Cheeseburger soup is a hearty, comforting soup loaded with ground beef, onions, celery, potatoes, and plenty of cheese in a rich creamy base.

Why this recipe works

It’s all in the name. Cheeseburger soup! This soup gives you all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in cozy, creamy, soup formation. With the addition of potatoes, because most soups are just better with potatoes, this soup will stick to your ribs and warm your bones. You can find this recipe and over 50 others in my collection of budget ground beef recipes.

There’s nothing quite like a big pot of creamy, comforting cold weather soup whether it be cheddar cheese potato soup or a steamy bowl of cheeseburger soup to snuggle up with on a chilly day.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

GROUND BEEF – In place of ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, sausage, or pork.

CHEESE – 16 oz. of Velveeta will yield a thick, hearty soup as seen here. You can use just 8 oz. of Velveeta for a bit of a lighter soup which will make it a little thinner and a bit more brothy. Both options are good, just depends on personal preference. You can substitute two cups of medium or sharp grated cheddar cheese for the Velveeta in this recipe. If doing so, I would recommend grating your cheese fresh from the block instead of using prebagged shredded cheese as those contain anti-caking agents which prevent the cheese from melting as well and can cause your soup to be grainy.

ADDITIONS – Grating the carrots really helps them fade into the background of the soup, adding some color, texture, and nutrition without having a big flavor presence in the soup. You can also simply dice them up if you like. You can also substitute chicken stock for the beef broth if you wish. We chose to use crumbled bacon as a garnish, but you can easily mix it into the pot of finished soup for something more along the lines of a bacon cheeseburger soup.

How to Make Cheeseburger Soup

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, saute the beef until browned. Drain and set aside.
Melt the butter in the stockpot. Add onion, celery, and carrots and saute until softened.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and saute 1-2 minutes longer until the flour is browning. Stir in the beef broth, adding a little at a time and stirring to make a smooth broth.
Add the potatoes to the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are soft and can easily be pierced with a fork.
Add the milk, Velveeta, parsley, and cooked ground beef to the soup and stir, heating until the cheese is melted and the soup is smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve with freshly grated cheddar and crumbled bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover cheeseburger soup in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or beef stock to help loosen it up a bit.

What kind of potatoes can I use in cheeseburger soup?

We prefer to use Russet potatoes for our cheeseburger soup, but you can use an all-purpose potato such as Yellow or Yukon Golden as well.

Serving Suggestions

Optionally top your cheeseburger soup with chopped bacon, green onions, sliced pickles, cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy warm with chunks of bread for dipping or add oyster crackers to the top for a bit of crunch.

More Soup Recipes

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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