add it gradually.

Instant Pot method

• Sauté mode: Brown the ground beef using Sauté, drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent.
• Build the soup: Sprinkle flour, stir for 1 minute, then add broth and milk, scraping the bottom. Add dry pasta.
• Pressure cook: Lock lid and set to High Pressure for 4 minutes. Quick-release carefully.
• Finish: Stir in cheese off heat until smooth and season to taste.

Instant Pot speeds up cooking and keeps cleanup minimal. If you prefer a creamier texture, use a mix of milk and cream or finish with a tablespoon of cream cheese.

Serving, storage, and reheating

Serve bowls topped with crunchy pickle chips, diced tomato, or a drizzle of ketchup and mustard for true burger vibes. Leftovers refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days; the pasta will absorb liquid. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk or broth, stirring until loosened and creamy. Freeze portions without pasta for up to 3 months; add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.

Variations and add-ins

• Bacon cheeseburger: Stir in crisped bacon and use smoked cheddar.
• Veg-forward: Swap beef for seasoned lentils or plant-based crumbles and use dairy-free cheese.
• Spicy: Add a diced jalapeño with the onions and finish with hot sauce.
• Deluxe diner-style: Top with a fried egg and pickled red onions for brunch appeal.

Conclusion

This cheeseburger-inspired mac and cheese soup adapts well to stovetop or pressure-cooker methods and invites playful toppings to recreate favorite burger flavors in a bowl. For different approaches to cheeseburger-style soups, compare this recipe to an Instant Pot-friendly cheeseburger soup in Healthy Dill-icious Cheeseburger Soup {Instant Pot or Stove Top} and explore a dairy-free option with the Vegan Cheeseburger Soup – Connoisseurus Veg.