If you’re craving the comforting flavors of a cheeseburger in a cozy, creamy soup form, this Cheeseburger Soup is your new favorite fall recipe! It’s hearty, cheesy, and loaded with tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheddar. Whether made in a pot, slow cooker, or as a Cheeseburger Soup Crockpot version, it’s perfect for chilly nights and family dinners. This easy cheeseburger soup recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing, soul-warming meal that everyone will love.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6–8 bowls
- Calories: ~420 kcal per serving
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 medium carrots, shredded
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Chopped green onions or bacon bits, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the beef:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside. - Sauté the vegetables:
In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onion, celery, and garlic; cook until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes. - Add broth and potatoes:
Stir in the chicken broth, shredded carrots, and diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. - Make it creamy:
In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and thickened. Pour this mixture into the soup pot. - Add cheese and beef:
Return the cooked beef to the pot, then stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until melted and creamy. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. - Finish and serve:
For extra richness, stir in sour cream before serving. Ladle the creamy cheeseburger soup into bowls and top with green onions, bacon bits, or extra cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Cheeseburger Soup hot with crusty bread, garlic toast, or a green salad. For a fun twist, top with croutons, pickles, or even crispy onion strings for that true burger feel!
For a Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup variation, stir in cooked elbow macaroni before serving — it’s hearty, cheesy, and kid-approved.
Tips & Variations
- Crockpot Version: To make Cheeseburger Soup Crockpot, brown the beef first, then add all ingredients (except cheese and milk) to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Stir in milk and cheese before serving.
- Healthy Option: Use ground turkey or chicken, skim milk, and reduced-fat cheese for a healthy cheeseburger soup that’s still full of flavor.
- Extra Creamy: Blend half of the soup with an immersion blender before adding the cheese for an ultra-smooth texture.
- Add-ins: Mix in broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach for extra veggies and color.
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Soup
This cheeseburger soup recipe is the perfect combination of comfort and convenience. It’s rich and creamy like a chowder but packed with the hearty satisfaction of a burger. Whether you’re making it as a Cheeseburger Soup Stovetop version for a quick dinner or in a Crockpot for a no-fuss weekend meal, it fits perfectly into your fall soup recipes lineup.
With its cozy, cheesy flavor and simple ingredients, it’s sure to become a new family favorite during soup season.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! It reheats beautifully. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat gently over medium heat.
Q: Can I freeze cheeseburger soup?
You can freeze it, but dairy may separate when reheated. Add fresh milk or cream after thawing to restore creaminess.
Q: What cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar gives the boldest flavor, but a mix of cheddar and American cheese creates a smooth melt.
Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the beef:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables:
- In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onion, celery, and garlic; cook until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add broth and potatoes:
- Stir in the chicken broth, shredded carrots, and diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Make it creamy:
- In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and thickened. Pour this mixture into the soup pot.
- Add cheese and beef:
- Return the cooked beef to the pot, then stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until melted and creamy. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Finish and serve:
- For extra richness, stir in sour cream before serving. Ladle the creamy cheeseburger soup into bowls and top with green onions, bacon bits, or extra cheese.
Notes
- Crockpot Version: To make Cheeseburger Soup Crockpot, brown the beef first, then add all ingredients (except cheese and milk) to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Stir in milk and cheese before serving.
- Healthy Option: Use ground turkey or chicken, skim milk, and reduced-fat cheese for a healthy cheeseburger soup that’s still full of flavor.
- Extra Creamy: Blend half of the soup with an immersion blender before adding the cheese for an ultra-smooth texture.
- Add-ins: Mix in broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach for extra veggies and color.
