Hearty Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Cozy Bowl of Hearty Cheeseburger Soup Recipe for Comfort Fans

Comfort meets culinary creativity in this delectable cheeseburger soup that brings restaurant-style flavors right to your kitchen.

Packed with ground beef and creamy cheese, this hearty soup reimagines classic burger elements in a warm, satisfying bowl.

Crispy bacon bits and tender potatoes add delightful texture to every spoonful.

Onions and garlic infuse deep, robust notes that complement the rich meaty base.

Melted cheddar cheese swirls through the soup, creating a luxurious backdrop for each savory bite.

Perfectly seasoned and wonderfully filling, this recipe transforms a beloved classic into a comforting meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor every spoonful of this irresistible soup that promises to become a new family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Cheeseburger Soup Must-Have Ingredients

For Protein Base:
  • Ground Beef: Adds hearty, meaty flavor and substantial texture to the soup, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
  • Bacon: Provides crispy, smoky accent that elevates the overall taste, opt for thick-cut varieties for maximum crunch.
For Vegetable Medley:
  • Onion, Garlic: Create aromatic foundation, select fresh firm onions and plump garlic cloves for robust flavor profile.
  • Potatoes, Carrots: Deliver comforting, filling elements, pick firm potatoes without sprouts and bright orange carrots for best results.
For Creamy and Binding Components:
  • Butter, Flour: Develop rich roux base, use unsalted butter for controlled seasoning and all-purpose flour for smooth thickening.
  • Milk, Sour Cream: Craft luxurious, velvety texture, select full-fat dairy for deeper, more indulgent mouthfeel.
  • Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating silky consistency, choose sharp cheddar for bold flavor or mild for gentle creaminess.
For Seasoning and Finishing:
  • Salt, Pepper: Enhance and balance overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for more intense flavor.
  • Green Onions: Offer fresh, zingy garnish, select bright green stalks with crisp white bottoms.
  • Broth: Provides liquid base, chicken or beef stock work wonderfully for deeper flavor complexity.

Tools to Make Cheeseburger Soup a Weeknight Win

  • Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for cooking and combining all soup ingredients, providing ample space for mixing and simmering.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending flour and milk smoothly without lumps.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
  • Small bowl: Helps mix flour and milk mixture separately before adding to soup.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions and potatoes.
  • Sharp knife: Crucial for dicing and preparing ingredients precisely.
  • Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts for consistent results.
  • Cheese grater: Helps shred cheese quickly and evenly.

How to Cook Cheeseburger Soup With Comfort

  • Brown Ground Beef

Sizzle the beef in a spacious pot until it’s fully cooked and golden. Drain away the extra fat, leaving behind the delicious meat.

  • Create Flavor Base

Melt butter and dance the onions around the pot until they turn soft and translucent. Quickly introduce garlic for an aromatic punch.

  • Build Soup Foundation

Toss in potatoes and carrots, then pour broth to cover. Let everything bubble and simmer until vegetables become tender and dreamy.

  • Develop Creamy Texture

Whisk milk and flour into a silky blend. Slowly incorporate this mixture into the soup, stirring continuously to create a luxurious consistency.

  • Melt and Merge

Sprinkle cheese into the pot, watching it transform into a smooth, golden river. Reunite the beef with the soup, mixing everything together.

  • Finish and Garnish

Pull the pot off the heat and swirl in sour cream. Season with salt and pepper. Top with crispy bacon, fresh green onions, or extra cheese crumbles.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the rich, comforting soup into bowls. Pair with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal that hugs your taste buds.

Cheeseburger Soup Variations to Keep Things Fun

  • Cooking Champ's Flavor Boosters: Make Your Cheeseburger Soup Shine
  • Beef Browning Pro Tip: Ensure your ground beef gets a nice golden-brown color for deeper, richer flavor. Don't rush the browning process – let those delicious caramelized bits develop.
  • Creamy Consistency Trick: Prevent cheese from becoming grainy by adding it slowly off direct heat and stirring continuously. Low and gentle is the secret to silky smooth soup.
  • Low-Carb Twist: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets for a lower-carbohydrate version that keeps all the comforting flavor. This swap works perfectly for keto diet followers.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles or black beans. Add smoked paprika for that meaty depth and use vegetable broth to maintain rich taste profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain perfect texture and prevent separation.

Serving Up Cheeseburger Soup With a Twist

  • Comfort Bowl Companion: Pair this hearty cheeseburger soup with a warm slice of garlic bread or crispy saltine crackers for a satisfying crunch and extra texture.
  • Topping Treasure Trove: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or shredded cheddar cheese on top to add layers of flavor and visual appeal.
  • Soup and Salad Duo: Balance the richness of the soup with a light, crisp side salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to refresh your palate.
  • Cozy Meal Upgrade: Transform this soup into a complete meal by serving it alongside a simple grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate comfort food experience.

How to Save and Reheat Cheeseburger Soup Smoothly

  • Refrigeration Tactics: Store leftover soup in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Freezing Strategy: Freeze soup portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Skip adding sour cream before freezing, as it can separate when thawed. Add fresh sour cream after reheating.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Warm soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick during reheating.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare soup ingredients in advance by chopping vegetables and browning beef ahead of time. Store prepped components separately in the refrigerator, combining and cooking when ready to serve for maximum convenience.
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Hearty Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Hearty Cheeseburger Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty cheeseburger soup delivers classic American comfort in a bowl. Rich flavors blend creamy textures with ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheese that satisfy hungry diners seeking warmth and nostalgia.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • 2 cups (480 mL or 16 oz) chicken or beef broth
  • 2 cups (480 mL or 16 oz) whole milk
  • 2 cups (226 g or 8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (120 g or 4 oz) sour cream
  • 2 cups (340 g or 12 oz) potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup (110 g or 4 oz) shredded carrots
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsps (16 g or 0.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsps (28 g or 1 oz) unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Crumbled bacon (optional)
  • Chopped green onions (optional)
  • Extra shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, draining excess fat, and set aside.
  2. Aromatic Base: Melt butter in the same pot, sauté onions until translucent, then briefly toast garlic to release its fragrant notes.
  3. Vegetable Infusion: Add potatoes, carrots, and broth to the pot, bringing to a boil before reducing to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until vegetables reach tender perfection, approximately 10 minutes.
  4. Creamy Integration: Whisk milk and flour into a smooth slurry, then slowly incorporate into the simmering soup, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and ensure a silky texture.
  5. Cheese Transformation: Pour remaining milk into the pot, allowing the soup to thicken. Gradually sprinkle shredded cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a uniform, creamy consistency.
  6. Final Fusion: Reintroduce the cooked ground beef to the pot, mixing thoroughly. Remove from heat and fold in sour cream, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serving Flourish: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, garnishing with optional toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or additional cheese. Serve alongside crusty bread or crackers for a hearty, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Manage Meat Quality: Select lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess fat and prevent greasy soup, ensuring a cleaner flavor profile.
  • Control Potato Texture: Cut potatoes into uniform, small cubes to guarantee even cooking and prevent mushy or undercooked pieces throughout the soup.
  • Prevent Cheese Separation: Remove pot from direct heat before adding cheese, stirring gradually to maintain smooth consistency and prevent grainy texture.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version, use gluten-free flour for thickening, and select lactose-free milk and cheese alternatives for dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 490
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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