I remember those hectic weeknights, racing home from soccer practice, everyone starving and cranky. Finding something quick, easy, and that the whole family would actually *eat* felt like an impossible mission. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of a soup that tasted like a cheeseburger – crazy, right? Today, I’m sharing all my secrets for the most amazing Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup – Easy Family Dinner you’ll ever make!
Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Meal
Okay, friends, let’s talk about the holy grail of easy dinners: Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal that practically cooks itself. Seriously, dump everything in the slow cooker, press a button, and walk away. What could be better? And the best part? Even the pickiest eaters will gobble this up. I know mine do!
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime you crave a comforting and delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s packed with all the flavors of a juicy cheeseburger – ground beef, cheddar cheese, bacon (because everything’s better with bacon!), and a creamy, dreamy broth that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
Why You’ll Absolutely LOVE This Recipe
- It’s incredibly easy: Minimal prep work and a slow cooker mean you can set it and forget it.
- It’s family-friendly: Even the pickiest eaters will love the familiar flavors of a cheeseburger.
- It’s customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by adding different toppings or vegetables.
- It’s perfect for meal prepping: Make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week long.
- It’s budget-friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
- Ground Beef: 1 pound, browned and drained. I prefer using lean ground beef to minimize grease.
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped. Yellow or white onions work great.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Because everything tastes better with garlic!
- Beef Broth: 4 cups. Adds depth and richness to the soup.
- Diced Potatoes: 2 cups, peeled and cubed. I like using Yukon Gold potatoes for their creamy texture.
- Diced Carrots: 1 cup. Adds sweetness and color to the soup.
- Celery: 1 cup, chopped. Provides a subtle savory flavor.
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons. Enhances the tomato flavor and adds richness.
- Diced Tomatoes: 1 (14.5 ounce) can, undrained.
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened. This is the secret ingredient that makes the soup incredibly creamy!
- Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups, shredded. Sharp cheddar is my go-to, but you can use your favorite.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon. Adds a savory umami flavor.
- Yellow Mustard: 1 tablespoon. Just like on a cheeseburger!
- Ketchup: 2 tablespoons. Adds a touch of sweetness and tang.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
- Optional Toppings: Cooked bacon, green onions, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, or anything else you love on your cheeseburger!
Step-by-Step Instructions: Your Guide to Cheeseburger Soup Success
Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps for a guaranteed delicious Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Be sure to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent. The kitchen should be smelling amazing right about now!
- Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot: Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic mixture to your slow cooker. Add the beef broth, diced potatoes, diced carrots, celery, tomato paste, diced tomatoes (undrained), Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, ketchup, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The potatoes and carrots should be tender.
- Add Cream Cheese: During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir in the softened cream cheese until it is completely melted and the soup is creamy and smooth.
- Stir in Cheddar Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted and the soup is deliciously cheesy.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite cheeseburger toppings, such as cooked bacon, green onions, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles.
- Enjoy! Seriously, dig in and savor every bite.
Success Tips for the Perfect Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup
Want to take your cheeseburger soup to the next level? Here are my top tips for guaranteed success:
- Brown the Beef Properly: Don’t skip the step of browning the ground beef! This adds a depth of flavor that you just can’t get otherwise. Make sure to break it up well for even cooking.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before adding it to the soup. This will help it melt more easily and prevent any lumps.
- Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the potatoes and carrots. You want them to be tender, but not mushy. Overcooking can result in a less appealing texture.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Get Creative with Toppings: The toppings are where you can really personalize this soup! Think about all your favorite cheeseburger toppings and go wild.
Variations and Adaptations: Make It Your Own!
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas for variations and adaptations:
- Add Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that takes this soup to the next level. Add it to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking time, or use it as a topping.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the soup for a little heat. You could even try using pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. For a real kick, check out my ULTIMATE SPICY COWBOY QUESO and add a dollop on top!
- Make It Vegetarian: Use plant-based ground beef substitute and vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version of this soup.
- Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the soup, such as corn, green beans, or bell peppers.
- Use Different Cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even a little bit of blue cheese for a bolder flavor. If you’re looking for a cheese-heavy dish, consider my Cheesy Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole!
- Low Carb Option: Substitute cauliflower florets for the potatoes to make this soup low carb.
Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Cheeseburger Feast
This soup is delicious on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to complete your meal:
- Serve with Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.
- Add a Side Salad: A simple green salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich soup.
- Make It a Full Cheeseburger Experience: Serve the soup alongside CRACK BURGERS for the ultimate cheeseburger feast!
- Try it with Biscuits: For a heartier meal, serve the soup with warm, buttery biscuits. It’s similar to my Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole, but in soup form!
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Want to get ahead of the game? Here’s how to make this soup ahead of time and how to freeze it for later:
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the soup up to 24 hours in advance. Simply follow the recipe instructions up to the point of adding the cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Store the soup in the refrigerator, and then add the cheeses when you’re ready to reheat it.
- Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully! Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add the cream cheese and cheddar cheese after reheating.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family and I do. It’s a comforting, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal that’s perfect for any occasion. And remember, don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own! If you love casseroles too, you might also enjoy my Chicken Burrito Casserole – another family favorite!
Can I prepare this cheeseburger soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the soup up to 24 hours in advance. Follow the recipe instructions up to the point of adding the cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Store the soup in the refrigerator, and then add the cheeses when you’re ready to reheat it.
What are some variations I can make to the Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup?
You can add cooked bacon, spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce, make it vegetarian with plant-based ground beef substitute and vegetable broth, add more vegetables like corn or green beans, use different cheeses, or even make it low carb by substituting cauliflower florets for the potatoes.
What kind of ground beef is best for this soup?
The recipe recommends using lean ground beef to minimize grease. Brown the beef in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker to enhance the flavor.
Can I freeze this Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup?
Yes, this soup freezes well. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave and add the cream cheese and cheddar cheese after reheating.
Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup Heaven
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Be sure to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic mixture to your slow cooker. Add the beef broth, diced potatoes, diced carrots, celery, tomato paste, diced tomatoes (undrained), Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, ketchup, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The potatoes and carrots should be tender.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir in the softened cream cheese until it is completely melted and the soup is creamy and smooth.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted and the soup is deliciously cheesy.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite cheeseburger toppings.
- Enjoy!
