Imagine your favorite cheeseburger—juicy, cheesy, dripping with flavor—but in a spoonable, soul-warming soup form. Sounds like a cheat code, right? This isn’t some sad, diluted attempt.

It’s a full-blown, flavor-packed meal that’ll make you forget the original.

Perfect for chilly nights, lazy dinners, or when you just need to carb-load like an Olympian.

Who needs a bun when you can have a bowl?

Why This Recipe Slaps

This soup nails the cheeseburger experience without the mess.

It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with ground beef, potatoes, and all the classic toppings—bacon, pickles, even a drizzle of ketchup if you’re feeling extra. The best part? It’s a one-pot wonder.

Less cleanup, more eating. IMO, that’s a win-win.

Easy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup – A Family Favorite Dinner

Recipe by Wendy CarterCourse: Uncategorized

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

450

kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20 for maximum flavor)
4 cups chicken broth (or beef broth if you’re a purist)
3 cups potatoes, diced (because fries belong in soup too)
1 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced pickles (trust me)
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (no pre-shredded nonsense)
1 cup heavy cream (go big or go home)
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown the beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain the grease unless you’re into that.
Sauté the onions: Toss in the onions and cook until they’re soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
Add the liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Cheese it up: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, ketchup, mustard, and garlic powder. Keep stirring until the cheese melts into gooey perfection.
Top it off: Ladle into bowls and garnish with bacon crumbles, pickles, and extra cheese if you’re feeling fancy.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat on the stove over low heat—microwaving risks separating the cheese, and nobody wants grainy soup. FYI, it won’t freeze well thanks to the dairy, so eat up.

Why You Should Make This Soup

It’s comfort food without the guilt (okay, maybe a little guilt). Packed with protein, customizable, and ready in under an hour, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner hack.

Plus, it’s kid-approved. Picky eaters? They’ll never know it’s technically “soup.”

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 450
Fat: 32g
Carbs: 18g
Protein: 24g
Sodium: 900mg (blame the bacon)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using pre-shredded cheese: It contains anti-caking agents that can make your soup grainy.
Grating your own is non-negotiable.
Overcooking the potatoes: Mushy potatoes = sad soup. Test them with a fork—they should be tender but not falling apart.
Skipping the pickles: They add the tangy crunch you’d miss from a burger. Don’t be basic.

Alternatives

Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles if you’re feeling health-conscious.

Use veggie broth and skip the bacon for a vegetarian version. For a keto twist, replace potatoes with cauliflower. Want it spicier?

Add jalapeños or hot sauce. The world is your cheeseburger.

FAQs

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

You can, but the soup won’t be as rich or creamy. If you must, use whole milk and add a tablespoon of flour to thicken it.

What’s the best cheese for this soup?

Cheddar is classic, but American cheese melts smoother (yes, the processed kind—this is a cheeseburger soup, not a gourmet experiment).

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely.

Brown the beef first, then dump everything except the cheese and cream into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours, then stir in the dairy at the end.

Why add ketchup and mustard?

Because it’s a cheeseburger in a bowl. Skip them if you must, but you’ll regret it.

Final Thoughts

This soup is the ultimate comfort food loophole.

It’s easy, indulgent, and tastes like nostalgia in a bowl. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself (no judgment), it’s a guaranteed hit.

Now go forth and soupify your cravings.

Easy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup – A Family Favorite Dinner

Why This Recipe Slaps