This Hearty Cheeseburger Soup is pure comfort in every spoonful! Packed with savory browned ground beef, tender diced potatoes, carrots, and celery simmered in a rich broth, then transformed into an ultra-creamy, velvety soup loaded with melted sharp cheddar cheese and topped with crispy bacon crumbles.
It has all the irresistible flavors of a loaded bacon cheeseburger packed into a cozy 30-minute bowl of soup. Whether you need an easy weeknight family dinner or the ultimate cold-weather meal, this rich soup is guaranteed to become a household favorite!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Pure comfort food: rich, velvety cheddar cheese broth with hearty ground beef and potatoes
- Quick 30-minute one-pot dinner that feeds a hungry crowd effortlessly
- Wholesome ingredients: real sharp cheddar, fresh veggies, and NO processed cheese required
- Fun toppings: crispy bacon, sliced green onions, and warm crusty bread for dipping!
If you love cozy beef and pasta comfort dinners like our Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff or our Creamy Sausage Ditalini Soup, this cheeseburger soup is an absolute must-try.
Key Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Here are the simple ingredients needed to make this creamy cheeseburger soup:
- Ground Beef: 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) or ground turkey/chicken.
- Potatoes: 4 cups peeled and diced Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes).
- Veggies: 2 medium carrots (sliced), 2 ribs celery (diced), and 1 medium yellow onion (diced).
- Beef or Chicken Broth: 4 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth).
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups freshly shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese.
- Whole Milk / Cream: 1.5 cups whole milk (or half-and-half) for velvety richness.
- Butter & Flour: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to make a light roux).
- Garlic & Seasonings: 3 cloves minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Toppings: Crispy chopped bacon, extra melted cheddar, and sliced green onions.
How to Make Creamy Cheeseburger Soup (Step-by-Step)
1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it into bite-sized morsels with a wooden spoon until browned throughout. Drain any excess grease if desired.
2. Sauté Veggies & Simmer: Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, diced onions, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Make Creamy Cheese Broth: In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, whisk in the flour for 1 minute, then whisk in the whole milk until smooth. Pour the milk mixture into the soup pot. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and velvety smooth.
4. Ladle, Top & Serve: Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle into warm soup bowls. Top generously with extra shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, and sliced green onions. Serve with warm toasted sourdough or crusty garlic bread!
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Shred your own cheese: Pre-bagged shredded cheese contains cellulose anti-caking agents that can cause soups to become grainy
- Freshly shredding sharp cheddar from a block creates the smoothest, creamiest texture!
- Low heat for adding cheese: Always turn down the heat to low before stirring in the cheese
- Boiling cheese can cause it to separate and become oily
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup
- Breads: Warm garlic breadsticks, toasted sourdough, or soft dinner rolls.
- Salad: A crisp green side salad with ranch or Italian dressing.
- Pickles: Garnish individual bowls with a couple of dill pickle slices for that authentic cheeseburger experience!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To Store: Let soup cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the soup if it has thickened in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this in a Slow Cooker?
Yes! Brown beef and sauté onions, then add to slow cooker with potatoes, carrots, celery, broth, and seasonings. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours. Whisk together melted butter, flour, and milk, stir into the slow cooker along with the cheese, and cook on HIGH for 20 minutes until thickened.
Can I use Velveeta instead of Cheddar?
Yes! You can use 8 oz of cubed Velveeta or American cheese for an ultra-creamy diner-style cheeseburger soup.
More Cozy Soup Recipes to Savor Next
- Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup — Olive Garden-style soup with pillowy potato gnocchi.
- Creamy Sausage Ditalini Soup — 30-minute one-pot Italian soup with kale and Parmesan.
- Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup — Creamy San Marzano tomato soup with cheese tortellini.
Cheeseburger Soup
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the comforting warmth of cheeseburger soup, a delightful blend of ground beef, creamy cheese, and hearty vegetables. This soul-soothing dish brings the flavors of a classic cheeseburger to your bowl, making it a perfect choice for chilly evenings or family gatherings. Easy to prepare and endlessly customizable, this recipe will quickly become a favorite for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekends.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
- 4 cups peeled and diced Yukon Gold potatoes (about 3 medium)
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1.5 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Crispy bacon crumbles and sliced green onions (for topping)
Instructions
- Brown Ground Beef: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and crumble for 5 to 6 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Sauté Veggies & Simmer: Add diced potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 3 mins. Pour in beef broth, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
- Add Creamy Cheese: Melt remaining 2 tbsp butter, whisk with flour, then whisk in milk until smooth. Stir into the soup. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in sharp cheddar until melted and creamy.
- Ladle & Garnish: Ladle into bowls and top with extra cheddar cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, and sliced green onions. Serve warm with crusty bread!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Mueller 10-in-1 Vegetable Chopper – Slice, Dice & Mince Effortlessly! 
