Creamy, Cheesy, Dreamy!

This is literally my childhood dream come true. Mac and Cheese was my favorite meal growing up and I loved the addition of meat. This one is for the child in you!

And for the health enthusiasts who are hesitant to indulge, trust me, I get it, but this one is worth it! 19 g of protein is a great post workout comfort meal. Indulge, athletes!

Honestly, as of right now, Mac n’ Cheeseburger is my favorite soup!

Mac and cheese soup with cheese, green onions, hamburger bun croutons

What are the health benefits?

This soup combines protein-rich beef and cheese with antioxidant-packed onions and celery that provides complete proteins, essential minerals like calcium and iron, and anti-inflammatory compounds that support muscle health, bone strength, and cardiovascular function.

Nutrition facts per 1 cup serving:

Nutrition facts for 1 cup of Mac n' cheeseburger soup — Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only, and is not to be taken as medical information or advice. The nutritional values of your preparation of this recipe are impacted by several factors, including, but not limited to, the ingredient brands you use, any substitutions or measurement changes you make, and measuring accuracy.

Ground Beef

Ground beef is an excellent source of complete protein, providing all essential amino acids needed for muscle growth. It's also rich in iron, zinc, and B-vitamins, particularly B12, which supports energy metabolism and red blood cell formation.

Sharp Cheddar

Sharp cheddar cheese provides high-quality protein and is an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for bone health and muscle function. It also contains vitamin K2, which works synergistically with calcium to support bone density and cardiovascular health.

Onions & Celery

Onions are rich in antioxidants, particularly quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and may support heart health and immune function. Celery is low in calories but high in potassium and contains beneficial plant compounds that may help reduce blood pressure and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

Spoon digging into macaroni and cheese soup with beef and hamburger croutons

What you will need

6-7.5 quart pot
Measuring Spoons
Two 48 oz Storage Containers

How to Make it Step by Step

1. Gather Ingredients

Beef, cheese, macaroni, onions, and celery! You can use beef or chicken broth. I prefer beef broth because it adds more burger flavor into the soup. Salt, pepper, and paprika are the spices. I recommend a pinch of cayenne! It is not spicy, but it adds more depth to the creaminess.

Ground beef, macaroni, cheese, onions, celery, butter, broth ingredients gathered for soup

2. Cook Ground Beef

Add 2 tablespoons of butter, beef, salt, pepper, paprika, and optional cayenne to pot and cook covered on medium heat until beef is cooked through, around 8-10 minutes. Remove beef from pot and set aside for later.

Soup pot filled with ground beef cooked in butter

3. Cook Veggies and Roux

Add 2 more tablespoons of butter to the pot, add onions, celery, garlic, and cook covered until onions turn translucent, about 5-10 minutes.

Then add flour and stir until it turns pasty, around 1 minute.

Soup pot filled with onions, celery, garlic cooked in butter flour roux

4. Add Broth and Macaroni

Add the cooked ground beef, uncooked macaroni, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer covered for 5-7 minutes, until macaroni is tender.

Dutch oven with ground beef, macaroni elbows, onions, and celery for soup

5. Add Dairy

Careful with this step! Make sure the soup cools but is still warm. If the dairy is cold, it will help cool the soup before you add the cheese.

Remove pot from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Add milk, half and half, and cheese. Stir until cheese is fully melted and blended into soup, around 1-2 minutes. (Turn heat on low and stir constantly if cheese will not melt).

Wooden ladle filled with a spoonful of macaroni cheeseburger soup

6. Serve!

Once blended, serve 1-cup servings with buttery sesame seed buns or homemade hamburger bun croutons! Garnish with sliced green onions and shredded cheese on top. A dream come true!

Mac and cheese soup garnished with green onions, hamburger bun croutons

Storage (Because You’ll Want Leftovers)

This soup stores well, which makes it practical for meal prep. After cooling completely, it keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors develop and improve overnight.

For longer storage, it freezes well for up to 3 months. I portion it into individual containers so I can thaw single servings as needed. Just thaw overnight in the fridge, then gently reheat on the stovetop with a stir to restore the smooth texture. It reheats nicely and maintains its quality.