Warm up your soul with a bowl of Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup—your new go-to comfort dish for chilly evenings! This soup combines all the best parts of a juicy cheeseburger—savory seasoned beef, melty cheddar, and tender veggies—into one inviting bowl of creamy goodness. As the flavors meld together, you’ll taste hints of garlic, onion, and celery dancing with the rich, cheesy broth. Every spoonful brings a cozy warmth that reminds you of homemade family dinners and lazy nights curled up by the fire. The creamy texture feels like a hug for your insides, and those little bites of potato add the perfect amount of heartiness to keep you full and satisfied.
I love how this recipe takes just 15 minutes of prep and about 30 minutes to simmer away on the stove, with a quick 5-minute rest before serving. It’s rated as a beginner-friendly recipe, so even if you’re new to cooking soups, you’ll breeze through each step. At only 450 calories per serving, it’s filling without being overly indulgent—perfect for a weeknight dinner or for meal prepping. The simplicity of browning ground beef, sautéing fresh chopped onions, carrots, and celery, then creating a silky smooth broth with flour, milk, and chicken stock, makes you feel like a kitchen pro. Plus, the shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream stirred in at the end transforms it into a luxuriously creamy delight that leaves you planning to double the batch next time.
KEY INGREDIENTS IN CREAMY HEARTY CHEESEBURGER SOUP
To make this Ultimate Comfort Food come alive, using fresh, flavorful ingredients is key. Each component plays a special role in creating that classic cheeseburger taste in soup form—bringing texture, depth, and richness to every spoonful.
- Ground Beef
Delivers the signature savory, meaty base of a cheeseburger. Browning the beef adds caramelized flavor and depth, making the soup truly hearty.
- Olive Oil
Used for sautéing the aromatics and preventing the meat from sticking. It adds a subtle fruitiness and ensures even cooking.
- Onion
Chopped onions provide a sweet, caramelized backdrop once sautéed, enhancing the soup’s overall complexity.
- Carrot
Finely diced carrots bring a natural sweetness and a vibrant pop of color, balancing the rich cheese and beef.
- Celery
Sliced celery adds a mild, crunchy element and a subtle vegetal note that rounds out the flavor profile.
- Garlic
Minced garlic infuses the soup with its unmistakable pungent warmth and depth, elevating the savory broth.
- Chicken Broth
Forms the flavorful liquid foundation. A good-quality broth adds richness without overpowering the cheeseburger notes.
- Potatoes
Diced potatoes provide body and creamy texture once tender. They soak up the broth, making each bite substantial.
- All-Purpose Flour
Acts as a thickening agent when whisked with milk, giving the soup its luscious, velvety consistency.
- Milk
Combined with flour to create a smooth slurry, milk brings creaminess and softens the savory edges.
- Cheddar Cheese
Shredded cheddar melts into the soup, adding that unmistakable sharpness and gooey cheeseburger feel.
- Salt
Enhances and balances all flavors, ensuring the soup isn’t bland.
- Black Pepper
Adds a mild heat and earthy spice, rounding out the seasoning.
- Sour Cream
Stirred in at the end for extra tanginess and a silky finish, it lifts the flavor and texture.
- Optional Garnishes
Chopped pickles, extra cheese, green onions, or bacon bits for personalized flair and textural contrast.
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY HEARTY CHEESEBURGER SOUP
Every step in this recipe is designed to layer flavor and build that signature cheeseburger taste in soup form. Follow these instructions to create a bowl that’s rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying.
1. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil and brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside, keeping all those caramelized bits in the pot for extra flavor.
2. In the same pot, add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes—this brings out their natural sweetness.
3. Return the browned beef to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and add diced potatoes, ensuring everything is submerged.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10–15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and milk until completely smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. Slowly pour this mixture into the pot, stirring constantly to prevent clumping.
6. Continue cooking while stirring until the soup thickens to a creamy consistency. Reduce the heat to low to prevent scorching.
7. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until it’s completely melted and the soup is silky and uniform.
8. Season with salt and black pepper according to your taste. Lastly, fold in the sour cream until the soup is luxuriously creamy and well-blended.
9. Serve hot, garnished with your choice of toppings—chopped pickles, extra cheese, green onions, or bacon bits—for that classic cheeseburger finish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR CREAMY HEARTY CHEESEBURGER SOUP
When it’s time to dish up your creamy masterpiece, presenting it thoughtfully makes all the difference. Whether you’re hosting friends or just enjoying a cozy dinner at home, here are some inspired pairings and plating ideas to take your Cheeseburger Soup from hearty bowl to memorable meal.
- Serve in a bread bowl for an extra indulgent touch. Hollow out a round loaf of crusty bread and ladle the steaming soup inside. The bread soaks up the broth, creating a delicious edible vessel.
- Pair with crusty garlic bread on the side. Toast or grill slices of French or sourdough bread brushed with garlic butter, then place them alongside the bowl to scoop up every last drop of soup.
- Present alongside a simple green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. The light, crisp greens cut through the richness of the soup, creating a well-balanced meal.
- Offer a DIY toppings bar with chopped pickles, extra shredded cheese, crisp bacon bits, and sliced green onions. Let everyone customize their bowl with the classic cheeseburger fixings for a fun, interactive dinner experience.
HOW TO STORE CREAMY HEARTY CHEESEBURGER SOUP
Proper storage ensures that leftovers stay just as flavorful and creamy the next day. With the right methods, you can prep ahead or save your extra servings without sacrificing texture or taste. Below are some tried-and-true techniques to keep your soup fresh and delicious.
- Refrigerator Storage
Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it into an airtight container. Store in the back of the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the dairy from splitting.
- Freezer Storage
For longer preservation, freeze the soup in meal-sized portions using freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags. Leave a little space at the top for expansion. It can last up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Separate Dairy Components
If you plan to freeze, consider stirring in sour cream and cheese only when you’re ready to serve. Freeze the base broth, meat, and veggies alone to prevent separation and graininess upon reheating.
- Reheating Tips
Always reheat slowly over low heat, stirring frequently. If the soup appears too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to restore its creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
CONCLUSION
From the very first spoonful, Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup brings the warmth and nostalgia of everyone’s favorite handheld meal into a cozy, comforting bowl. We’ve covered every aspect of this dish—from selecting the freshest ingredients like ground beef, cheddar cheese, and aromatic veggies, to mastering the art of building a luscious, thickened broth with flour and milk. Remember, this recipe is beginner-friendly: you only need 15 minutes of prep time, 30 minutes of simmering, and a quick 5-minute rest before diving in. At just 450 calories per serving, it strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity, making it ideal for a family dinner or for meal prepping a satisfying lunch that reheats beautifully.
Feel free to print this article and save it in your favorite recipe binder so you can revisit it whenever you need a quick, heartwarming meal. You’ll also find a FAQ below to help with any common questions, from ingredient swaps to reheating tricks. I’d love to hear how your soup turns out: leave a comment, share your own variations, or ask any questions if you need clarification. Your feedback helps me continue creating recipes that feel like a friend guiding you through the kitchen. Happy cooking, and here’s to many cozy nights filled with bowls of creamy, cheesy goodness!
Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup
Description
This rich and creamy soup blends savory ground beef, tender veggies, and melted cheddar cheese in a hearty broth. Perfect for cozy dinners!
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil and brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
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In the same pot, add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
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Return the browned beef to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and add diced potatoes.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour and milk together until smooth. Slowly add this mixture to the pot, stirring constantly.
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Continue cooking while stirring until the soup thickens. Reduce the heat to low.
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Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and combined.
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Add salt and black pepper according to taste. Lastly, stir in the sour cream until the soup is creamy and well-blended.
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Serve hot, garnished with your choice of toppings such as chopped pickles, extra cheese, green onions, or bacon bits.
Note
- For a variation, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- To add a bit of spice, include a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
- For a gluten-free option, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- This soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and tastes even better as leftovers.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
