The short answer: to make cheeseburger soup, brown 1 pound of ground beef, cook onion, carrots and celery in butter, stir in flour and broth, simmer diced potatoes until tender, then add the beef and milk and melt in sharp cheddar off the heat.
- Key numbers: 1 pound ground beef · 4 cups broth · 1½ pounds potatoes · 1½ cups milk · 2 cups (8 ounces) sharp cheddar · about 45 minutes · makes about 8 cups
- Top moves: shred the cheese from a block, add it off the heat, and finish with burger toppings like bacon, pickles and tomato
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Prep time: 25 minCook time: 23 minTotal time: 48 minServings: 8 cups
Amounts in this cheeseburger soup recipe were checked November 3, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, steps, a slow cooker version, toppings, variations and storage.
Cheeseburger soup ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 pound | 85% lean is a good balance |
| Butter | 4 tablespoons | |
| Yellow onion | 1, diced | |
| Carrots | 2, diced | |
| Celery | 2 ribs, diced | |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced | |
| All-purpose flour | ¼ cup | |
| Chicken or beef broth | 4 cups | Low-sodium lets you control salt |
| Yukon Gold potatoes | 1½ pounds (about 4 cups), ½-inch dice | |
| Whole milk | 1½ cups | |
| Sharp cheddar | 2 cups (8 ounces), freshly shredded | |
| Yellow mustard | 1 teaspoon | Optional, very burger-like |
| Dried parsley or basil | 1 teaspoon | |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | |
| Sour cream | ½ cup | Optional, for extra creaminess |
How to make cheeseburger soup
- Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Ground beef is safe at 160°F. Move it to a bowl and drain the fat.
- Soften the vegetables. Melt the butter in the same pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrots and celery for 6 to 8 minutes, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Make the roux. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute.
- Add broth and potatoes. Slowly whisk in the broth, add the potatoes, parsley and a pinch of salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Add beef and milk. Stir in the beef, milk and mustard and heat until steaming. Don't let it boil.
- Melt the cheese. Take the pot off the heat. Stir in the cheddar a handful at a time, then the sour cream if using. Taste for salt.
- Top and serve. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
Slow cooker cheeseburger soup
| Step | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown and drain the beef on the stove | 8 to 10 minutes |
| 2 | Add beef, vegetables, potatoes, garlic and broth to the slow cooker | 5 minutes |
| 3 | Cook | Low 6 to 7 hours or high 3 to 4 hours |
| 4 | Stir in 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese, the milk and cheddar | Last 30 minutes |
The cream cheese stands in for the roux and keeps the soup creamy without stovetop work. For more hands-off dinners, see our slow cooker recipes.
Toppings that make it taste like a cheeseburger
- Crumbled bacon
- Diced dill pickles
- Chopped tomato
- Sliced green onion or diced raw onion
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Toasted burger-bun croutons
- A drizzle of ketchup and mustard
Easy variations
- Bacon cheeseburger soup: cook 6 slices of bacon first and use some of the fat in place of butter.
- Lighter: use lean beef or ground turkey (cooked to 165°F) and 2% milk.
- Loaded: add 1 cup of frozen corn or peas with the milk.
- Spicy: add a diced jalapeño with the vegetables and use pepper jack.
- Stretch it: add 1 more cup of potatoes and 1 cup of broth to serve more people on a budget.
If your family likes creamy soups, try our potato soup and tomato soup, or browse all our soup recipes.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Chill leftovers within 2 hours. USDA says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and should be reheated to 165°F. Reheat gently over medium-low heat, stirring, and add a splash of milk if it thickened. For the freezer, make the soup through step 5 without the milk, freeze it up to 3 months, then add the milk and cheese when you reheat. Cheeseburger soup without dairy also makes a solid entry in your freezer meals rotation.
Malaysia loves cooking, and a pot of soup that turns a pound of ground beef into dinner plus lunches is a budget win. For more ways to use ground beef, see our ground beef dinner ideas.
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Frequently asked questions
What is cheeseburger soup? Cheeseburger soup is a creamy soup of ground beef, potatoes, onion, carrots and celery in a cheddar cheese base. It tastes like a cheeseburger, especially with bacon, pickle and tomato toppings.
How do you keep cheese from getting grainy in soup? Take the pot off the heat, then stir in freshly shredded cheddar a handful at a time until each melts. Boiling the soup after the cheese goes in, or using pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents, makes it grainy.
What cheese is best for cheeseburger soup? Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, and adding a few slices of American cheese makes it extra smooth. Shred the cheddar from a block for the creamiest melt.
Can I make cheeseburger soup in a crockpot? Yes, add browned beef, the vegetables, potatoes and broth and cook on low 6 to 7 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. Stir in cubed cream cheese, milk and cheddar for the last 30 minutes.
What potatoes are best for cheeseburger soup? Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape and taste buttery, while russets break down a little and thicken the soup. Either works in ½-inch cubes.
How do you thicken cheeseburger soup? This recipe thickens with a butter and flour roux, and the potatoes and cheese thicken it more. For thicker soup, mash a cup of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
What do you serve with cheeseburger soup? Serve cheeseburger soup with pickles, a green salad, soft rolls or toasted burger buns. It is also good with oven fries for a full burger-night feel.
Can I use ground turkey in cheeseburger soup? Yes, ground turkey works in place of beef. Cook it to 165°F, the safe minimum for ground poultry, and add a little extra seasoning since it is milder.
How long does cheeseburger soup last in the fridge? Cheeseburger soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when it is chilled within 2 hours. Reheat it gently over medium-low heat, stirring, so the cheese doesn't separate.
Can you freeze cheeseburger soup? You can, but dairy and potatoes can turn grainy after freezing. For the best texture, freeze the soup before adding the milk and cheese, then stir them in when you reheat.
How do I fit cheeseburger soup into a weekly meal plan? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. gives you a weekly menu and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so the beef, potatoes and cheddar go on one trip. A pot makes about 8 cups, enough for dinner and two lunches.
Where can I save my cheeseburger soup recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages and dividers, so your cheeseburger soup and its toppings live with your other cold-weather favorites. It prints on US Letter paper.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov