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
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, draining excess fat, and set aside.
- Aromatic Base: Melt butter in the same pot, sauté onions until translucent, then briefly toast garlic to release its fragrant notes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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