Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite comfort food: this rich and creamy Cheeseburger Soup. Imagine all the savory, satisfying flavors of a classic cheeseburger transformed into a hearty, soul-warming soup. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for a chilly evening, a family dinner, or whenever you crave something truly indulgent. This recipe is packed with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a velvety cheese sauce that will have everyone asking for a second bowl. Best of all, it comes together quickly and easily, making it a go-to for busy weeknights.
We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure it’s incredibly flavorful and has the perfect consistency. Forget thin, watery soups; this is a thick and hearty dish that eats like a meal. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable. Whether you like it spicy, loaded with bacon, or want a low-carb version, we’ve got you covered with tips and variations below. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: We use a blend of seasonings and a rich, cheesy broth to perfectly capture that classic cheeseburger taste.
- Thick & Creamy Texture: A simple roux and plenty of cheese create a luxuriously smooth and hearty consistency.
- Quick & Easy: This one-pot wonder is ready in under an hour, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s a fun and delicious twist on a family favorite.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with different toppings, cheeses, or even make a keto-friendly version.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Cheeseburger Soup
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Soup Base
- Ground Beef: We recommend using 85/15 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and fat.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational layer of flavor.
- Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best, as they become tender and creamy when cooked.
- Beef Broth: Provides a rich, savory base for the soup.
- Milk & Heavy Cream: The combination creates an ultra-creamy texture that’s simply irresistible.
The “Cheeseburger” Elements
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese provides the classic, tangy cheeseburger flavor. Freshly grated cheese melts best!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a deep, umami flavor that enhances the beefiness of the soup.
- Ketchup & Mustard: A touch of these classic condiments gives the soup its authentic cheeseburger tang.
For the Garnish (Optional but Recommended!)
- Crispy Bacon Bits
- Diced Pickles or Relish
- Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Diced Tomatoes
- Extra Shredded Cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cheeseburger Soup
Making this soup is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, cook the ground beef with the diced onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Soup Base: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir to combine. Cook for one minute to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Simmer: Add the diced potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Slowly stir in the milk and heavy cream. Be careful not to let the soup boil after adding the dairy.
- Melt the Cheese: Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, one handful at a time, stirring until each addition is fully melted before adding the next. This ensures a smooth, velvety cheese sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if needed. Ladle the hot Cheeseburger Soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like bacon, pickles, and sesame seeds.
Pro Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Soup
Want to take your soup from great to absolutely amazing? Follow these simple tips.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can make your soup grainy. For the smoothest, creamiest texture, always grate a block of cheese yourself.
- Don’t Boil the Dairy: Once you add the milk, cream, and cheese, keep the heat on low. Boiling can cause the dairy to curdle and separate.
- Dice Potatoes Evenly: Cut your potatoes into small, uniform pieces (about 1/2-inch cubes) to ensure they cook quickly and evenly.
- For an even richer flavor, try swapping half of the ground beef for ground sausage. The extra seasoning in the sausage adds a wonderful depth. For other unique flavor combinations, check out this Sausage, Black Beans, and Rice recipe.
Delicious Cheeseburger Soup Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few popular variations to try:
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
To make this in a slow cooker, brown the beef, onion, and garlic on the stove as directed. Transfer the mixture to your crockpot and stir in the flour. Add the potatoes, broth, and seasonings. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender. Stir in the dairy and cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Keto or Low-Carb Cheeseburger Soup
For a low-carb version, simply swap the potatoes for cauliflower florets. You will also want to use a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum instead of flour. It’s a delicious and satisfying option, much like this Keto Pizza Casserole.
Spicy Cheeseburger Soup
If you like a little heat, add a diced jalapeño along with the onion, or stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other seasonings. A dash of your favorite hot sauce also works wonderfully. For another spicy favorite, try these Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas.
What to Serve with Your Soup
This soup is a hearty meal all on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping, like a Homemade Baguette, a simple side salad, soft pretzel bites, or even crispy onion rings.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover Cheeseburger Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The soup will thicken as it cools.
Can You Freeze This Soup?
Soups with a dairy and cheese base can sometimes separate when frozen and thawed. While you can freeze it, the texture may not be as smooth upon reheating. If you plan to freeze it, consider leaving out the dairy and cheese, freezing the base, and then adding them in as you reheat.
How to Reheat
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheeseburger Soup
Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be made without processed cheese. We use real sharp cheddar cheese combined with milk and heavy cream to create a naturally smooth and velvety sauce. The key is to melt the freshly shredded cheese slowly over low heat.
The recipe uses a flour-based roux as a thickener. If you want it even thicker, you can create a small slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then slowly stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired consistency.
This recipe as written is not gluten-free because it uses all-purpose flour as a thickener. To make it gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend or use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup instead.
For a fantastic low-carb or keto-friendly alternative, substitute the potatoes with an equal amount of cauliflower florets. They will become tender in the soup and absorb all the delicious flavors.
A good quality sharp or medium cheddar cheese provides the best classic ‘cheeseburger’ flavor. For best results, buy a block and shred it yourself. You could also use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for extra creaminess.
More Delicious Soup Recipes to Try
If you loved this recipe, you’re sure to enjoy some of our other favorite soups. Try our savory Lasagna Soup Recipe for another comforting classic, or our spicy Poblano Chicken Tortilla Soup for a kick of flavor.
Enjoy Your New Favorite Comfort Meal!
This Cheeseburger Soup recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that brings all the flavors of America’s favorite food into one delicious, comforting bowl. It’s the perfect meal to warm you up from the inside out. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more amazing recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Cheeseburger Soup
Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Creamy & Comforting Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, cook the ground beef with the diced onion over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in the beef broth. Add the diced potatoes, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in the milk and heavy cream. Heat gently, but do not boil.
- Add the shredded cheese in handfuls, stirring until smooth and melted between each addition.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, topped with your favorite cheeseburger garnishes.
Notes
Do not let the soup boil after adding the milk, cream, or cheese, as it can cause curdling.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
