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If you’ve ever craved the rich, hearty flavors of a cheeseburger transformed into something warm and cozy, you’re in for a treat. This Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe captures everything you love about a juicy cheeseburger and turns it into a luscious, creamy soup that’s perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want a satisfying, soul-soothing meal. It’s packed with tender ground beef, tender potatoes, melty cheddar cheese, and a beautiful blend of spices that make each bite pure comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe means gathering a handful of simple, yet fantastic ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role, from the savory ground beef that forms the base, to the creamy cheeses that bring richness, and the fresh vegetables that add texture and color.
- Ground beef: The hearty protein foundation that makes every spoonful satisfying and meaty.
- Yellow onion: Adds a gentle sweetness and depth when sautéed until tender.
- Garlic: Infuses a warm, aromatic note that elevates the entire soup.
- Beef broth: Provides a rich, flavorful liquid base that marries all the ingredients.
- Diced tomatoes (undrained): Bring a touch of acidity and freshness to brighten the dish.
- Diced green chilies (undrained): Add a subtle, smoky heat and a hint of complexity.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Blends herbs like oregano and basil to enhance the savory profile.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and highlight flavors.
- Potatoes, peeled and cubed: Offer comforting bite and bulk to the soup.
- Shredded carrots: Add a touch of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Cream cheese: The secret to creamy, velvety richness that wraps everything together.
- Milk: Helps make the soup silky and smooth without overpowering flavors.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melted in for that classic cheeseburger taste and cheesy goodness.
- Optional toppings: Cooked bacon crumbles, sour cream, and green onions bring extra texture and festive flair.
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-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. This step is vital because browning the beef creates those rich, caramelized flavors that are the cornerstone of this soup. Once browned, be sure to drain off excess grease to keep your soup from becoming greasy.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Next, toss in the chopped yellow onion and cook until it’s softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. This slow melting release of sweetness creates a fantastic flavor base. After that, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute. The aroma will fill your kitchen with inviting warmth — trust me, this is when the magic truly starts.
Step 3: Add Liquids and Seasonings
Pour in your beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and green chilies right into the pot. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. This combination gives the soup its savory and slightly tangy backbone, building layers of flavor that will make you want to dive right in.
Step 4: Add Vegetables and Simmer
Now add the peeled, cubed potatoes and shredded carrots—the hearty veggies that give substance and subtle sweetness. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. This simmering softens the potatoes just perfectly, melding all elements together.
Step 5: Create Creamy Cheeseburger Goodness
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese, whisking or blending until completely smooth and creamy. Pour in the milk to loosen the texture and stir until fully combined. Finish by folding in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and glossy. This step transforms the soup into a luscious, cheeseburger-inspired delight.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
Ladle your delicious soup into bowls and don’t be shy with the toppings! A sprinkle of shredded cheddar, crispy bacon crumbles, dollops of sour cream, and a handful of chopped green onions will elevate this cozy dish to restaurant-quality comfort food in the blink of an eye.
How to Serve Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Garnishes
Toppings are where you can have a little fun and personalize your bowl of Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe. Crisp bacon crumbles add crunchy, smoky notes, while sour cream brings creaminess and a nice tang. Freshly chopped green onions add a burst of freshness and a pop of color, making every bite that much more inviting.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty on its own, but if you’re feeling extra hungry or want to round out the meal, warm crusty bread or garlic loaf pairs beautifully. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can balance the richness, and steamed veggies add a nice, fresh contrast without overwhelming the dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup inside hollowed-out bread bowls for a charming presentation that feels special. You can also top with crispy fried onions for crunch or swirl in a bit of your favorite hot sauce for some heat. Personalizing your presentation makes enjoying this recipe even more satisfying and memorable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got some soup left over? No worries! Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen as it rests, so leftovers can be even better the next day—just give it a good stir before reheating.
Freezing
This Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe freezes wonderfully. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply move it to the fridge overnight. Keep in mind that potatoes can sometimes change texture slightly after freezing, but the overall deliciousness remains.
Reheating
Reheat your soup gently over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and maintain a smooth texture. If it seems too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen. Avoid microwaving at high heat to keep that creamy goodness intact.
FAQs
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
While the original recipe shines with ground beef, you can absolutely swap in plant-based meat crumbles or hearty mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Just use vegetable broth instead of beef broth to keep things flavorful.
What type of potatoes work best?
Yukon Gold or red potatoes hold their shape nicely and have a buttery flavor that complements this soup well. Russets are also fine but can get a bit too soft if overcooked.
Is there a way to make this soup lower in fat?
Yes! Use lean ground beef or ground turkey and low-fat cream cheese and cheddar. Also, skimming grease after browning the meat helps reduce excess fat without sacrificing flavor.
Can I prepare this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Brown the meat and sauté onions and garlic first, then combine all ingredients except cream cheese and cheddar in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, adding the cheeses near the end for melting.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
You can substitute with a mixture of heavy cream and a little flour for thickening or melt in some Velveeta cheese for a similar creamy texture and smooth melt.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe that hits all the right notes: rich, cheesy, hearty, and utterly satisfying. It’s the kind of recipe that makes rainy days cozy and weeknight dinners effortless. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover why it’s become one of my all-time favorite comfort foods to share with friends and family.
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Easy Cheeseburger Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich flavors of ground beef, tender potatoes, creamy cheddar cheese, and a touch of spice from diced green chilies. Perfect for chilly days, this hearty soup is simple to prepare and yields a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Vegetables
- 4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes (about 2 large potatoes)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
Creamy Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
Optional Toppings
- Cooked bacon crumbles
- Sour cream
- Green onions
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease to ensure a cleaner, less greasy soup.
- Sauté the onion: Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, which helps build a flavorful base.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, releasing its aroma into the soup.
- Combine liquids and seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and diced green chilies (with their juices). Stir in the dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to season the soup evenly.
- Add vegetables: Add the cubed potatoes and shredded carrots to the pot, ensuring they are submerged for even cooking.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Add cream cheese: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the softened cream cheese and whisk vigorously or use an immersion blender to incorporate it smoothly, adding creaminess to the soup.
- Add milk: Pour in the milk and stir until fully combined, balancing the thickness and enriching the texture.
- Incorporate cheddar cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth, giving the soup its signature cheesy flavor.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with extra shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon crumbles, sour cream, and green onions if desired. Serve immediately while hot and comforting.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of milk or add a tablespoon of flour when sautéing the onions.
- You can substitute cream cheese with heavy cream for a different creaminess.
- Adjust the salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or chives as an alternative garnish.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
