Cheeseburger Soup

When there’s a chill in the air, a bowl of rich and hearty homemade Cheeseburger Soup is sure to fill your hungry spot. Top it with Texas toast croutons, cheddar cheese and chives, and it becomes a feast in a bowl any day of the week.

Ingredients to Make Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

This homemade Cheeseburger Soup recipe mimics the flavors we all love in a good ole American burger sans the bun. Keep in mind, this is a soup, so we did have to toss in a few vegetables in hopes the kiddos wouldn’t notice. Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list, as most of the ingredients are pantry staples and something you likely have on hand. I love topping it with Texas sized croutons and dill pickles for fun. This comforting soup is a tummy filling recipe the whole family will love. Ingredients to make homemade Cheeseburger Soup Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Ground Beef: One pound lean ground beef or ground sirloin.
• Veggies: One sweet onion or red onion and sliced carrots.
• Fresh Garlic: Three cloves of garlic.
• Potatoes: Four cups cubed russet potatoes.
• Beef Broth: Beef broth or beef stock.
• Steak Seasoning: One tablespoon steak seasoning i.e. Montreal or Chicago Steak Seasoning.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the flavor of the beef.
• Herb: Dry thyme.
• Cheese Sauce: Salted or unsalted butter.
• Flour: All purpose flour for the roux.
• Seasonings: Dry mustard, salt and black pepper.
• Liquid: Two cups whole milk for the cheese sauce.
• Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese for the sauce plus additional for garnishing.
• Pickles: Dill pickles for the soup and for garnishing.
• Garnishes: Chives and croutons for serving.

How to Make Homemade Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

There are many recipes for cheeseburger soup and often they utilize a processed cheese like Velveeta cheese for the sauce. I’m not knocking that technique, it’s handy in a pinch, but I prefer to make my own cheese sauce for the best flavor of a cheeseburger.

• Cook Hamburger and Onion – In a 6-quart pot or dutch oven brown together lean ground beef with the onion and carrots over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain grease from pan. Add garlic.
• Potatoes – To the pot add potatoes, broth, steak seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring to a boil then lower the heat and cover. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender.
• Make Cheese Sauce – Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add flour mixing until butter to make a roux.
• Seasonings – Add mustard, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in milk whisking until smooth. Increase heat, stirring constantly just until milk begins to thicken, then immediately lower the heat. Allow to bubble gently for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add cheese, mixing until melted. Keep warm.
• Combine – Check potatoes for doneness they should be fork tender. Mix in cheese sauce, dill pickles and chives. Stir to combine.
• Serve – Serve topped with additional shredded cheddar cheese, chives and croutons.

Tips for Making Cheeseburger Soup

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: 6 Quart Dutch oven or similar large pot, sharp knife and chopping board, cheese grater, small saucepan, whisk, large spoon and ladle.
• Adjust the Salt to Your Taste: You may like to taste and adapt the salt in this recipe depending on the brand of steak seasoning that you use. Sodium varies wildly from brand to brand so taste as you go.
• Don’t Burn the Flour: When adding the flour to the melted butter in the saucepan, keep the burner on medium heat. If it’s too high it may scorch. Keep the heat on medium while you gradually whisk in the milk. This will also help prevent the sauce from clumping. Scrape down the sides for any flour that may be clinging around the edges of the pot.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Once prepared, pour the creamy soup into a crock pot or your favorite slow cooker to keep warm until serving.
• Add Green for a Pop of Color: This is a cheeseburger soup so there’s no need to get too fancy with seasonings. That being said, a splash of green at the end of cooking always adds visual appeal. I recommend fresh chives, but you could substitute with flat leaf parsley or even basil, if you prefer.
• What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup: A green salad and garlic bread is all you need to complete the meal.

Recipe Variations

• Protein: You can use ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork in place of ground beef.
• Add Bacon: You could add 6 slices of crispy cooked bacon for a bacon cheeseburger soup.
• Celery: You can add 1 stalk of diced celery to the onion and carrots.
• Potatoes: You could use yukon gold potatoes in place of russet potatoes.
• Cheese Substitutions: You can use sharp cheddar cheese, medium cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese or white cheddar cheese for the sauce.
• Veggies: You could add more veggies such as mushrooms or bell peppers.
• Spice: You could add a few dashes of hot sauce or red pepper flakes for spice.
• Sour Cream: You could serve this soup with a dollop of sour cream on top.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store homemade Cheeseburger Soup in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in single servings in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Freezer: Can I freeze Cheeseburger Soup? You can freeze this soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Delicious Soup Recipes to Make

• Fully Loaded Smashed Potato Soup will hit the proverbial spot.
• My recipe for Lentil Soup is a filling meal that won’t break the bank.
• Cheddar Cauliflower Soup with Bacon is rich and delicious.
• Homestyle Hamburger Soup is another all time favorite.
• Good for the soul Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.
• Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup is ready in no time flat.
• You may also enjoy this Cheeseburger Meatloaf from Taste of Home.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Dutch Oven
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board
• Soup Bowls