Hamburger Macaroni Soup is the kind of bowl you reach for when you want dinner to be easy, cozy, and full of flavor without a lot of fuss. I make it on busy weeknights when I want real food that actually fills me up. It’s meaty, tomatoey, and has tender macaroni soaking up all the goodness. If you grew up on a mix of pantry meals and family-style comfort, this will feel like home. The best part is you can tweak it to match what you’ve got in your kitchen, and it still turns out great. Ready to cook together?
The Story Behind This Recipe
I’m Cuts Food, the cook behind this Hamburger Macaroni Soup. After a few test runs, I dialed in the flavors so it’s approachable and full of cozy vibes. Hamburger Macaroni Soup is the kind of bowl you reach for when you want dinner to be easy, cozy, and full of flavor without a lot…
How to make Macaroni Soup
What you’ll need
Here’s the basic lineup I use most often. Simple ingredients, big pay-off.
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably 85 to 90 percent lean
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces
- 6 cups beef broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional but tasty
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 to 1.5 cups dry elbow macaroni
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Fresh parsley and grated Parmesan for serving
Step-by-step directions
- Brown the beef: Warm a large pot over medium heat with a little olive oil. Add ground beef and break it up as it browns. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Spoon off extra fat if there’s a lot.
- Sauté the veggies: Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the onion is soft and edges are a bit golden. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build the base: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer: Reduce to a soft simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the macaroni and cook until tender but not mushy. Most brands take 7 to 10 minutes. If the soup gets too thick, splash in a little extra broth or water.
- Finish: Remove the bay leaf, taste again, and stir in a handful of chopped parsley. Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan.
That’s it. The whole pot comes together in about 35 to 40 minutes, start to finish. The texture should be hearty but spoonable. If it ever leans too thick, a quick splash of water gets you back to a cozy brothy place. I also love serving it with a little green salad or just crusty bread to swipe through every last drop.
My neighbor tried this and texted me that her picky kids asked for seconds. She said, “It tastes like the best parts of spaghetti night but in a warm, slurpable bowl.” I’ll take that win any day.
If you like this vibe, you might also love my quick spinach tortellini soup for another weeknight-friendly bowl that feels special.
Make it faster on weeknights
Want a shortcut? Dice your onion, carrots, and celery on the weekend, then stash in the fridge. You can also brown and drain the beef a day ahead. When it’s go time, dinner basically cooks itself. Another small trick is to boil the macaroni separately, then add it to the soup at the very end. This keeps the pasta perfectly tender and lets you control the texture.
Tips + Variations
Flavor swaps you can try
Hamburger Macaroni Soup is flexible, which is why I make it so often. Try one or two tweaks based on what your family likes.
- Make it smoky: Add a little more smoked paprika, or crisp chopped bacon at the beginning and cook the veggies in the drippings.
- More veg power: Toss in diced zucchini, bell pepper, or a handful of baby spinach in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Creamy twist: Stir in a splash of cream or half-and-half at the end for a silky finish. Taste for salt again after adding dairy.
- Spice it up: A pinch of chili flakes or a chopped chipotle pepper brings a gentle heat.
- Different pasta: Ditalini, small shells, or orecchiette all work. Keep an eye on cook time so the pasta stays al dente.
- Ground turkey or chicken: Swap the beef for a lighter version. Boost the flavor with extra herbs and a little more salt.
If you’re craving something with a fun twist, try this easy taco macaroni on taco night. It’s got all the cozy pasta energy with south-of-the-border flavors.
For a sturdier, stick-to-your-ribs dinner, add a half cup of rinsed canned beans during the simmering stage. White beans or kidney beans are great here. And if you like a meatier profile, stir in a few pre-cooked meatballs for a hybrid pasta-soup moment. This flexibility is exactly why I keep coming back to Hamburger Macaroni Soup on cool evenings.
Storing info
Freezing tips for pasta soups
Hamburger Macaroni Soup stores well, but pasta can get soft if it sits in the broth too long. If you plan to meal prep, cook the macaroni separately and keep it in a container. Ladle hot soup over the pasta when serving. This keeps texture just right across a few days.
Fridge: Store cooled soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen and get even better on day two. If the soup thickens in the fridge, stir in a splash of broth or water while reheating.
Freezer: Leave out the pasta before freezing. Freeze the broth and beef-veggie base for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, warm in a pot, and cook fresh macaroni right in the soup before serving. Freezing pasta can make it a bit mushy, so adding it later gives you control.
Reheat gently over medium heat to keep everything tender. If you want a beefy option that freezes like a champ with grains instead of pasta, try my cozy beef barley soup. It’s a great companion to this recipe.
Cold Weather Calls for Delicious Soup!
There’s something about a simmering pot that makes the whole house feel hugged. A bowl of Hamburger Macaroni Soup brings that homestyle comfort without any complicated steps. The aroma of onions softening in the pot and tomatoes bubbling with beef broth makes me breathe a little deeper and slow down. It’s the dinner equivalent of a warm sweater.
I’ll often set the table while it simmers and grate a little extra Parmesan so everyone can sprinkle their own. If I’m really leaning into cozy mode, I pair it with a simple green salad or roasted broccoli. You’d be surprised how many vegetables kids will eat when there’s a steamy bowl of soup waiting alongside.
More Easy Soup Recipes
If you’re collecting simple, satisfying soups for your rotation, I’ve got you. Start with my reliable favorites and mix them into your weeknight plans. For a creamy potato-beef combo that cooks itself, check out this crockpot creamy hamburger potato soup. If you want a quick category browse, I keep everything neatly organized under more soup recipes. Prefer a cozy bowl with a little Italian comfort? You’ll love the set-it-and-forget-it crockpot lasagna soup. And for a legume-forward classic, this lentil soup is hearty, nutritious, and super affordable.
Common Questions
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely. Ditalini, small shells, or mini penne work great. Just adjust the cook time so the pasta stays pleasantly firm.
How can I make it gluten free?
Use your favorite gluten free elbow pasta and check your broth label. Cook the pasta separately and add it to bowls so it holds its texture better.
What kind of ground beef is best?
I like 85 to 90 percent lean so you get flavor without a greasy broth. If you use fattier beef, drain off excess fat after browning.
Can I make Hamburger Macaroni Soup in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the beef with onions first, then add everything except the pasta to the slow cooker and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Stir in cooked pasta before serving so it doesn’t over-soften.
How do I thicken the broth a bit?
Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, or add a small spoonful of tomato paste. A handful of cheese sprinkled at serving also gives it a richer feel.
A cozy bowl you’ll keep making
When you make Hamburger Macaroni Soup, you’re building an easy, affordable dinner that tastes like comfort. Keep the base the same and adjust the veggies and spices to match your mood. If you want to compare versions or get more inspiration, the take on Beef Macaroni Soup | 12 Tomatoes is a tasty read, and I like the cozy spin in Hamburger Macaroni Soup {aka Goulash Soup} +VIDEO | Lil’ Luna too. However you riff on it, this bowl delivers. Grab a spoon and let the pot do the work tonight.
Hamburger Macaroni Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Warm a large pot over medium heat with a little olive oil. Add ground beef and break it up as it browns. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Spoon off extra fat if there’s a lot.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the onion is soft and edges are a bit golden. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce to a soft simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Stir in the macaroni and cook until tender but not mushy. Most brands take 7 to 10 minutes. If the soup gets too thick, splash in a little extra broth or water.
- Remove the bay leaf, taste again, and stir in a handful of chopped parsley. Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan.
