Ultimate Cheeseburger Soup
This Ultimate Cheeseburger Soup recipe transforms the classic flavors of a juicy cheeseburger into a creamy, comforting soup. It's easy to make, customizable, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a chilly evening or a fun family meal.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Ladle
- Bowls for serving
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: Cooked bacon, sour cream, chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickles
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Drain off any excess grease from the browned ground beef.
- Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes, until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (undrained) to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat.
- Let the soup simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste forms (roux).
- Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the roux is smooth and there are no lumps.
- Cook the milk mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese to the soup. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Be patient; it might take a few minutes for the cheese to fully melt.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Add a generous pinch of each.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite cheeseburger toppings.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, use homemade beef broth. To prevent the cheese from clumping, add it gradually and stir constantly over low heat. If you're freezing the soup, consider omitting the cheddar cheese until after thawing and reheating for best results. Get creative with toppings! Consider adding a dollop of burger sauce or mustard for an extra burst of flavor.