Amazing 50-Minute Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Oh, you know those nights, right? When you just need something deeply comforting, but you absolutely cannot face a complicated recipe? I’ve totally been there a million times since I started balancing my marketing background with actually feeding my family real food. That’s why I’m obsessed with developing reliable recipes that bring that soulful taste—the kind my grandmother used to create—back to an everyday Tuesday. Trust me, saving flavors instead of ordering delivery is my superpower now. Today’s hero is the ultimate answer to that deep craving: my go-to cheeseburger soup recipe. It’s hearty, it’s ridiculously cheesy, and it tastes exactly like your favorite burger, all ready in under an hour!

Why This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is Your New Weeknight Hero

When you’re staring down a busy evening, you need a dinner that delivers enormous flavor with minimal fuss, and that’s exactly what this soup does. It’s pure comfort food magic condensed into a single pot. This cheeseburger soup recipe is satisfying, loaded with familiar burger flavors, and it’s fast enough for any night of the week.

Here’s why I know you’ll love making this your new standard:

• It hits all the right notes: savory beef, tender potatoes, and that glorious blanket of melted cheese.
• It’s a one-pot wonder, meaning cleanup is a breeze!
• The flavor profile genuinely tastes like a gourmet, loaded cheeseburger tucked into a cozy bowl.

Quick Preparation for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

Seriously, you can have this soup spooned into bowls in about 50 minutes total. That includes chopping time! Because we’re keeping this on the stovetop, you have total control over the heat and the speed. It’s the perfect simple recipe for when you need a warm hug but don’t have hours to simmer things away.

Achieving the Perfect Creamy Soup Recipe Texture

That smooth, velvety consistency we all crave in a great Creamy Soup Recipe? That comes from making a quick slurry with the flour and milk *before* adding it to the hot broth. It thickens things up perfectly. And if you want that almost impossibly smooth cheese melt, don’t skip the optional processed cheese—it helps hold the dairy structure together beautifully!

SAVE IT

Gathering Ingredients for the Best Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Okay, let’s talk about what you need to pull this magic together! Since this is a one-pot wonder, the chopping is really the most intense part, and I promise it flies by. I’ve listed everything out below. When you’re shopping, try to grab the sharpest cheddar cheese you can find. That robust flavor really cuts through the richness of the dairy and beef, which is key for that authentic cheeseburger taste in this cheeseburger soup recipe.

• 1 pound ground beef (I usually use 85/15 myself!)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Velveeta or processed cheese, cubed (optional, for extra creaminess)
• Optional Toppings: Diced pickles, chopped raw onion, bacon bits

Ingredient Notes and Substitution Tips

I always get questions about the cheese blend, so let’s clarify. That 8 ounces of sharp cheddar? That’s for flavor, baby! But that half-cup of Velveeta, or any good processed cheese, it’s my secret insurance policy. It melts down perfectly smooth and keeps that soup from ever getting that stringy, oily look. I highly recommend keeping it in, especially if you’re pressed for time, because skipping it might mean you have to spend more time stirring later to emulsify everything.

If you’re trying to speed things up even more than my recipe already allows for an Easy Weeknight Dinner, you can absolutely substitute the onion, carrots, and celery with about 1.5 cups of frozen mirepoix mix. Just add the frozen mix right in with the broth and potatoes and let it simmer longer until everything is soft. And for the potatoes? If you have leftover baked potatoes from last night? Perfect! Dice those up and toss them in when you add the broth; it brings out such a great texture in the final cheeseburger soup recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Stovetop Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where watching the clock matters just a tiny bit, especially when we start simmering, but don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every second. Since this is a stovetop method, we get that great flavor developed quickly. If you follow my timing steps here, you’ll have the most perfect, easy cheeseburger soup recipe ready for dinner.

Browning Beef and Sautéing Aromatics

First things first, get that ground beef browning in your big pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. You want it fully cooked through, crumbly, and nice and brown. The absolute most important part here is draining off every bit of that excess grease! Seriously, blot it out if you have to. Nobody wants a greasy soup bowl, even if it tastes like a burger, right? That leaves a much cleaner base for our flavor.

Next, toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery right there with the beef. We’re going to sauté those veggies until they just start getting soft—that takes about 5 to 7 minutes. They need that time to sweat out their sweetness before we add the liquids.

Simmering the Ground Beef Soup Base

Time to get saucy! Pour in the beef broth, those diced potatoes, the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir and bring the whole thing up to a low boil. Once it’s bubbling nicely, knock that heat down, cover the pot, and let those potatoes get tender. This simmering part takes about 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when you can pierce them easily with a fork.

This simmering stage is what lets all those seasonings really soak into the potatoes, making this Ground Beef Soup taste way deeper than its short cook time suggests.

SAVE IT

Thickening and Melting Cheese for the Final Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Now, the texture magic! In a separate little bowl, you need to whisk your flour right into the milk until it’s totally smooth. No lumps allowed here, so really work that whisk until no powdery bits are visible. Slowly stream that milk mixture into your simmering soup while stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the whole soup thickens up a bit—you’ll start to feel the weight change in the pot.

This is the critical moment for the cheese. Reduce the heat way down to low—I mean barely a flicker! Gradually start stirring in the shredded cheddar and that optional processed cheese, a little bit at a time. Stir gently until every last bit of cheese is perfectly melted and the soup is creamy and glossy smooth. Listen to me: **Do not let this soup boil** after you add the cheese, or it will separate on you! Keep that simmer low and slow while you melt.

SAVE IT

Tips for Success with This Hearty Soup Idea

I love how versatile this soup is! It’s certainly a fantastic Hearty Soup Idea for tossing together quickly on the stove, but since I know life gets hectic, I always keep alternatives up my sleeve. Getting rich flavor without stress is my whole mission here at Carla’s Cooking.

Adapting Your Cheeseburger Soup Recipe for Different Diets

If you’re navigating a gluten sensitivity, don’t panic! When you get to the milk and flour thickening step, you have an easy swap. Instead of that flour slurry, mix about 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch into an equal amount of *cold* water until it’s smooth. Whisk that into the simmering base, and it will thicken up just as beautifully, minus the gluten. It’s honestly just as reliable, which means everyone gets to enjoy this amazing cheeseburger soup recipe.

See? This recipe is super flexible if you just know where to swap things out. It boosts my confidence that I can feed everyone at the table without making completely different meals!

Alternative Cooking Methods for Your Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

If you have time on the weekend, or maybe you just despise standing over the stove after a long day, the slow cooker method I tucked into the notes is an absolute dream. You still need to brown the beef and cook those veggies first—I never cut that corner, because developing that initial flavor base is essential for a great cheeseburger soup recipe.

Once browned, everything goes into the crockpot except the dairy and cheese. Cook it low for about 6 to 8 hours. Then, during the final half hour, wake it up by stirring in your flour/milk slurry and melting in all that glorious cheese. It tastes just as wonderful, only it’s ready when you walk in the door instead of needing your attention mid-afternoon.

Serving Suggestions: Creating the Ultimate Burger in a Bowl

We’ve made the soup—it’s creamy, it’s savory, it’s beef-laden perfection. But what makes this truly a Burger in a Bowl, and not just a beef and potato soup? It’s all about the toppings, friends! I always put out a little topping bar for dinner whenever I make this because letting everyone customize their own bowl is half the fun, and it perfectly mimics ordering your favorite burger just the way you like it.

Those optional toppings I listed? They aren’t optional in my book for delivering the full flavor punch. Don’t skip the diced pickles! That little burst of tartness cuts through the richness of the cheddar and beef in such a wonderful way. It’s a bright, unexpected, authentic burger flavor.

Here are my must-haves for the topping station:

• Finely diced raw onion (or some crispy fried onions if you have them!)
• A bowl of crispy bacon bits—because bacon makes everything better, obviously.
• Those diced dill pickles we talked about.
• Extra shredded sharp cheddar for sprinkling right before serving.
• Maybe a dash of hot sauce for the grown-ups!

SAVE IT

Since this soup is so hearty—thanks to the beef and potatoes—you don’t need a ton of sides, but I love serving it with something crisp to scoop up any last bits from the bowl. A simple, lightly dressed side salad using fresh salad greens is perfect. Or, if you have a few extra minutes, toast up some sturdy bread with a little garlic butter. Dipping that crispy bread into the thick, cheesy tomato base? That’s unbeatable comfort, folks. Enjoy turning this simple soup into your ultimate customized meal!

Storage and Reheating the Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Now that you’ve made this amazing cheeseburger soup recipe, you’re probably wondering how long it lasts. Because we packed this with so much glorious dairy—the milk and all that cheese—we have to be a little mindful of storage, but honestly, the leftovers are almost better the next day!

Once the soup has cooled down slightly, pop it into an airtight container. You can keep this in the fridge safely for about 3 to 4 days. It does freeze okay, but honestly, the texture of the cheese and potatoes can get a little funky when it thaws out, so I always favor making enough for 2 or 3 meals fresh.

How to Gently Reheat Your Soup

When it’s time for round two, patience is your friend. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to blast this on high heat in the microwave or melt it too fast on the stove! The dairy will try to separate on you.

The best method is definitely the stovetop. Put your portion in a saucepan over medium-low heat. You’ll need to stir it pretty often as it warms up. If it seems too thick—and it usually does after resting in the fridge—just splash in a tiny bit of extra milk or even just water until you get that creamy consistency back.

Dealing with Thawed Soup

If you did decide to freeze some, thaw it overnight in the fridge first. When reheating, treat it exactly like the refrigerated leftovers: low heat on the stove, stirring consistently. If you notice it looks a little broken once it gets hot, don’t panic! Take it off the heat, whisk vigorously—get some air into it! This often re-emulsifies the fats and liquids enough to bring back that beautiful, smooth texture we worked so hard to achieve in the original cheeseburger soup recipe.

Why Proper Reheating Matters for Creamy Soups

It all comes down to the starch from the flour and the fats in the cheese and beef. When they get super cold, they bind up tightly. Heating them slowly lets everything loosen up gradually. Trust me on this one; the few extra minutes you put into reheating gently will save you from a grainy, disappointing bowl of soup and keep that smooth Comfort Food Soup feeling intact!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Comfort Food Soup

I get so many questions about this soup because everyone wants to make it perfectly! It’s my most requested comfort food soup, and I’m happy to share my tricks. Here are some of the things folks ask me most often when they’re getting ready to cook up a batch of this amazing cheeseburger soup recipe.

Can I make this cheeseburger soup recipe with ground turkey?

You absolutely can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey! I’ve done it myself when I’m trying to lean things out a bit. The main difference is that turkey is much leaner, and our soup gets a lot of its rich flavor from the beef fat that we normally drain off. If you go the turkey route, I really suggest using a richer broth—maybe one with a bit more depth, or even adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to compensate for that missing savory flavor. Turkey works, but you might feel like you miss a little something without that beefy punch.

What is the best cheese for creamy soup recipe results?

This is where you can tailor the flavor, but you have to respect the texture! For that spot-on, unbelievably smooth texture—the signature of a great creamy soup recipe—you really need a blend. I stick to the sharp cheddar for that classic, tangy flavor, but that 1/2 cup of processed cheese (like Velveeta) is what keeps the whole thing from breaking when it cools down or gets reheated. It’s dairy insurance! If you want to skip the processed cheese but still need that velvet texture, substitute it with an equal amount of Gruyère. It melts like a dream and brings an amazing nutty flavor, though it costs a bit more than Velveeta!

Is this a good recipe for meal planning?

Oh yes, this is fantastic for meal planning! Since it reheats so well on the stovetop, I often double the batch on Sunday just to have it ready for Tuesday or Wednesday nights. It’s one of those meals that tastes even better the next day once the potatoes have fully soaked up all that cheesy goodness. It’s certainly cheaper and healthier than relying on sending out for things like some of the pricey meal delivery companies, and you know exactly what went into it. It’s soup perfection prepped ahead of time!

Estimated Nutritional Information for This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

I always get excited when I pull up the numbers for this cheeseburger soup recipe because, honestly, it tastes so much richer than the stats suggest! You are getting a hearty, filling, incredibly comforting dinner that packs a good punch of protein and fiber, especially if you load up on those vegetables.

Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates. The final count can shift quite a bit depending on the sodium level in your beef broth or whether you use the full amount of sharp cheddar versus cutting back. But for a satisfying bowl of soup that tastes like a diner classic, I think these numbers are pretty wonderful for a weeknight meal!

Here is the general breakdown for one serving (about 1.5 cups):

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 26g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 750mg (This emphasizes why high-quality broth is important!)

If you are trying to keep an eye on things like fats or sodium, remember that topping bar is where you take control! Use leaner ground beef, skip the optional processed cheese, and go easy on the bacon bits if you need to trim those numbers down even further. But for a true, loaded cheeseburger soup recipe experience, I say enjoy it!

Share Your Cozy Winter Dinner Experience

Well, that’s it! You’ve done it! You’ve transformed simple pantry staples into an absolutely decadent, rich, and hug-in-a-bowl Cozy Winter Dinner. I truly hope that first spoonful of creamy, cheesy goodness brought a happy sigh to your face. Since this is one of those recipes that just begs to be customized, I desperately want to know what you cooked up!

Did you go all-out on the toppings bar? Did you use bacon? Did you take my advice and sneak in that secret dash of Worcestershire sauce? Tell me everything!

Please leave a rating below—five stars if you think this deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation! And if you snapped a picture of your glorious bowl of soup, tag me on social media! Seeing your creations and reading your comments truly makes my day here in the kitchen. Thank you so much for trusting me with your dinner plans. Happy cooking, and come back soon for more simple, joyful recipes!

Easy Stovetop Cheeseburger Soup

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Make this creamy, cheesy Cheeseburger Soup on the stovetop for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes like your favorite burger in a bowl. It includes ground beef, potatoes, and cheddar cheese.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 35 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Velveeta or processed cheese, cubed (optional, for extra creaminess)
• Optional Toppings: Diced pickles, chopped raw onion, bacon bits

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Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain off excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the beef. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Stir in the beef broth, diced potatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the milk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the simmering soup, stirring constantly until the soup thickens slightly.
5. Reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese and the cubed processed cheese (if using), stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is smooth and creamy. Do not let the soup boil after adding the cheese.
6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
7. Serve hot, topped with diced pickles, chopped onion, or bacon bits for the full cheeseburger experience. This recipe is a great alternative to ordering from meal delivery companies when you want homemade comfort.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, substitute half the beef broth with a cup of your favorite keto meal plan delivery broth base if you are watching carbs.
• If you prefer a slow cooker method, brown the beef and sauté the vegetables first, then transfer everything except the cheese and milk to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in the flour/milk slurry and cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• This recipe is easy to adapt for a gluten-free meal by using cornstarch mixed with cold water instead of flour to thicken the broth.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6
• Sodium: 750
• Fat: 28
• Saturated Fat: 14
• Unsaturated Fat: 14
• Trans Fat: 1
• Carbohydrates: 22
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 26
• Cholesterol: 90