Easy Cheeseburger Soup Recipe (Creamy Ground Beef Dinner Idea)

June 9, 2026

Easy Cheeseburger Soup Recipe (Creamy, Cheesy & Hearty)

If you love a classic cheeseburger, this easy Cheeseburger Soup recipe turns those familiar flavors into a rich and creamy bowl of comfort food. It's loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, carrots, sharp cheddar cheese, and a velvety homemade broth.

Top it with crispy bacon, extra cheddar, and green onions for a hearty one-pot cheeseburger soup that's perfect for chilly fall nights, winter dinners, or anytime you're craving something warm and filling.

Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6

Why You'll Love This Cheeseburger Soup

Easy one-pot dinner

Ready in under an hour

Rich, creamy, and cheesy

Made with simple ingredients

Kid and family-friendly

Perfect for fall and winter

Great way to use ground beef

Delicious reheated for lunch the next day

Ingredients

For the Cheeseburger Soup

1 pound ground beef

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup carrots, peeled and diced

3 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed

2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cheeseburger Soup Toppings

Crispy crumbled bacon

Sliced green onions

Extra shredded cheddar cheese

Chopped pickles, optional

Freshly cracked black pepper

How to Make Cheeseburger Soup

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.

Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles as it cooks.

Once the beef is browned and the onions have softened, carefully drain off any excess grease.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Step 2: Cook the Potatoes and Carrots

Add the diced potatoes and carrots to the pot.

Pour in the chicken broth and stir everything together.

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

Cover and simmer for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Soup Base

While the vegetables cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.

Whisk in the flour and cook for approximately 1 minute.

Slowly pour in the milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps.

Continue cooking for several minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.

Step 4: Make the Soup Creamy

Slowly pour the milk mixture into the Dutch oven and stir to combine.

Add the softened cream cheese.

Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese has completely melted into the broth.

Step 5: Add the Cheddar Cheese

Reduce the heat to low before adding the cheddar cheese.

Add the shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring between each addition until melted.

Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Let the cheeseburger soup cook gently for another 5 minutes.

Don't allow the soup to rapidly boil once you've added the cheese and dairy.

Step 6: Add Your Favorite Cheeseburger Toppings

Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with crispy bacon, green onions, and extra shredded cheddar.

For even more of a cheeseburger-inspired flavor, add a small amount of finely chopped dill pickle on top.

What Does Cheeseburger Soup Taste Like?

Cheeseburger soup combines the savory flavors of a cheeseburger with the rich texture of creamy potato soup.

You get seasoned ground beef and cheddar cheese like you'd expect from a cheeseburger, while potatoes and carrots turn it into a hearty, spoonable meal.

The cream cheese adds richness and helps create the thick, velvety broth.

What Are the Best Potatoes for Cheeseburger Soup?

Russet potatoes are an excellent choice for creamy cheeseburger soup.

Their high starch content helps naturally thicken the broth as they cook, creating a softer, creamier texture.

Yukon Gold potatoes are another good option if you prefer potatoes that hold their shape a little better.

Cut the potatoes into relatively small, evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.

The Secret to Creamy Cheeseburger Soup

There are three things that make this soup especially creamy: the butter-and-flour roux, softened cream cheese, and freshly shredded cheddar.

For the smoothest cheese sauce, shred your cheddar directly from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking ingredients that can prevent it from melting as smoothly.

Also, keep the heat low once you add the cheese. Excessive heat can cause a cheese-based soup to become grainy or separate.

Cheeseburger Soup Variations

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Cook 6 slices of bacon until crispy. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it over each bowl before serving.

For even more bacon flavor, sauté the onion and ground beef in a small amount of the reserved bacon fat.

Spicy Cheeseburger Soup

Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Pepper Jack can also replace part of the cheddar.

Loaded Cheeseburger Soup

Top each bowl with cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, diced pickles, and a small dollop of sour cream.

Cheeseburger Soup Without Cream Cheese

You can leave out the cream cheese and increase the amount of milk slightly. The soup won't be quite as rich, but the roux and cheddar will still create a creamy broth.

What to Serve With Cheeseburger Soup

Because this soup is already hearty, simple sides work best:

Garlic bread

Crusty bread

Dinner rolls

Toasted hamburger buns

Grilled cheese

Side salad

Roasted vegetables

French fries or potato wedges

For the full cheeseburger experience, brush pieces of hamburger bun with melted butter, toast them until golden, and serve them alongside the soup for dipping.

How to Store Cheeseburger Soup

Allow leftover soup to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat the soup gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently. You can add a splash of milk or chicken broth if the soup becomes too thick in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Soup?

You can freeze cheeseburger soup, but soups containing potatoes and dairy can change texture after freezing.

For the best results, prepare the beef, vegetables, and broth and freeze the soup before adding the milk, cream cheese, and cheddar.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat on the stove, and then finish the soup with the freshly prepared creamy ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you thicken Cheeseburger Soup?

The flour-and-butter roux thickens the milk before it's added to the soup. The starch from the russet potatoes and melted cheeses also help create a thick, creamy consistency.

Can I use Velveeta in Cheeseburger Soup?

Yes. Velveeta melts very smoothly and can replace some or all of the cheddar. However, sharp cheddar provides a stronger, more traditional cheese flavor.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes. Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef, although the soup will have a lighter flavor.

Can I make Cheeseburger Soup in a slow cooker?

Yes. Brown the beef and onion first, then transfer them to the slow cooker with the potatoes, carrots, broth, and seasonings. Add the dairy and cheese toward the end of cooking.

Why is my Cheeseburger Soup grainy?

Cheese can become grainy when exposed to excessive heat. Reduce the heat to low before adding the cheddar and stir it in gradually. Freshly shredded cheese also tends to melt more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.