This creamy, bacon-loaded Cheeseburger Soup brings all the juicy, cheesy burger vibes straight to your bowl—no drive-thru, no shoes, no judgment. It’s cozy, hearty, and tastes like your favorite diner classic got a comfort-food glow-up!
And, don't forget the bacon! Let's get started!
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This Cheeseburger Soup is everything you love about a juicy diner burger wrapped up in a creamy, cozy bowl. We’re talking melty cheese, crisp bacon, tender potatoes, and that unmistakable burger flavor that somehow tastes even better by the spoonful. It’s the kind of comfort that makes sweatpants feel like a requirement, not a suggestion.
A few reasons this soup hits that perfect cheeseburger-meets-comfort-food sweet spot.
- Classic burger flavors — Ground beef, onion, cheese, and bacon deliver that “bite of a cheeseburger” moment in every spoonful.
- Creamy, velvety base — A simple technique gives you a thick, luxurious broth without it feeling heavy.
- Hearty but cozy — Potatoes add just enough heft to make it satisfying, but not so much that it turns into stew.
- One-pot simplicity — Everything cooks together for maximum flavor with minimum fuss.
- Family-friendly flavor — Kids love it, grown-ups love it, and leftovers reheat like a dream.
What You'll Need and Why
- Ground Beef - Cheeseburgers need ground beef, so does this soup. I recommend a lean blend to keep the end result from becoming too oily.
- Carrots, Onion, Celery, Potatoes - The hearty veggie portion of the festivities that not only add flavor, but make this soup wonderfully filling.
- Chicken Broth, Milk, Cornstarch - The soup base for this recipe. Use a good quality chicken broth. The milk and cornstarch give the dish a creaminess while thickening it up just a bit.
- Bacon - Need I say more. Bacon makes everything better. Make it crispy for fantastic texture.
- Potato Chips and Diced Dill Pickles - The surprise topping that is so good! Sounds a little crazy, but believe me, it's perfect! You have to try it!
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Swaps and Flavor-Boosting Variations
A few easy ways to customize this Cheeseburger Soup and make it your own.
- Swap the protein – Ground chicken, turkey, pork, or Italian sausage all work beautifully. Or stir in rotisserie chicken at the end for the easiest “chicken-burger-soup” ever.
- Add extra veggies – Make it a full fridge clean-out situation with mushrooms, tomatoes, green chilis, or sweet peppers. They all play well with the cheesy, cozy base.
- Use pasta instead of potatoes – My kids lose their minds over this version. Think hamburger helper… but soup.
- Make it lower-carb – Sub cauliflower florets for the potatoes. They simmer into a tender, hearty base that still feels indulgent.
- Try different cheeses – Cheddar is classic, but pepper jack adds heat, Colby is extra melty, and Velveeta gives it that diner-style creaminess. Use whatever makes you happy.
- Turn up the heat – Add Rotel, red pepper flakes, Calabrian chilis, or a swirl of hot sauce to give the soup a spicy kick.
Slow Cooker Instructions For Busy Days
Want to make this a set-it-and-forget-it cheeseburger soup situation? Here’s the quick slow cooker method.
Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then add it to the slow cooker with all remaining ingredients except the milk, cornstarch, and shredded cheese. Cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. Stir in the milk, cornstarch slurry, and cheese right before serving, then load up with your favorite toppings.
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Tips and Tricks
A few simple moves that make this Cheeseburger Soup truly unforgettable.
- Shred your own cheese — Bagged cheese is coated in anti-caking agents that turn melty soups into gloopy soups. Freshly shredded melts smooth and silky every time.
- Use kettle-cooked potato chips — They’re thicker, crispier, and hold up way better as a topping than thin chips. Peak crunch.
- Try dill relish — No pickles? No problem. A spoonful of dill relish gives the soup that perfect tangy bite.
- Watch the salt in seasoning blends — My all-purpose seasoning isn’t overly salty, but many store blends are. Taste as you go and adjust so things don’t get too salty.
- Brown the beef well — Let it develop some color for maximum burger flavor in the finished soup.
- Warm the milk before adding — It helps prevent curdling and keeps the soup ultra smooth.
- Add the cheese off the heat — Stirring it in once the soup is hot (but not boiling) gives you the creamiest, dreamiest texture.
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Creamy Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning see note below
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 med onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1½-2 lbs potatoes, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- ½ cup cooked bacon crumbles
- crushed potato chips and diced dill pickles, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a dutch oven on medium-high heat.
- Add the carrots, celery, and onion, cooking until they begin to soften. Stir in the all-purpose seasoning and dry mustard.
- Add the tomato paste and garlic cooking until the paste becomes a bit darker. This will give the soup base a richer flavor.
- Add the chicken broth and potatoes.
- Bring the soup to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with a lid and cook until the potatoes become tender.
- To thicken the soup, mix the milk and cornstarch together in a separate bowl. Add that mixture to the soup. Reduce the heat to low.
- Slowly, whisk in the cheese that you have so lovingly shredded yourself. Stir constantly so that it melts evenly.
- Top with bacon, crushed potato chips, diced dill pickles, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Ideas
All the best ways to serve this Cheeseburger Soup and take it straight into comfort-food legend status.
- Pile on the toppings — Crushed kettle-cooked chips and diced dill pickles are non-negotiable. The crunch + tang turns every bowl into a full cheeseburger experience.
- Add extra burger vibes — Chopped bacon, scallions, shredded cheddar, or a drizzle of ketchup/mustard (yes, really) make the soup taste like a diner classic.
- Serve with crusty bread — My Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread is the perfect dunker for this creamy, cozy soup.
- Make it a soup-and-salad moment — A simple green salad with pickles, tomatoes, and a tangy dressing pairs beautifully.
- Keep it cozy on the side — Garlic bread, buttery rolls, or pretzel buns are all chef’s kiss with cheeseburger flavors.
- Turn leftovers into a bowl bar — Set out toppings and let everyone customize their second-day bowls however they want. It’s surprisingly fun.
Even More Fun Topping Ideas
Elevate your Cheeseburger Soup with toppings that add crunch, tang, richness, or heat.
- Over-the-top move – Top your bowl with a fried egg and let the yolk mix into the soup. It sounds wild, but it is truly incredible.
- Burger-style toppings – Sautéed onions or mushrooms, pickled jalapeños, pickled red onions.
- Creamy add-ons – Sliced avocado, sour cream, green onions.
- Cheese upgrades – Blue cheese crumbles, extra sharp cheddar, or pepper jack.
Storage & Reheating
Keep everything fresh so tomorrow’s bowl tastes just as comforting as the first.
- Store the soup in airtight containers — Refrigerate for 3–4 days. The flavors get even better overnight.
- Reheat gently — Warm on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring often. High heat can cause the dairy to separate.
- Thin if needed — The soup thickens as it chills; add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to reach your perfect consistency.
- Add toppings fresh — Chips, pickles, green onions, bacon, and cheese should be added right before serving so they stay crisp and bright.
You Asked, I Answered
Is this soup gluten-free?
Yes! Cornstarch thickens the soup, so it’s naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your broth and seasoning blends.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
You can. Use a dairy-free milk that won’t split (like unsweetened almond or oat) and swap the cheese + cream for your favorite DF alternatives. The texture will still be cozy and creamy.
What kind of cheese melts best?
Freshly shredded cheddar melts the smoothest. Avoid bagged cheese—it’s coated in anti-caking agents that make the soup grainy.
What’s the best meat to use?
Lean ground beef (85–90%) gives the best flavor-to-fat balance. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or Italian sausage for easy variations.
Can I make this soup lighter?
Yep! Swap the potatoes for cauliflower, use half the cheese, and stir in extra broth to loosen the texture.
Can I use pasta instead of potatoes?
Absolutely. It turns into a cozy, hamburger-helper-soup situation. Kids go wild for this version.
Why did my cheeseburger soup separate or get grainy?
It probably got too hot after adding the dairy, or you used pre-shredded cheese. Keep the heat low and melt the cheese slowly.
You’ll Also Love
More cozy comfort classics to keep soup season going strong.
- White Lasagna Soup – Creamy, cozy, and already ranking strong.
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup – A rich, hearty bowl of pure comfort.
- Creamy White Chicken Chili – Your newly revamped favorite (and a great traffic feeder).
- Hamburger Steak with Mushroom Gravy – Similar flavor profile, same big comfort energy.
- One-Pot Chicken and Rice – Easy, creamy, crowd-pleasing.
- Quick and Easy Pastina (aka Italian Penicillin) – Your site powerhouse; linking out from it also helps this post.
- Heart Vegetable Beef Soup – Classic, cozy, and a high-authority internal link.
Who's Stirring the Pot?
Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.
You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).
If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.
Happy Cooking!
-Ruth aka Rufus
Margaret says
Well this was fabulous. Silky smooth broth with all the cheeseburger goodness. We recommend!
Rufus says
Thank you so much! I am so very glad you liked it and thank you so very much for letting me know! Have a wonderful day!
Zia says
this is a great soup and the name reflects the recipe! this one is hard to beat and is a good go-to for any occasion!
Rufus says
Thank you so very much!