Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of pure comfort! Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe takes everything you love about a classic cheeseburger and transforms it into one creamy, satisfying pot of goodness. Imagine tender potatoes, juicy ground beef, and sweet carrots all simmered together in a cheesy, velvety broth — every spoonful is like a big, warm hug. This is the recipe you’ll want on hand for chilly days, family dinners, or any time you’re craving something that feels nostalgic and totally delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this soup is how each ingredient plays a flavorful role, making the whole thing taste like your favorite cheeseburger in a bowl! These basics are easy to find but essential for that dreamy, hearty combination of rich cheese, savory beef, and perfectly cooked veggies.
- Ground beef: The star of the show — choose 80/20 for the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Chopped onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and aroma that melds into the soup’s base.
- Chopped celery: Lends a gentle crunch and herby undertone for depth.
- Shredded carrots: Bring a little burst of color and a hint of natural sweetness.
- Minced garlic: Rounds out the flavors and gives the soup its cozy, savory kick.
- Peeled and diced potatoes: Full of comfort, they make the soup filling and help create that creamy texture.
- Chicken broth: Serves as the flavorful foundation and keeps everything light but hearty.
- Dried basil and parsley: These herbs add the perfect hint of freshness and classic flavor.
- Salt and black pepper: Enhances every single bite, so don’t forget these essentials!
- Unsalted butter: For richness, and the start of a beautiful roux.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the broth, creating a luscious, velvety soup.
- Whole milk: Keeps the soup luxuriously creamy without feeling too heavy.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Choose sharp cheddar for a big, bold cheesy flavor that melts like a dream.
- Sour cream: Adds a final creamy tang just before serving.
- Optional toppings: Crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, or extra cheese bring that true “burger” magic right to your bowl!
How to Make Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until it’s beautifully browned and crumbly, breaking it up with your spoon as you go. Once it’s cooked through, drain off any excess fat so your soup stays rich but never greasy. Transfer the beef to a plate and set it aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
In the same pot — don’t clean it, there’s tons of flavor in there — toss in your chopped onion, celery, shredded carrots, and minced garlic. Stir everything now and then for about 5 to 6 minutes, just until the veggies soften and start to build a mouthwatering base for your soup.
Step 3: Add Potatoes and Broth
Add your diced potatoes, chicken broth, dried basil, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper directly into the pot. Give it a good stir and turn up the heat until things come to a gentle boil. Cover and reduce the heat, letting the soup simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes — just until the potatoes are perfectly tender.
Step 4: Make a Cheesy Roux
While the soup is bubbling away, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in your flour and let it cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to make a smooth roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk until it’s lump-free, and keep stirring as it thickens for about 3 to 5 minutes. You’re looking for a thick but pourable white sauce.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Carefully stir the roux mixture into your simmering soup pot. The broth will magically thicken and turn irresistibly creamy. Return your cooked ground beef to the pot, then add the shredded cheddar cheese bit by bit, stirring until it’s completely melted and the soup is smooth and cheesy.
Step 6: Finish with Sour Cream
Just before serving, swirl in the sour cream for an extra layer of creaminess and that signature cheeseburger tang. Now the soup is officially ready — so grab your ladle and get set for some serious comfort food bliss!
How to Serve Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Garnishes
For the full cheeseburger experience, pile on your favorite toppings! Try crumbled bacon for some salty crunch, a sprinkle of extra sharp cheddar, and a handful of chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness. These little extras turn each bowl into something truly special.
Side Dishes
Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe is best paired with something simple and classic. Think thick slices of crusty bread, buttery garlic toast, or even a batch of warm dinner rolls. If you want to add a little green to the meal, a crisp side salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances out all the cheesy richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in hollowed-out bread bowls — it feels gourmet but is so easy! You can also portion it into small mugs for a party appetizer, or set out a toppings bar so everyone can customize their own bowl with crumbled chips, diced pickles, or a drizzle of hot sauce. Get creative and make it your own!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe stores beautifully. Let the soup cool completely before scooping it into airtight containers. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, making quick, cozy lunches or no-fuss weeknight dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup for longer storage, just hold off on adding the sour cream — stir it in after you reheat. Ladle cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of headspace. It’ll hang out happily in your freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. If frozen, thaw overnight first, then reheat. Add a splash of milk if it seems a little too thick after chilling. Finish with the reserved sour cream to bring back all that creamy magic!
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly for a leaner version of Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe. Just keep an eye on seasoning, and maybe boost the flavor with a pinch more salt or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for that deep “burger” taste.
Is this soup gluten-free?
It can be! Simply sub in your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular flour, and double-check your chicken broth label. Everything else in this recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s easy to adapt for dietary needs.
What kind of cheese is best?
Sharp or extra sharp cheddar is fantastic here because it melts beautifully and gives the soup that unmistakable cheeseburger flavor. You can mix in a bit of Monterey Jack or pepper jack for variety, but cheddar really is the classic winner.
Can I make Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe thinner or thicker?
Definitely! If you like your soup a little thinner, add extra chicken broth or a splash of milk until it reaches your perfect consistency. If it’s too thin, just let it simmer a bit longer or stir in a bit more roux the next time.
What toppings do you recommend for a cheeseburger soup bar?
A toppings bar makes dinner interactive and extra fun! Lay out bowls of diced pickles, crispy fried onions, crumbled bacon, extra cheese, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or even a squeeze of ketchup and yellow mustard. Let everyone build their dream bowl!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving that warm, melty, all-American comfort — this is the dish that truly satisfies. Try making Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe just once, and you’ll see why it becomes an instant family favorite. Grab a spoon, gather your loved ones, and get ready for the coziest soup night yet!
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Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food recipe that combines all the flavors of a cheeseburger in a warm, hearty soup. Perfect for a cozy night in or to feed a crowd, this soup is creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory goodness.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- ¾ cup chopped celery
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Cheese Sauce:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
Optional Toppings:
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped green onions
- Extra shredded cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onion, celery, carrots, and garlic until softened.
- Add Ingredients: Add potatoes, broth, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, make a roux with butter and flour. Slowly whisk in milk until thickened. Add cheddar cheese.
- Combine and Serve: Stir cheese sauce into the soup. Add cooked beef. Finish with sour cream. Serve with toppings.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Adjust broth or milk for preferred consistency.
- This soup reheats well and is freezer-friendly without sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
