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Hearty, savory Hamburger Macaroni Soup is filling and full of flavor and it only requires a handful of pantry staples!
If you love quick and hearty soups, you will love this Hamburger Macaroni Soup. It is delicious paired with a salad and some fresh warm Potato Rolls, or perfectly substantial on its own!
AKA Goulash SOUP
Fall is my favorite time of year for so many reasons. One of which is SOUP.
Let me be clear, the Luna family is not afraid to make soup all year long, even on a 115° day. However, cooler temps are always a wonderful excuse to cook up something warm.
One of my go-to soups is this hearty Hamburger Macaroni Soup! It’s filled with pantry staples like pasta and canned tomatoes and is SO easy to make.
Some may call this goulash, but we don’t make our regular goulash so soup-y, which is why this is more of a Macaroni Soup to us.
How to make Macaroni Soup
GROUND BEEF. In a large stock pot, add ground beef, garlic, and onion powder. Cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain the grease.
BROTH. Add broth, cans of chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire, brown sugar (optional), ketchup, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes
PASTA. Add the dry macaroni and let cook for 15 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese, if desired, and ENJOY!
To make this in the crockpot. Ground the beef and combine all ingredients into the crockpot, minus the pasta. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add cooked pasta about 30 minutes before serving.
Tips + Variations
Dry macaroni. Use any smaller macaroni such as elbow macaroni, shell, cavatappi, penne, farfalle, fusilli, or rotini.
Many soup recipes specify for you to cook the pasta before adding it to the soup, but this recipe is so easy that you simply add the dry noodles right into the pot to cook.
Note that you add it last and let it cook for about 15 more minutes, but the time may vary according to the type of pasta you use. Just give it a taste test to determine when it is done to your liking.
Variations:
- Veggies. Add frozen or fresh vegetables (corn, green beans, peas, carrots) to increase the nutritional value of the soup.
- Substitute. Ketchup can be replaced with 6-8oz of tomato sauce or paste.
- Healthy twist. To make this slightly healthier, use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef because it is less fatty.
Storing info
STORE it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days and rewarm individual servings in the microwave, and larger servings on the stove.
Make ahead of time. Prepare about 30 minutes ahead of time and let it simmer on the stove. Or pour the soup into the crockpot and put it on warm until the party starts. Just be aware that the pasta might get mushy the longer it sits in the pot.
FREEZE. Let the soup (without the pasta) cool completely and then scoop it into a freezer-safe bag. It is best to let it freeze while laying flat.
After it’s frozen, store the bags vertically to save space. It should last about 3 months in the freezer. Thaw and warm it on the stove then add cooked pasta.
Serve Hamburger Macaroni Soup with:
Any of these sides would be perfect to pair with this Macaroni Soup recipe! Sop up that goodness, or complete the meal.
For more Soup Recipes, try:
- Chicken Dumpling Soup
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Cheesy Potato Soup
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Ham And Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
Hamburger Macaroni Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 58 oz beef broth
- 56 oz tomatoes chopped (2 28 oz cans)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups dry macaroni
- garlic salt and pepper to taste as desired
- cheese if desired
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, add ground beef, garlic, and onion powder – cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain the grease.
- Add broth, cans of chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire, brown sugar (optional), ketchup, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes
- Add the dry macaroni and let cook for 15 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese, if desired, and ENJOY!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Adapted from thekitchenmagpie.com
My go to soup recipe. Quick, easy and delicious. No fail recipe
It’s just ok
Wayyyyy too much liquid and not enough flavor.
Thanks for the feedback!
Simple and delicious! Thank you!!
iposted xoment in the past but sidn” hear back from lil luna team
Hi Laura! It does look like you posted a little while back. Thank you for your kind feedback! I’m so glad to hear your boyfriend enjoyed the recipe too. Thanks for giving it a try!
I love this recipe, so simple, tasty and flavourful. It’s always a hit in my house
everytime i make it it turns out perfect. myboyfriend likes this dish to i have to try more of your recipes
i cant stop makomg thos beef macaroni soup made it last week and this week lol. my boyfriend like it to
I use the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies to add spice to the dish!
I make similar soup with medium shell noodles, but yours uses a couple different ingredients. I added it and my kids loved the updated soup.
Another favorite soup. Simple and easy to put together!
Mmm…my family loves this soup!! It reminds me of a hamburger helper as a soup. The noodles & meat make it super hearty!!
This recipe is sooo good! Perfect fall meal 😋
This recipe is so good! Delicious!
Is the serving size one cup?
Yes!
Trying to figure out what the ketchup and brown sugar bring to the dish. I have never seen ketchup and tomatoes in the same dish before. I make a hamburger soup like this, but no ketchup, I use a little sprinkle of sugar and I use whole tomatoes cut or lightly run through the food processor. Di Ed tomatoes are disgusting. They process them with something that causes them not to break down. But that’s what tomatoes are supposed to do, ya know? Plus this is the worst website. Ads all over the screen so you can’t read or see what you are typing. Greedy.
Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like you’ve got a good recipe you enjoy using too. And the ads actually enable us to be able to provide free content to our readers, which I wouldn’t call greedy. 🙂 Thanks for understanding!
i cant find my post
Christine, if you have nothing nice to say….keep scrolling! Why stop and be a snarky Karen?!🙄
Rude!
This recipe, as many others shared on this site, are great. Don’t like an ingredient? Leave it out. Don’t be such a hater. Sheesh. You certainly didn’t improve anyone’s day with the kind of comments you left… and not one, but two screechy ones – lol.
Love the flavors! Quick and easy recipe during the Winter months!
Yes, definitely! Glad you enjoyed!
Excellent, easy, very satisfying.Also gluten free!
Yes! It can be made gluten free. So glad you enjoyed the soup!
Hahaha! I think you meant to write “pantry staples” not panty staples!
Though better to cook with good panties on 🙂
& I love your blog! Great recipes that are my go-to!!
Meg
Oh my goodness!! Haha! Yes, definitely meant that. Thanks for catching it. I’ll make sure to go in and update. Thanks!
Sounds good. I am going to use mixed vegetables as well, because it will add good color to the dish.
That’s a great idea!
I have no problem with tomatoes but my daughter developed a dislike for them when she was pregnant. What else could I use to make up for the tomatoes? I always love tomatoes but afraid she will not eat it but I would love to try and my 13 year old granddaughter is picky.
Ooh this is a tricky recipe to omit tomatoes from, since the tomato makes up so much of the base of the soup. If it’s the actual pieces of tomatoes she doesn’t care for, you could blend up the diced tomatoes to make it more of a puree so there aren’t chunks (or even try using crushed tomatoes). If she doesn’t care for the tomato flavor, I’d probably recommend trying a different soup. Maybe something with more of a broth base or even a cream base. Our classic Chicken Noodle Soup still has the noodles, but no tomatoes anywhere! Here’s a link to more of our soup recipes, if that’s helpful: https://lilluna.com/category/recipes/soups-recipes/
Recipe sounds delicious, but being a single guy I have no idea where to get “a handful of panty staples” but I’ll ask some of my women friends to see if they can help me out.
That description is just referring to some of the ingredients in the list…. meaning, they might be common pantry items you may have on hand. Ex) ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, canned tomatoes, seasonings, etc. You can just check that ingredient list and see if you have everything. If not, maybe some of your friends can lend you some too! 🙂
I made. this beef and and ,tomato macaroni soup a lot. it so good . it. turns out perfect every time.
Oh I’m so happy to hear that!! So glad you enjoy the soup. It’s a favorite over here too!
Nice easy recipe and went over well.
Thank you so much!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. My mom use to make me macaroni and tomatoes and it was one of my favorite foods. I absolutely loved it. This looks very similar except it’s got hamburger meat. It looks very good.
Thank you! I hope you try it, because it’s delish!!
Hi we call this Hangover Soup have been having since I was a child and my mom made it. Can you please explain what the brown sugar adds to the soup? It and the ketchup are the only differences and I am just curious. Thank you
It would just add a sweeter flavor. How fun that you have enjoyed this soup for years as well! It’s one of our favorites!
I agree. Silica was very rude. If you don’t like the recipe, don’t make it.
We love this recipe. It tastes really good!!
Happy you do 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!
This is a lot of food for only a few people, so there will be left overs. Soup with macaroni will not keep because the pasta will absorb all the juice. Keep the pasta separately. When serving, add pasta to a bowl and fill with the soup mixture. Soup and pasta will keep in the refrigerator as long as you keep them separated. Love this recipe. Wouldn’t change a thing.
Thank you for sharing that 🙂 Glad you like it!!
THis is so good bUt has anyone freezed this soup? Didnt know how the pasta stood up cause i have read not to freeze soups with pasta in it.
I am sorry, I have not.
This is how I make it. But I add a onion when I am cooking the hamburger no onion powder. And I add a bell pepper because I add bell pepper to almost everything! lol. This is yummy thank you for posting it.
You are so welcome! I wish I liked onions, otherwise I would totally add them 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
just awesome
Glad you liked it!! Thank you!
Great, tasty and fast. I might tru with sausage next tiMe.
Good option! Glad you liked it! Thank you so much!
Very good. Husband loved it too. Will be making often. Thank you!
I love to hear that!! Thank you so much!
I think i came late to the paRty as i just recently pinned this recipe and made it for the first time this evening. It was great! I did add an onion, some diced celery, and some grape tomatoes that were about to go bad. I allowed everything to simmer a bit longer than reCommended. I did not bring the pot to a boil when adding the macaroni. I had it at a pretty good simmer and let the macaroni cook in that for about 15 minutes. The macaroni was less than al dente, but avoided the mushy issue. Not too often it is a Soup day here in florida, but it hit the spot tonight! Thanks for the great share!
Yeah, you hardly need a soup day..but, I am so glad you tried it!! Sounds great, what you added! Thank you so much!
tHE SOUP IS DELICIOUS – BUT AS SOON AS IT’S DONE AND I MOVE IT OFF THE BURNER, HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MACARONI FROM BECOMING TOO MUSHY?
I am not sure if there is a trick. I have found they don’t get too mushy. They should be ok 🙂
That’s what happened to mine 🙁 It was perfect when we ate it right when it was done. Noodles still al dente. I didn’t leave the pot on the warm burner. When it had cooled enough for me to start moving it to freezer bags and leftover containers, the noodles were huge and very mushy. Also – I have no idea why this is only letting me type in all caps LOL. I promise I’m not yelling! 🙂
First time making it and it smells so yummy! My mom use to make this when i was little! Such a great Quick and easy dish.
Thank you so much for sharing that!! I am so glad you tried it 🙂
All the recipe’s look so good and easy to make also?
I am so glad you think so!! I hope you try some 🙂
My mother use to fix macroni and tomatoes and has to be home grown tomatoes we loved and still do so this for sure will be a hit.
It is so tasty!! Let me know what you think 🙂
Hi Lil, Made your beef and tomato soup, it turned out great . I did use an onion and added some mushrooms. All in all turned out great. Going to try more of your recipes. Thank u john
Thank you so much for sharing that! I am so glad you liked it!!
Haven’t tried yet
I hope you do 🙂
Tried the beef and tomato macaroni soup, it was delicious and I’m not much of a homemade soup person. It was easy to make also.
Love to hear that! I am so glad you did. Thank you so much!
My husband and I love this recipe! We’ve tweaked it up just a little by adding in squash and zucchini when the pasta goes in. We enjoy using Monterrey jack cheese as well.
Perfect!! Thank you for sharing!
WoW, this was one of the best soups I’ve ever made or eaten. I shared with a co-worker and got the same response. This was definitely a keeper and appreciate so much that you shared this.
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing this! Glad you both liked it!
This was awesome! My family loved it.
Yay!! Love to hear that! Thank so much!
I am having a problem printing the receipe. Any suggestions?
I love the beef and macaroni soup
Yay!! I’m glad you do! You should be able to print it. You may need to check your printer options??
This sounds delicious and I want to try it, but there is only one of me and it serves 12. Can the leftovers be frozen?
I’m sure it can 🙂 I haven’t tried, but it should be ok! ENJOY!
Can I cut this recipe in half
You sure could 😉 Enjoy!
I saw this recipe that I use to eat growing up. My mouth started watering so I plan to make soon.
LOL..it’s funny how our memories can do that!! I hope you like this one!
If already using tomatoes…. Is it necessary to put in the ketchup?
You don’t have to, if you don’t want to. I haven’t made it, without it, but I think it helps with the flavor. It’s totally up to you 🙂
Love this soup and all your recipies.
Awe, thank you so much!! That makes my day!
This was so good! A tad bit sweet, but good. I will definetley make again.
I’m glad you liked it!! Thank you for letting me know!
Very good and easy!
Thank you so much for stopping by!!
Italian seasoning… dry or wet?
Dry 🙂 Let me know what you think! Thank you & enjoy!
Do you drain juice from Tomatoes?
No 🙂 The liquid helps 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Made this last night with cornbread,I must say this was so yummy,I’d also say all gone in about 30 mins.love the garlic taste! Tonight going to try the Parmesan Chicken,can’t wait,love this website..
#sharedonmyinstagram☺
Oh, thank you so much!! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 Thanks for coming back!!
Made it exactly as written it was amazing.
Yay! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
I’ll have make this soup somevtime.
I hope you do, it’s so good!! Thanks for stopping by!
This a wonderfully easy and great tasting recipe, thanks for sharing
You’re so welcome! Thank you for letting me know!!
Can I used canned diced tomatoes instead of chopped tomatoes? I can’t find canned chopped tomatoes anywhere!
Of course 🙂 I would just drain them. Hope you like as much as we do!! Thank you!
This recipe looks good and easy! I cannot find chopped tomatoes at the store, can I use diced instead?
Yes 🙂 Hope you like it! Thanks so much!
I have been craving goulash for months but I didn’t find a recipe that sounded good to me until I ran across a pin of this recipe! I made this last night and I’m in love. I added 1/2 cup of soy sauce, an onion, 2 green peppers, and 1 red pepper to add some more flavor and color. I didn’t use as much broth but there was still enough to dip some rolls in. Thank you!
Your changes so wonderful! I’m so glad you found this recipe 🙂 We like it too! Thank you!
So far mine is extremely runny. Not soup texture at all. Not sure what I have done wrong.
It is a liquidey soup. It’s not a thicker consistency. It’s more like a broth with the meat, pasta, and tomatoes. Hope that helps! Let me know how it comes out and tastes. Good luck!
This recipe is awesome added a chopped onion and another box of beef broth. Unless someone reads it wrong it comes out perfect. Loved it! Lunch for and few days. Thank u.
Yum!! Love it as leftovers!! Thank you for sharing!!
Hi Kellyn,
It’s the same for our family – we love making soups all year long!
This beef & tomato macaroni soup reminds me of my mom. She used to make something similar when I was a kid. 🙂
Amy
This is on the stove right now. I was looking for something quick and inexpensive to make tonight for super and found your recipe.
I added some diced carrots, and onions (omitted the onion powder). I noticed in the instructions it says “…canS of tomatoes…” so I went with 2 cans instead of one. I didn’t have any brown sugar so I used 3/4 of tbsp of white. The broth tastes great and I can’t wait for it to be finished so I can start dipping the crusty rolls I bought to go with it!
Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Love the changes!! Hope you like it!! Thanks so much for sharing that!!
It was delicious!!!
My husband is a truck driver so doesn’t get home till late at night. I try to always have something for him to eat that he can just reheat in the microwave. This was perfect for that. When he got up this morning he said “that soup last night was REALLY good!”
We both give it a thumbs up and it will be made again. 🙂
🙂 I’m so glad!! Thank you so much for letting me know!!
Wow was so unimpressed and disappointed. First of all the ingredients say onion powder and ketchup but the description doesn’t say where to add them in. I figured it out but still poorly written. Second of all I used 2 oz more beef stock and within 8 minutes (says 15min) of adding the pasta the stock boiled away and pasta was overcooked. Third of all the description doesn’t tell you if you cook on medium or low or high. So I cooked the pasta on medium and still within 8 min the broth (stock) was gone.
I was really looking forward to trying this recipe and it was a disaster. Poorly written and edited.
Sorry you feel that way! I will go and fix the recipe to add what I missed. Thank you for giving it a try though!
Why don’t you try using common sense, which is the most important ingredient in cooking. This is simply soup! If you see it is going dry, just add water or more broth. Better yet, cook the macaroni in a separate pot until almost done before you add it to the broth! Add it after all other ingredients are done. It won’t suck up all the broth if you cook it separately.
My comment is for Silica.
No need to be rude.
My comment is for Silica as well, I thought it would thread differently.
Thanks for sharing your recipes and your blog.
You are so welcome!! I am glad to share 🙂
This is pretty hard to mess up. Somethings are so obvious, I’m sure it was felt it was not needed to be said. Don’t be such a fuss budget. Surely you have tried recipes that needed to be adjusted a little! I tried it and it was yummy comfort food!
One of my wonderful memories from my childhood. My grandmother and then my mother made this soup in the winter. Now I make it, but I also add canned red beans. Grandma and mom would be proud.
SO fun making recipes that family made! They would be proud!
My mother made this for us kids growing up. I made it for my kids and now I make it for my grandkids and we all love it. We called it goulash. It is nice to see it in print.
It’s fun to find recipes that have been in families for a while!! I’m glad you found it!! Thanks so much!!
we called it goulash also but I like it a lot juicier then that so use it like the recipe…more soupy like. Sometimes I add maybe 1/2 cup chopped cabbage and I/2 a green pepper just for more flavor……is sooo good.