On chilly evenings or busy weeknights, nothing soothes like a warm bowl of soup. I remember when I first discovered this creamy cheeseburger soup, it quickly became my go-to comfort food mashup—hearty, cheesy, and unbelievably easy to make. Whether you’re new to cooking or just want a foolproof, cozy meal, this recipe has your back with stovetop, Crockpot, and Instant Pot options.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
- Ultra-creamy texture thanks to real cheese (with a secret tip for that perfect melt!)
- Versatile cooking methods: stovetop, Crockpot, and Instant Pot for your convenience
- Loaded with hearty flavor from ground beef and fresh veggies
- Quick to prepare, ideal for weeknights or game-day gatherings
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for this rich and tasty 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
Essential Equipment
- Dutch oven or large pot
- Box grater for shredding cheese (if using cheddar)
How to Make Cheeseburger Soup (Step-by-Step)
- Brown the ground beef. In a 3-quart saucepan, cook the beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
- Sauté the vegetables. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same pan, then stir in onion, shredded carrots, celery, parsley flakes, and basil. Cook until onions are translucent and the veggies feel tender and fragrant.
- Simmer the soup base. Pour in chicken broth, diced potatoes, and the browned beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10-12 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Make the roux. In a small skillet, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 3-5 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden with a nutty aroma.
- Thicken the soup. Add roux to the soup pot, bring to a boil, and cook while stirring for 2 minutes. Lower heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Add the cheese and finish. Stir in cubed Velveeta or shredded cheddar, milk, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until cheese melts smoothly. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream for extra richness.
The Secret to an Ultra-Creamy Soup (No Velveeta Needed!)
Velveeta melts so smoothly thanks to sodium citrate, an ingredient that helps cheese stay creamy and avoid clumping. If you prefer to use real cheddar cheese, here’s the secret: toss freshly grated cheddar with a small amount of cornstarch before adding it to your soup. This keeps the cheese proteins from clumping, preventing that grainy texture and giving you a velvety, luscious finish every time.
Expert Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Soup
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make your soup grainy. Freshly grated cheese melts better and creamier.
- Temper the Sour Cream: Stir a little hot soup into the sour cream before adding it to the pot off the heat to avoid curdling.
- Don’t Boil After Adding Dairy: Boiling after adding milk, cheese, or sour cream can cause separation or curdling, so keep the heat low once dairy is in.
Variations and Customizations
| Variation | How to Adapt |
|---|---|
| Bacon Cheeseburger Soup | Add cooked, crumbled bacon to the soup with the beef for smoky flavor. |
| Spicy Cheeseburger Soup | Toss diced jalapeños in with the onions to give the soup a spicy kick. |
| Keto Cheeseburger Soup | Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets and use xanthan gum instead of flour. |
Topping and Serving Suggestions
Create a fun Cheeseburger Soup Toppings Bar with classic options like shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions. For something different, offer dill pickle relish or crispy fried onions to add texture and tang.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup
Pair your soup with hearty bread, homemade bun croutons, or a crisp wedge salad. These sides complement the creamy richness perfectly and turn this easy soup into a satisfying meal.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Storing
Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezing
Freeze the soup base without adding milk, cheese, or sour cream. Let it cool, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Thaw the base overnight, bring it to a simmer, then stir in fresh milk, cheese, and sour cream off the heat to keep the texture creamy and smooth.
Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup
Slow Cooker Instructions
Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then add it to the slow cooker with sautéed vegetables, broth, and potatoes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender. Stir in the roux, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper at the end; cook until cheese melts. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.
Instant Pot Instructions
Use the sauté function to brown the ground beef, then cook the vegetables in the same pot. Add broth and potatoes, seal the lid, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick-release pressure, stir in the roux, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper until melted, then off heat stir in sour cream.
More Soup Recipes You’ll Love
The Ultimate Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup
Ultimate Creamy Chicken Potato Soup
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, ground turkey works well for a leaner version. Brown it thoroughly and follow the recipe as written.
How do I make my cheeseburger soup thicker or thinner?
For a thicker soup, add a bit more flour to your roux or let it simmer uncovered for extra time. To thin it out, add more chicken broth or milk, little by little, until you reach your desired consistency.
My soup is grainy, what went wrong?
Graininess usually happens if cheese is added too quickly or if pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents is used. The tip is to grate your own cheese and add it slowly, stirring constantly to melt smoothly.
Your Turn to Cook!
I’m so excited for you to try this creamy cheeseburger soup—it’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a busy day. Don’t hesitate to customize it with your favorite toppings or tweaks. When you give it a go, please leave a comment and star rating below—I love hearing how your soup turns out! And if you share your creation on social. and don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest @aisharecipes
Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the ground beef in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat; drain fat and set beef aside.
- In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter, then cook onion, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley until tender.
- Add broth, potatoes, and the cooked beef; bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 10–12 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- In a small skillet, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter and whisk in flour; cook 3–5 minutes until bubbly, then stir into the soup, bring to a boil, and cook 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in cheese, milk, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring, until cheese melts. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.
