Name: Cheeseburger Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 small onion (chopped); 1 carrot (shredded); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 3 cups potatoes (peeled and diced); 3 cups chicken or beef broth; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp butter; 3 tbsp flour; 1½ cups milk; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp ketchup; 1 tsp mustard; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; Optional toppings: crumbled bacon (chopped pickles, extra cheese)

The first time I heard “cheeseburger soup,” I’ll admit—I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain. Soup? That tastes like a burger? Sounded like something dreamed up by someone who owns a deep fryer and zero self-control. (Hi, yes, it me.)

But one cold evening, curiosity—and a nearly empty fridge—won. I browned up the last of my ground beef, tossed in some potatoes, a little cheese, and a prayer. What came out was ridiculously creamy, savory, and comforting. It was like my favorite diner burger melted into a bowl of cozy heaven. Now it’s one of those meals I make when I want everyone at the table to stop talking mid-bite and just say, “Whoa.”

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe

1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups chicken or beef broth
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1½ cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Optional toppings: crumbled bacon, chopped pickles, extra cheese

The Browning: Where Flavor Is Born

Grab a big soup pot or Dutch oven. Heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers—like a little heat mirage. Add 1 pound of ground beef (or ground turkey if you’re pretending to be healthy) and cook until it’s browned and crumbly.

Drain off most of the grease but leave just a little—it’s where the flavor lives. Stir in 1 small chopped onion, 1 shredded carrot (yes, trust me), and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, until everything smells like the start of a very good decision.

The Simmer: Building the Cozy

Toss in 3 cups of peeled, diced potatoes, 3 cups of chicken or beef broth, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Bring it all to a simmer, then cover and cook for about 12–15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender enough to squish easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, stir occasionally and feel smug about making something that looks this hearty.

The Creamy Twist: Because Burgers Deserve Cheese

In a small saucepan (or right in the soup pot if you’re feeling rebellious), melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour to make a roux—it’ll look like paste at first, then start to smell like warm toast. Slowly whisk in 1½ cups of milk, a little at a time, until it thickens.

Pour that creamy magic into your soup pot and stir until it’s all blended. Now for the best part: add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir slowly while it melts, and watch your soup transform into something truly beautiful.

For extra burger flavor, squirt in 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of mustard, and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

The Finishing Touches

Once everything’s melted and luscious, ladle it into bowls and top with crisp bacon bits, chopped pickles, and maybe a sprinkle of extra cheese (because we’ve committed to this theme). Serve it with crusty bread or even burger buns if you want to be that person.

🔍 Recipe Notes & Tips

Shortcut alert: Skip the roux and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream instead of the milk/flour mixture. It’s a little lazier but still delicious.
Make it smoky: Swap cheddar for smoked gouda or add a few drops of liquid smoke.
Vegetarian version: Use veggie broth and swap beef for lentils or chopped mushrooms.
Too thick? Add more broth or milk until it’s your ideal consistency.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

With buttered rolls or toasted burger buns
A crisp dill pickle on the side (trust me, it works)
A simple green salad to pretend there are vitamins involved

🎯 Make it Work for

Snow days or “fake fall” evenings when you want cozy vibes
Game night in sweatpants
When you crave a burger but forgot to buy buns
Those “let’s just stay in” Sundays

📦 Storage & Leftovers

Keep leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave—just don’t boil it, or the cheese might separate. If it thickens up, add a splash of milk to loosen it.
It also freezes surprisingly well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.