The Best Cheeseburger Soup Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort meets culinary magic in this cheeseburger soup that promises pure deliciousness.

Creamy textures blend with hearty meat and potato chunks for an incredible dining experience.

Midwest kitchens inspired this crowd-pleasing recipe that feels like a warm hug.

Savory ingredients dance together, creating a meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Crispy bacon bits and melted cheese elevate every single spoonful beyond ordinary soup expectations.

Rich flavors capture the essence of a classic burger in liquid form.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this irresistible bowl of comfort.

Grab a spoon and let the deliciousness begin!

The Best Cheeseburger Soup: Why It’s a Crowd Pleaser

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this hearty soup in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy families craving a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Burger Flavor Magic: Capture all the delicious cheeseburger flavors in a warm, creamy soup that transforms a classic burger into a cozy, satisfying dish everyone will love.
• Customizable Comfort: Top your soup with favorite cheeseburger toppings like crispy bacon, tangy pickles, or fresh chives to create a personalized dining experience that keeps everyone excited.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this single-pot recipe that combines protein, vegetables, and cheesy goodness into a complete meal that's both practical and delicious.

Ingredients for Cheeseburger Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty meat that provides the classic cheeseburger flavor and protein for the soup.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery, Garlic: A flavor-building combination that creates a rich and balanced base for the soup.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables.
• Flour: Creates a smooth roux to thicken the soup.
• Milk: Provides creaminess and helps blend the soup's texture.
• Cheddar Cheese, Cream Cheese: Melts into the soup to create a rich, cheesy flavor reminiscent of a cheeseburger.

• Broth: Provides the foundational liquid and depth of flavor for the soup.

• Salt, Pepper: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the soup.

• Bacon, Pickles, Tomatoes, Chives, Sour Cream: Additional toppings that add extra flavor and texture to the soup.

How to Cook Cheeseburger Soup

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a large pot over medium flame.

Cook ground beef until it turns golden brown and develops a rich, meaty flavor.

Carefully drain away any extra fat, keeping the flavorful beef ready for later.

Step 2: Saute Vegetable Base

• Chopped onions
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery
• Minced garlic

Stir the vegetables until they become soft and release their aromatic essence.

Step 3: Create Creamy Thickener

Sprinkle flour over the sauteed vegetables, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.

Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste and develop a golden color.

Step 4: Build Soup Foundation

Slowly pour in broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.

Add diced potatoes and let the mixture simmer gently.

Step 5: Tenderize Potatoes

Allow the soup to cook for 15-20 minutes, letting the potatoes become perfectly tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 6: Incorporate Cheese Blend

• Milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese

Blend until the cheeses melt completely, creating a luxuriously creamy texture.

Step 7: Combine and Season

Return the cooked ground beef to the pot.

Season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

Top with optional garnishes like crispy bacon bits, tangy pickles, fresh tomatoes, chopped chives, or a dollop of sour cream.

Tips for Perfect Cheeseburger Soup

• Remove as much grease as possible from ground beef to prevent a greasy soup texture and reduce unnecessary calories.
• Cook flour with butter for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a rich, smooth base for the soup.
• Add cheese off direct heat and stir gradually to prevent clumping and ensure a silky, creamy consistency.
• Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Use low-sodium broth and control salt levels to create a healthier version without compromising flavor.

Variations to Try on Cheeseburger Soup

• Vegetarian Burger Soup: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free version that maintains the hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cheeseburger Soup: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrates while keeping the creamy consistency and rich taste.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk, nutritional yeast in place of cheese, and cashew cream as a cheese substitute for those with dairy restrictions.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired cheeseburger soup experience.

Serving Recommendations for Cheeseburger Soup

• Comfort Plate Pairing: Serve alongside crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the delicious cheesy soup base.
• Hearty Topping Adventure: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits, diced fresh chives, and a dollop of tangy sour cream for extra flavor and texture contrast.
• Balanced Meal Companion: Pair with a light mixed green salad dressed with a zesty vinaigrette to create a complete, satisfying dinner experience that balances the rich soup.
• Flavor Boost Trick: Offer extra shredded cheddar cheese and chopped pickles on the side, allowing guests to customize their soup with personal favorite toppings.

Storage Tips for Cheeseburger Soup

• Store the soup in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Pour into a pot, stir occasionally, and warm over medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or milk to restore creamy consistency if needed.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching.

FAQs

• Is this soup kid-friendly?

Yes, kids usually love this soup because it’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with familiar burger ingredients that children enjoy.

• Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Substitute regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to create the roux and keep the soup’s thickness.

• How nutritious is cheeseburger soup?

The soup provides protein from beef, vitamins from vegetables, and calcium from cheese, making it a balanced one-pot meal with multiple food groups.

• What cheese works best for this recipe?

Sharp cheddar cheese gives the best flavor, but you can also use mild cheddar or a cheese blend for different taste profiles.

The Best Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Wisconsin cheeseburger soup delights families with rich, creamy flavors from ground beef and melted cheese. Comforting ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave during cold winter evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional: Cooked and crumbled bacon

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Thickeners:

• 4 cups chicken or beef broth
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown the ground beef, ensuring complete rendering of fat. Carefully drain and reserve the meat.
2. In the identical pot, melt butter and gently sauté chopped onions, diced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour across the vegetable mixture, creating a smooth roux. Continuously stir and cook for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
4. Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking consistently to prevent lumps. Incorporate diced potatoes and allow the mixture to simmer gently.
5. Reduce heat and let the soup cook for 15-18 minutes, periodically stirring, until potatoes reach a soft, fork-tender consistency.
6. Pour milk into the pot and gradually blend cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring constantly until the cheeses completely dissolve and create a luxurious, smooth texture.
7. Reintroduce the previously cooked ground beef into the soup. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
8. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and customize with optional garnishes like crispy bacon bits, tangy pickles, fresh tomato cubes, chopped chives, or a dollop of creamy sour cream.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that maintains the soup’s hearty flavor profile.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and monitoring salt content during seasoning for those watching their salt intake.
• Enhance texture by ensuring potatoes are cut uniformly, allowing even cooking and consistent bite throughout the soup.
• Consider making this soup ahead of time, as flavors develop and deepen when reheated, creating an even more delicious meal the next day.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg