Craving ultimate comfort food? This incredible cheeseburger soup is your answer! Imagine a rich, creamy broth packed with savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melty cheese. It delivers all the beloved flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a warm, satisfying bowl. Get ready for a delicious meal that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Soup
This ultimate cheeseburger soup is a true family favorite for many reasons!
- It’s incredibly comforting and satisfying, especially on a chilly evening.
- You can whip up this delicious meal in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customize each bowl with your favorite burger toppings like bacon bits or pickles.
- It’s a fantastic way to enjoy classic flavors in a warm, hearty form.
- Even beginner cooks will find this recipe straightforward and enjoyable to prepare.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your own delicious cheeseburger soup:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ¾ cup diced celery
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 4 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups Velveeta processed cheese cubed (or 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese)
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup sour cream
Notes & Substitutions
Ground Beef: Choose an 80/20 lean ground beef for great flavor and texture, but feel free to use leaner options like 90/10 if you prefer less fat. Just ensure you drain any excess grease thoroughly.
Velveeta/Cheddar: Velveeta provides an incredibly smooth and creamy texture to your soup. For a sharper cheese flavor, use freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. You can even combine them for a balance of creaminess and tang.
Vegetables: The recipe calls for onion, carrots, and celery, which form a classic mirepoix base. Feel free to add other veggies like corn, bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach for extra nutrients and flavor in your creamy burger soup.
Broth: Chicken broth works wonderfully here, offering a lighter base. You can easily substitute it with beef broth for an even deeper, more robust beefy flavor that complements the ground beef perfectly.
Milk: Whole milk creates a richer, creamier soup. For a slightly lighter option, use 2% milk. Almond milk or oat milk can also work as dairy-free alternatives, but they may slightly alter the final texture and flavor of this comforting cheeseburger soup.
Equipment
You won’t need much specialized equipment for this amazing cheeseburger soup recipe.
- A large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (at least 5-6 quarts) is essential for simmering the soup.
- A small skillet helps you prepare the roux separately for easy thickening.
- A sturdy whisk is perfect for blending the roux and melting the cheese smoothly.
- Grab a sharp knife and a cutting board for efficient vegetable prep.

Hearty Delicious Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium‑high heat; drain excess grease and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add chopped onion, shredded carrots, diced celery, dried basil, and parsley. Sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return cooked ground beef to the pot. Add chicken broth and diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10–12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Stir in flour and cook for 3–5 minutes to make a roux.
- Add the roux to the soup, bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes to thicken.
- Reduce heat to low. Add cubed Velveeta, milk, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Cook and stir until cheese is completely melted and the soup is creamy.
- Remove from heat and stir in sour cream until fully blended. Serve warm.
Notes
Instructions
Let’s make this incredible cheeseburger soup together with these easy steps:
- Brown the ground beef: In a large, 3-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s completely browned. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the pan and set the cooked beef aside in a bowl.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the chopped onion, shredded carrots, diced celery, dried parsley flakes, and dried basil. Cook these vegetables over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become tender.
- Simmer the soup base: Return the browned ground beef to the saucepan with the cooked vegetables. Pour in the 3 cups of chicken broth and add the peeled and diced potatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Prepare the roux: While the soup simmers, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the ¼ cup of all-purpose flour with a whisk. Cook and stir this mixture constantly for 3-5 minutes, creating a bubbly roux. This helps thicken the creamy burger soup.
- Thicken the soup: Add the prepared roux directly into the simmering soup in the large saucepan. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook and stir for another 2 minutes until the soup visibly thickens. Reduce the heat back to low.
- Add cheese and milk: Stir in the cubed Velveeta (or shredded cheddar cheese), 1 ½ cups of milk, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of pepper. Continue to cook and stir gently over low heat. Be patient and stir until all the cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the soup, creating a smooth, creamy texture for your homemade cheeseburger stew.
- Finish with sour cream: Once the cheese is fully melted, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the ¼ cup of sour cream until it’s fully blended and smooth. This adds a lovely tang and extra creaminess to your finished cheeseburger soup. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving the Perfect Consistency: For a thicker, heartier soup, you can add a little more flour to your roux next time, or reduce the broth slightly. If your soup is too thick, simply stir in a splash more milk or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Preventing Cheese from Curdling: According to food science research, cheese proteins can tighten and separate when exposed to high temperatures, causing curdling in soups. Always add cheese to the soup after reducing the heat to low, and never let the soup boil once the cheese is added. Stir constantly until the cheese melts smoothly. High heat can cause the cheese to separate.
Tips for Browning Ground Beef: Ensure your pan is hot before adding the beef to get a good sear. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if cooking a larger batch, brown in stages. Drain the fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy soup.
Making Ahead and Reheating Advice: This delicious cheeseburger soup tastes even better the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When reheating, do so gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring often to prevent scorching and keep the cheese smooth. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to thin it out slightly.
Adjusting Seasoning to Taste: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust salt and pepper as needed. A pinch of garlic powder or a dash of hot sauce can also enhance the flavors of this hearty cheeseburger soup.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
Serving Suggestions: Top your steaming bowl of cheeseburger soup with classic burger fixings. Crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives or green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, crunchy dill pickle slices, or even a dollop of extra sour cream are fantastic additions. Serve it with crusty bread or croutons for dipping!
Storage: Store any leftover cheeseburger soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This ensures it stays fresh and delicious for future meals.
Reheating: The best way to reheat is gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring in between. Add a splash of milk or broth if it has thickened too much in the fridge.
Freezing: While the flavors hold up, the potatoes and cheese in this soup can sometimes change texture after freezing and thawing, becoming a bit mealy or grainy. If you plan to freeze, consider adding the potatoes and cheese after thawing and reheating the base.
Variations:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the soup base.
- Veggie-Packed: Stir in frozen corn, diced bell peppers, or even mushrooms with the other vegetables.
- Low-Carb Options: Omit the potatoes and substitute with cauliflower florets for a delicious, lower-carb version of this creamy burger soup. Cook cauliflower until tender.
Nutrition Information
This homemade cheeseburger soup provides a hearty and satisfying meal. Each serving offers a good balance of calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Keep in mind that these values are estimated and can vary based on specific brands and exact quantities of ingredients used. It’s an approximation of the nutritional content.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450-550 kcal |
| Total Fat | 30-40 g |
| Saturated Fat | 15-20 g |
| Cholesterol | 90-110 mg |
| Sodium | 800-1000 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 25-35 g |
| Fiber | 2-4 g |
| Sugars | 5-8 g |
| Protein | 25-35 g |
FAQ
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes, absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken are great lean alternatives. Just ensure you season them well to match the savory flavor profile of this cheeseburger soup.
How to make cheeseburger soup thicker?
If your soup isn’t thick enough, you can create a small slurry of cornstarch and water, then stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired consistency. Be sure to add it gradually.
Can this soup be made in a slow cooker?
You can adapt it! Brown the beef and sauté veggies first, then combine all ingredients (except cheese, milk, and sour cream) in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. Stir in the dairy at the end.
Is it gluten-free (with substitutions)?
To make this creamy burger soup gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend when making the roux. Ensure your broth is also certified gluten-free.
What are the best toppings for cheeseburger soup?
Crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and even a few dill pickle slices are fantastic. Some people also enjoy a swirl of ketchup or mustard on top for extra burger authenticity.
Conclusion
There you have it – your new go-to recipe for the most incredibly comforting and flavorful cheeseburger soup! This hearty dish brings all the beloved tastes of a classic cheeseburger into a warm, creamy bowl that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and destined to become a family favorite. We encourage you to try this recipe tonight and experience the deliciousness for yourself! Don’t forget to share your creations and comments below.