Introduction

Cheeseburger Soup is a comforting and hearty dish that combines all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a warm, creamy bowl. It’s packed with ground beef, tender vegetables, melted cheese, and a touch of seasoning, making it perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week.

A white bowl filled with thick, creamy soup that has a light yellow color mixed with small herbs and spices. The soup contains several layers of chunky, soft potato pieces in pale yellow, bright orange carrot cubes, brown ground meat bits, and small green celery pieces. The bowl is placed on a light blue cloth on a white marbled surface, with a piece of torn bread partly visible in the top left and a silver spoon in the upper right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
¾ cup onion, chopped
¾ cup carrots, shredded
¾ cup celery, diced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
2 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled potatoes, diced (about 1¾ pounds)
¼ cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour can be used)
12 ounces pepper jack Velveeta, cut into cubes
1½ cups milk
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup sour cream

Instructions

Step 1: In a 3-quart saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
Step 2: In the same saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, shredded carrots, diced celery, dried basil, and dried parsley flakes. Sauté the vegetables until tender, about 10 minutes. Press the garlic cloves into the pot and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the chicken broth, diced potatoes, and cooked beef to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Step 4: While the soup simmers, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and lightly golden. Gradually add this roux to the soup, stirring well. Bring the soup back to a boil and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until it thickens.
Step 5: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cubed pepper jack Velveeta, milk, salt, and black pepper. Cook and stir until the cheese has melted completely. Remove the pot from the heat and blend in the sour cream until smooth.

Tips & Variations

For a milder flavor, substitute cheddar cheese for the pepper jack Velveeta.
Add cooked bacon or top bowls with crispy bacon bits for extra smokiness.
Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch as a thickener if you need a gluten-free version.
To make it vegetarian, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Storage

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or separating. If the soup thickens too much after cooling, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the consistency.

How to Serve

A close-up top view of a white bowl filled with thick, creamy soup showing visible chunks of light yellow potatoes, small orange carrot pieces, and ground brown sausage mixed with bits of green celery, all covered in the creamy broth with green herb sprinkles on top. The soup has a rich, slightly textured look with some small lumps of sausage and vegetables clearly seen. A vintage silver spoon rests on the left side inside the bowl, and next to the bowl on a folded blue cloth napkin on a white marbled surface, there are torn pieces of crusty white bread with a browned crust. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze cheeseburger soup?

Yes, you can freeze cheeseburger soup. Let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stove. Note that the texture of the potatoes may change slightly after freezing.

Can I use other types of cheese?

Absolutely! While pepper jack Velveeta adds a nice flavor and creaminess, you can substitute with cheddar, Colby, or a cheese blend that melts well. Adjust the seasoning to complement the cheese you choose.