Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns.
Cook until no longer pink.
Drain excess grease if necessary, then return the beef to the pot.
That browned beef is where so much of the burger flavor begins, so don't rush this step.
Step 2: Add the Onion and Garlic
Add the diced onion to the beef.
Cook for several minutes until the onion begins to soften.
Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
At this point, your kitchen should already be smelling pretty fantastic.
Step 3: Add the Potatoes and Broth
Add the diced potatoes and beef broth.
Stir in the salt, pepper, paprika, and dried parsley.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Step 4: Simmer Until the Potatoes Are Tender
Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender.
This usually takes around 10–15 minutes, depending on how large you cut them.
Try not to aggressively boil the soup. A gentle simmer gives the potatoes time to become tender without falling apart too quickly.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Base
While the potatoes cook, melt the butter in a separate saucepan.
Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute.
Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
Continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 6: Add the Creamy Mixture
Slowly pour the milk mixture into the soup, stirring as you go.
Give everything a good stir and allow the soup to warm gently.
Step 7: Add the Cheese
Reduce the heat to low.
Add the shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until melted.
Don't rush this part.
Gentle heat helps the cheese melt smoothly into the soup.
Step 8: Taste and Adjust
Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Want more cheeseburger flavor?
A tiny splash of Worcestershire sauce can add extra savory depth.
Step 9: Load It Up!
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Then comes the fun part.
Top each bowl with your favorite cheeseburger toppings.
A little bacon.
A handful of cheddar.
Green onions.
Diced pickles.
Maybe even a few tiny croutons for crunch.
Now you've got dinner!
Cheeseburger Soup Topping Ideas
If you're serving this to a crowd, set out several toppings and let everyone build their own bowl.
Classic Burger Style
Try:
- Cheddar
- Pickles
- Diced onions
- Bacon
Bacon Cheeseburger Style
Add:
- Crispy bacon
- Extra cheddar
- Green onions
- A drizzle of burger sauce
Spicy Cheeseburger Style
Use:
- Pepper Jack
- Jalapeños
- Crushed red pepper
- Hot sauce
BBQ Cheeseburger Style
Try:
- Cheddar
- Bacon
- BBQ sauce
- Crispy onions
There really isn't a wrong answer here!
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground Beef
You can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork.
Keep in mind that leaner meats may produce a slightly different flavor.
Milk
Whole milk gives you a richer soup, but 2% can also work.
For an extra creamy version, replace some of the milk with half-and-half.
Cheese
Cheddar is classic, but feel free to experiment with your favorite melting cheese.
Potatoes
Yukon Gold, Russet, or red potatoes can all work.
Gluten-Free
Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour, or use another thickening method suitable for your dietary needs.
Can You Make Cheeseburger Soup in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, although the cheese and creamy ingredients are best added toward the end.
Brown the beef and onions first, then transfer them to the slow cooker with the potatoes, broth, and seasonings.
Cook until the potatoes are tender.
Then prepare the creamy milk mixture separately and stir it into the soup near the end, followed by the cheese.
This prevents the dairy from spending hours at high heat and gives you a smoother finished soup.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Soup
Brown the Beef Well
Don't just cook the beef until it's done. Let it develop some color.
Those browned bits add wonderful savory flavor.
Cut the Potatoes Evenly
If some pieces are tiny and others are huge, they'll finish cooking at different times.
Uniform pieces are the way to go.
Add Cheese Over Low Heat
High heat can cause cheese to become greasy or grainy.
Once you're adding cheese, keep the temperature gentle.
Don't Boil After Adding the Cheese
A gentle heat is your friend.
You want the cheese to melt into the soup—not separate from it.
Taste Before Serving
Different broths and cheeses contain different amounts of salt.
Always taste your soup before adding more.
What to Serve With Cheeseburger Soup
This soup is filling enough to stand alone, but a few sides can make it an even bigger meal.
Try serving it with:
- Garlic bread
- Toasted dinner rolls
- Crusty French bread
- Side salad
- Coleslaw
- Cornbread
- Oven-baked fries
- Pickle spears
And if you're really leaning into the cheeseburger theme, serve it with crispy fries on the side.
Why not?
How to Store Leftover Cheeseburger Soup
Allow leftover soup to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.
It should generally be enjoyed within 3–4 days when properly refrigerated.
The soup may thicken in the refrigerator because of the potatoes and cheese.
When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
If it has become too thick, add a splash of milk or broth.
Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Soup?
You can, but dairy-based soups can sometimes change texture after freezing and thawing.
If you know ahead of time that you'll be freezing the soup, consider preparing the beef-and-potato portion separately and adding the dairy and cheese after thawing and reheating.
If you do freeze the finished soup, thaw it slowly in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Velveeta or processed cheese?
Yes. Processed cheese melts very smoothly and can create an especially creamy soup.
Can I make this soup without potatoes?
Absolutely. You can replace them with cauliflower, carrots, or another hearty vegetable, although the texture and flavor will change.
How do I make cheeseburger soup thicker?
You can simmer it a little longer, use a flour-based thickener, mash some of the potatoes, or add additional cheese.
How do I thin out cheeseburger soup?
Add a little extra milk or broth until you reach the consistency you like.
Can I add bacon directly to the soup?
Definitely! Crispy bacon can be stirred into the soup or sprinkled over individual servings.
Can I add pickles?
Yes—and if you love cheeseburgers with pickles, I highly recommend trying them as a topping.
The tanginess is fantastic against the rich, creamy soup.
Can I make this soup spicy?
Absolutely.
Add diced jalapeños, cayenne, hot sauce, pepper Jack cheese, or crushed red pepper flakes.
General Recipe Information
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Category: Soup, Main Dish
Cuisine: American-inspired
Cooking times can vary depending on the size of your potatoes and the type of pot you're using.
Approximate Nutrition Information
Nutrition will vary depending on the specific cheese, beef, milk, toppings, and portion size used.
As a rough estimate, one serving may contain approximately:
- Calories: 450–550
- Protein: 25–30g
- Fat: 28–35g
- Carbohydrates: 30–40g
- Fiber: 3–5g
- Sodium: 800–1,100mg
Adding bacon, extra cheese, or sauces will increase the nutritional values.
Final Thoughts
There's something wonderfully comforting about turning a classic favorite into a bowl of soup.
Loaded Cheeseburger Soup gives you the savory beef, creamy cheese, tender potatoes, and all those delicious burger-inspired toppings you love—without having to fire up the grill.
It's warm, filling, customizable, and exactly the kind of dinner that makes everyone slow down and enjoy the meal.
And that first spoonful?
Creamy broth, tender potato, seasoned beef, melted cheddar…
Oh, yes.
This is definitely one of those recipes you'll want to keep around for cold nights, busy weeknights, casual family dinners, and anytime a cheeseburger craving hits.
More Cozy Recipes to Try
If you love hearty comfort food, add these recipes to your list:
- Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
- Crockpot Beef Sirloin Tip Roast
- Classic Creole Macaroni
- Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
- Creamy Noodles Romanoff
- Easy Ground Beef Lo Mein
Did You Make This Loaded Cheeseburger Soup?
I'd love to hear what you put on top!
Did you go classic with cheddar and pickles? Add crispy bacon? Maybe you made it spicy with jalapeños and Pepper Jack?
Leave a review and share your photos on Pinterest so other readers can see how you loaded up their bowls.
Because when a recipe gives you permission to add all your favorite cheeseburger toppings, there's really no reason to hold back!
