Cheeseburger soup in the crock pot. Tell me that’s not the kind of dinner you dream about after a rough Monday (or just, you know, ANY chilly weeknight). Picture this: you come home, it kinda smells like a five-star burger joint in your kitchen, except dinner’s bubbling away without you having to flip burgers or do any extra dishes. Seriously, my picky crew LOVES it, and it’s saved my sanity on more than one occasion. You wondering how to pull this off with what’s already in your fridge? Good news. I’ve got you.
What you Need to Make the Ultimate Cheeseburger Soup
Let’s not overthink it. The best cheeseburger soup is built on simple, familiar stuff. You probably have most of this hanging out in your kitchen already.
First up is ground beef. I always go fresh, but frozen works if that’s what’s on hand. Then, potatoes. Russets or Yukon Gold are great for that creamy texture but no judgment if you reach for frozen hashbrowns (been there). Cheese is big too, and I vote for shredded sharp cheddar every single time. It really brings those cheeseburger vibes.
Don’t skip onions and garlic. They add so much flavor! Broth is another must. I use beef broth, but in a pinch, chicken will get the job done. Let’s not forget carrots, celery, and a splash of milk (for that velvety finish). Sometimes I get wild and toss in some diced tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Oh, and a few pickle slices on top at the end? Mind-blowing little touch, trust me.
How to Make The Best Cheeseburger Soup
Okay, here’s where it gets real. Making crock pot cheeseburger soup isn’t complicated don’t let anyone scare you. Brown the beef first, so you dodge all that extra grease floating around (I learned this the hard way; just trust me). Once it’s brown and crumbly, toss it in the slow cooker.
Add your chopped potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery right in. I just dump them all in together no fuss. Next, pour in your broth and a little splash of Worcestershire if you’ve got it handy. Give it all a stir, put the lid on, then let your crock pot do its magic.
After a few hours (I leave it on low all day, honestly), stir in the milk and cheese. Let that get all melty and perfect. Taste it a little extra salt or black pepper might be needed. I sometimes stir in a handful of chopped pickles at the end for a punchy, burger-y finish.
“I had never tried crock pot cheeseburger soup before, and I was honestly shocked at how much my family loved it! It was easy, the kitchen stayed clean, and everyone went back for seconds. Total win.” Jamie, a loyal Tuesday-night tester
Cooking in the Slow Cooker?
Here’s where crock pot cheeseburger soup really shines. You don’t need to babysit it. Just dump, stir, forget it for hours (I set my timer for 7, but it’s forgiving). The longer it sits, the more those flavors get together and mingle into something magical.
Unlike stovetop soups that need coddling, this one’s foolproof. And you still get all that hearty, homey vibe you want from a comfort meal. Plus, the clean-up? Practically nonexistent. If you’re using a slow cooker liner bless you. No scrubbing, no crusty corners.
Tips for The Best Soup
Let’s cut to the chase. Making crock pot cheeseburger soup taste like absolute magic comes down to a few tiny tweaks I swear by:
- Brown your meat first so the flavor in the soup is rich (and not greasy).
- Don’t overcook the potatoes so they stay a little firm.
- Add your milk and shredded cheese in the last 30 minutes, not at the start.
- Stir in a splash of hot sauce at the end if you want a little zing.
Cheeseburger soup variations
This soup isn’t fussy. Love bacon cheeseburgers? Crisp up some bacon and toss it in at the end. Trying to eat lighter? Swap in ground turkey or chicken for the beef. For gluten-free friends, skip any flour-thickener. Sometimes I’ve thrown in a handful of frozen peas or corn just because they needed using up.
You can totally riff on the cheese. American cheese makes it extra creamy, or smoky gouda if you’re feeling fancy. One of my friends swears by dill pickles as a must-mix in, but I’ve also had folks rave over a swirl of BBQ sauce for a backyard burger vibe. You can even make it vegetarian just skip the meat and amp up the veggies. It’s delicious, I promise.
Print
Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Beef
Description
A delicious and easy cheeseburger soup made in a slow cooker. Comfort food at its finest!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, chopped
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: sliced pickles for topping
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then transfer it to the slow cooker.
- Add chopped potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stir well, and cover.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the milk and shredded cheese until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper, and top with sliced pickles if desired.
Notes
For added flavor, consider stirring in a splash of hot sauce at the end. Feel free to customize with your favorite burger toppings!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Common Questions
Q: Can I freeze crock pot cheeseburger soup?
A: Yep! Just let it cool, then freeze. The potatoes might get a tad soft, but it still tastes legit.
Q: Do I have to brown the meat first?
A: Technically no, but honestly, it’ll taste so much better if you do.
Q: Which cheese works best?
A: Sharp cheddar melts perfectly and brings that classic flavor, but experiment if you like! American, Swiss, or whatever’s in your fridge.
Q: How long does it keep in the fridge?
A: It’s good for up to four days. If you have leftovers after that, hats off to your willpower.
Q: Can I make this without potatoes?
A: Sure thing. Sub in cauliflower for a low-carb situation, or just load up on extra veggies.
This Soup Might Just Become Your Favorite Too
If you ask me, there are tough days, and then there are crock pot cheeseburger soup days. This recipe is totally foolproof, crowd-pleasing, and honestly? It tastes like love in a bowl. Tweak it, share it, make it yours just don’t skip the cheese! If you want to get more ideas for cozy dinners, try exploring other comfort classics from trusted recipe sites like Serious Eats or even your grandma’s old cookbooks for inspo.
I hope you give this a whirl soon. Just imagine: you, a spoon, and a bowl of crock pot cheeseburger soup so good you’ll probably want to sneak a second helping. Go on, you deserve it!
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