Hearty Cheeseburger Soup – Okay, so picture this—you’re craving something warm, cozy, and full of flavor, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Sound familiar? Well, that’s exactly where this Hearty Cheeseburger Soup steps in. It’s like your favorite cheeseburger, but in soup form. Ground beef, cheddar, a little elbow macaroni… all the good stuff. And guess what? It’s ready in just 30 minutes. Seriously, it’s like comfort food on demand.

What makes this Hearty Cheeseburger Soup truly special?

This soup? It’s basically like getting a cheeseburger hug. It’s cheesy, it’s hearty, and it’s ridiculously easy to make. You’ve got all the best parts of a burger—ground beef, sharp cheddar, and even a little crunch with those sesame croutons on top—but in this creamy, comforting soup. And can we talk about the croutons for a second? They’re like taking a bite of the perfect burger bun, only crispier and more satisfying. Plus, it’s ready in half an hour. What’s not to love, right?

What You Need To Make This Hearty Cheeseburger Soup Recipe?

Ground Beef: Okay, so ground beef is the star of this soup, hands down. It’s what gives it that real “cheeseburger in a bowl” vibe. You could swap it out for turkey or even a veggie alternative if you’re feeling adventurous, but let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite like the flavor of beef here. It’s comforting, hearty, and just right.

Elbow Macaroni: These little guys are what turn this from a simple soup into a meal. They soak up just enough of the broth to get soft but still have that little bite. And honestly, who doesn’t love elbow macaroni? It’s like they were made for soups. If you’re out, don’t panic—any small pasta will work. I’ve even thrown in some shells when I was in a pinch, and it was still amazing.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Here’s where the magic happens. Sharp cheddar melts into the soup and brings that tangy, cheesy goodness we all love. Regular cheddar works too, but the sharp stuff really takes it up a notch. You know how some dishes just need that extra bit of flavor to make you go “wow”? This is it.

White Balsamic Vinegar: I know, vinegar in a cheeseburger soup sounds a little weird, right? But trust me, this is the secret ingredient you didn’t know you needed. It’s not going to make the soup taste vinegary—no worries there. It just brightens everything up and gives it a little zing that makes all the flavors pop. You might not even notice it’s there, but if you skip it, you’ll definitely feel like something’s missing.

Sesame Seed Buns (for croutons): These croutons, though. They’re a little crunchy, a little toasty, and they give you that perfect “bun” element to the soup without actually having a bun. I mean, you could skip them, but why would you? They make the whole dish more fun. Plus, who doesn’t love croutons?

Heavy Cream: This is what makes the soup so rich and creamy. It gives the whole dish this indulgent, velvety texture that just makes you want to dive in with a spoon. If you’re trying to be a little lighter, you could use half-and-half, but honestly? Heavy cream is where it’s at. Go for it—you deserve it!

Garlic: Do we even need to talk about garlic? It’s like the unofficial king of comfort food. A little garlic in the pot, and suddenly everything smells amazing. It adds that depth of flavor that makes the soup feel warm and cozy. Fresh garlic is always best, but you do you. Just don’t skip it!

Steps To Make Hearty Cheeseburger Soup:

Toast the Croutons: First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F. Grab those sesame seed buns and cut them into bite-sized cubes. Spread them out on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil (don’t be shy!), and pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes. You want them golden and crispy, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Crunchy croutons? Yes, please.

Cook the Beef: While the croutons are getting all crispy, heat up a big pot over medium heat. Toss in the ground beef, sprinkle with a teaspoon each of oregano and thyme, and add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Break it up as it cooks—no one wants big chunks of beef in their soup. Once it’s browned and cooked through, transfer it to a bowl and set it aside. Don’t worry, it’ll be back soon.

Sauté the Veggies: In the same pot (no need to dirty another one!), melt the butter. Toss in the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook them for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then. You want them soft and starting to caramelize a bit. The smell at this point? Amazing.

Add the Garlic and Herbs: Turn the heat down a bit and toss in the garlic, along with the rest of the oregano and thyme. Stir it all together and let it cook for just a minute. You don’t want the garlic to burn, but you want that fragrant goodness to really come through.

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox.

Make it Thick: Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir it in until everything’s coated. Cook it for another minute, stirring the whole time. This is what’s going to make your soup thick and creamy, so don’t skip this part!

Broth Time: Slowly pour in a little chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. That’s where all the flavor is hiding! Then, add the rest of the broth and the uncooked elbow macaroni. Season with another pinch of salt and pepper. Bring it all to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Cook the Macaroni: Once it’s simmering, turn the heat down to low and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on it and give it a stir every now and then to make sure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom. You want the macaroni al dente—soft but with a little bite.

Cream and Cheese: Take the pot off the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Then, toss in the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it’s all melted and the soup is nice and creamy. Cheesy goodness in every bite? Yes, please.

Finish It Off: Add the white balsamic vinegar and stir the cooked beef back into the soup. Let it heat through for a couple of minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning—add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it.

Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls, and don’t forget to top it off with those crispy croutons, a sprinkle of green onions, and maybe even a little extra shredded cheddar. Now, dig in and enjoy every cheesy, comforting bite!