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Close-up of creamy Cheeseburger Soup in a bowl, perfect for a comforting meal.
Lady Maria

Best Cheeseburger Soup Ever

This Cheeseburger Soup recipe brings the flavors of a classic cheeseburger into a comforting and creamy soup. Loaded with ground beef, cheddar cheese, and your favorite toppings, it's a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for a chilly night.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Optional: Cooked and crumbled bacon
  • Optional: Chopped green onions
  • Optional: Shredded lettuce
  • Optional: Diced tomatoes
  • Optional: Pickles, chopped
  • Optional: Sour cream or Greek yogurt

Equipment

  • large pot or Dutch oven
  • Saucepan
  • whisk
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board
  • knife
  • Ladle
  • Bowls

Method
 

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and add the diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  6. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth, creating a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  7. Gradually whisk in the milk until the roux is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
  8. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  9. Reduce the heat to low under the pot with the beef and broth.
  10. Stir in the softened cream cheese until it is completely melted and the soup is smooth.
  11. Gradually add the cheddar cheese, stirring until it is melted and the soup is creamy and cheesy.
  12. Pour the milk mixture into the pot with the beef and cheese mixture. Stir well to combine.
  13. Ladle the Cheeseburger Soup into bowls and top with your favorite cheeseburger toppings, such as cooked bacon, chopped green onions, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, and sour cream.
  14. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

If your soup is too thick, add more beef broth or milk. If it's not thick enough, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, stir into the soup, and simmer until thickened. For smoother melting cheese, ensure cream cheese is softened, add cheese gradually, and use freshly grated cheese. You can prepare the soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While you can freeze Cheeseburger Soup, the texture might change slightly due to the dairy content. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Add crumbled bacon for a smoky and savory flavor. Use plant-based ground beef substitute and vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version.