This cheeseburger soup recipe is creamy, cheesy, and packed with ground beef, potatoes, and tender vegetables for an easy one-pot comfort dinner. It has all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a rich, cozy bowl of soup.
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If you love the flavors of a classic cheeseburger, this cheeseburger soup recipe turns all of that cheesy, beefy comfort into an easy one-pot dinner. Ground beef, potatoes, cheddar cheese, and tender vegetables simmer together into a rich, creamy soup that’s filling enough to be dinner all on its own.
It’s cozy, family-friendly, and exactly the kind of comfort food recipe everyone asks for again once the weather cools down.
Why This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe Works
- Creamy and cheesy: Sharp cheddar melts into the broth for a rich, cozy soup that tastes like a cheeseburger in bowl form.
- Hearty enough for dinner: Ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables make this a filling one-pot meal.
- Easy weeknight recipe: Simple ingredients and straightforward cooking make this soup manageable even on busy nights.
- Classic cheeseburger flavor: Everything you love about a cheeseburger gets packed into a warm, comforting soup.
- Great for leftovers: The flavors get even better as the soup sits, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.
What You'll Need & 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 & Variations
This cheeseburger soup recipe is easy to customize with different proteins, cheeses, and toppings depending on what you have on hand.
- Swap the protein: Ground turkey, chicken, pork, or sausage all work well in place of ground beef.
- Try different cheeses: Cheddar is classic, but Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or Velveeta create slightly different flavors and textures.
- Add bacon: Crispy bacon on top makes the soup taste even more like a loaded cheeseburger.
- Make it lower-carb: Swap the potatoes for cauliflower florets for a lighter version that still feels hearty and creamy.
- Adjust the spice level: Add Rotel, jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce for a spicier cheeseburger soup.
Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
This cheeseburger soup recipe easily converts into a slow cooker version for busy days.
- Brown the ground beef first, then add it to the slow cooker with the potatoes, vegetables, broth, and seasonings. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until the potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the milk, cornstarch slurry, and shredded cheese right before serving so the soup stays smooth and creamy. Finish with your favorite cheeseburger toppings like bacon, pickles, green onions, or extra cheddar cheese.
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Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Soup
A few simple tips help this cheeseburger soup recipe stay creamy, cheesy, and full of rich burger flavor.
- Shred your own cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts much smoother than pre-shredded bagged cheese.
- Brown the beef well: Let the ground beef develop color for the best cheeseburger flavor in the finished soup.
- Warm the milk before adding: This helps keep the soup smooth and creamy instead of curdling.
- Add the cheese off the heat: Stirring in the cheese after removing the pot from direct heat creates the creamiest texture.
- Watch the salt level: Seasoning blends and broth can vary quite a bit, so taste before adding extra salt.
- Finish with crunchy toppings: Potato chips, bacon, pickles, or green onions add texture and make the soup taste even more like a loaded cheeseburger.
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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
This cheeseburger soup recipe is hearty enough to stand on its own, but a few simple sides and toppings turn it into the ultimate comfort-food dinner.
- Pile on the toppings: Crushed potato chips, diced pickles, crispy bacon, green onions, and extra cheddar make every bowl taste even more like a loaded cheeseburger.
- Serve with bread: Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread for soaking up the creamy broth. I even have a gluten-free no-knead bread if that's what you need!
- Add a fresh side: A simple green salad or crunchy vegetable side helps balance the richness of the soup.
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
What kind of cheese melts best in cheeseburger soup?
Freshly shredded cheddar melts the smoothest and gives the soup the best creamy texture. Avoid pre-shredded cheese if possible, since it can make the soup grainy.
Why did my cheeseburger soup turn grainy or separate?
The soup likely got too hot after adding the dairy or cheese. Keep the heat low and stir in the cheese gradually off the heat for the smoothest texture.
Can I make cheeseburger soup ahead of time?
Absolutely. The flavors get even better as the soup sits, making it great for leftovers and meal prep.
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?
Yes. Small pasta shapes create a cheeseburger soup that tastes similar to a creamy hamburger helper-style soup.
Other Hearty Soups You'll 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).
- 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!