Cheeseburger Soup
Add Preferred SourceCheeseburger soup is everything you love about a juicy burger—minus the bun but with all the coziness of a hearty soup. It’s loaded with ground beef, tender potatoes, and melty cheddar, all swimming in a rich, creamy broth. Ready in 35 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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I love making this soup when I need a meal that fills me up without a lot of fuss. It’s easy to throw together, packed with flavor, and always a hit at the table. I love to load my bowl up with toppings like crispy bacon, green onions, or even pickles for that true cheeseburger experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Cheeseburger Soup
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
This simple cheeseburger soup comes together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze (almost my favorite part!). Here’s how you can make it at home.
Brown the Meat
In a large Dutch oven or 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess grease and set the beef aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
Melt two tablespoons of butter in the same pot. Add the chopped onion, shredded carrots, celery, parsley, and basil. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften and start to smell amazing. Then add the cooked ground beef.
Add the Broth and Potatoes
Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced potatoes. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the potatoes are nice and tender.
Thicken the Soup
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until smooth. Slowly stir it into the soup, bringing everything to a gentle boil. Let it cook for another 2 minutes while stirring—this helps thicken the soup to that perfect, creamy consistency.
Add the Cheese and Finish It Off
Lower the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the soup turns rich and creamy.
Stir in the Sour Cream
Remove the pot from the heat and mix in the sour cream until it’s fully combined. This gives the soup that extra velvety texture and a little tangy kick.
Serve and Enjoy!
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy bacon, croutons, green onions, or even a few chopped pickles for that full cheeseburger experience. Serve warm and enjoy every spoonful!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¾ cup onion chopped
- ¾ cup carrots shredded
- ¾ cup celery diced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 ½ cups milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a 3-quart saucepan.1 pound ground beef
- Add the butter, onion, shredded carrots, parsley, basil, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.¾ cup onion, ¾ cup carrots, ¾ cup celery, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 4 tablespoons butter
- Add the broth, potatoes, and cooked beef to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.3 cups chicken broth, 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- Mix the flour and milk until dissolved.¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups milk
- Add the roux to the soup, bring it to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheese, milk, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted.2 cups cheddar cheese, Salt and pepper
- Remove from heat and blend in the sour cream until smooth.¼ cup sour cream
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef: Less grease means a cleaner, smoother soup. You can also swap it with ground turkey, chicken, or even pork.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese gives the best flavor, but Velveeta melts super smoothly. A mix of both works beautifully! For a little spice, try adding some pepper jack.
- Make it gluten-free: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative or use cornstarch as a thickener.
- Spice it up: A pinch of cayenne or a little pepper jack cheese can add some heat.
- Add extra veggies: This is a great recipe to clear out the fridge! If you have extra veggies lying around like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers, throw them in too!
- Don’t skip the sour cream: It adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess to the soup.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: The soup thickens as it sits, so when reheating, just add a splash of broth or milk to bring back the perfect consistency.
- Freeze: Dairy-based soups can separate when frozen, so if you plan to freeze it, leave out the cheese, milk, and sour cream. Add them in when reheating for the best texture.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Tips
I love little tricks that make a recipe even better. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making this cheeseburger soup:
- Use lean ground beef: Less grease means a cleaner, smoother soup. You can also swap it with ground turkey, chicken, or even pork.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese gives the best flavor, but Velveeta melts super smoothly. A mix of both works beautifully! For a little spice, try adding some pepper jack.
- Make it gluten-free: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative or use cornstarch as a thickener.
- Spice it up: A pinch of cayenne or a little pepper jack cheese can add some heat.
- Add extra veggies: This is a great recipe to clear out the fridge! If you have extra veggies lying around like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers, throw them in too!
- Don’t skip the sour cream: It adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess to the soup.
How to Store Leftover Cheeseburger Soup
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup thickens as it sits, so when reheating, just add a splash of broth or milk to bring back the perfect consistency. Dairy-based soups can separate when frozen, so if you plan to freeze it, leave out the cheese, milk, and sour cream. Add them in when reheating for the best texture.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Making a delicious, hearty soup doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some simple ways to save money while keeping all the flavor!
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken: They’re often cheaper than beef and still taste great.
- Buy cheese in blocks: Pre-shredded cheese costs more and sometimes has additives that affect melting.
- Make your own broth: Use leftover chicken bones or veggie scraps to create a homemade broth instead of buying store-bought.
What to Serve With Cheeseburger Soup
Cheeseburger soup is a meal on its own, but pairing it with the right side makes it even better. A warm, buttery slice of garlic bread is perfect for dipping into that creamy broth, while a simple side salad adds a fresh crunch to balance the richness. If you’re in the mood for extra indulgence, a gooey grilled cheese sandwich makes a fantastic companion, or you can spoon the soup over a baked potato for an ultra-comforting meal. And for a little something extra, a few pickles on the side bring a tangy bite that completes the full cheeseburger experience.
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