Easy Cheeseburger Soup Ingredients
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Below are the full ingredient measurements for a successful soup:
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5 pieces of bacon, cut into small pieces
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1 lb ground beef
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1/4 cup butter
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1/4 cup onion, diced
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2 sticks celery, diced
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1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
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6 tablespoons flour
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4 cups chicken broth
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced small
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2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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Salt & pepper to taste
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1/4 cup pickles, diced (optional for garnish or mixing in)
These ingredients blend beautifully to create a creamy soup with balanced textures and flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
How to Make Easy Cheeseburger Soup
Follow these directions carefully for a rich and creamy result:
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Use kitchen shears to quickly cut the bacon into small pieces.
Cook in a soup pot over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10 minutes.
Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the fat in the pot. -
Add the ground beef to the same pot.
Cook, breaking it apart until browned. Drain excess fat and transfer beef to a second paper towel-lined plate. -
Melt the butter in the pot, then sauté the onion and celery for 4-5 minutes until softened.
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Add the garlic and flour, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
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Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth and fully dissolved.
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Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, and return the beef to the pot.
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Increase heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
Then reduce to medium-low and simmer gently with the lid slightly ajar for about 15 minutes.
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. -
Once the potatoes are fork-tender and the soup has thickened, turn off heat.
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Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth.
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If the soup becomes too thick, add additional broth, milk, or cream to achieve desired consistency.
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Stir in most of the cooked bacon, reserving a little for garnish.
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Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Stir in diced pickles or serve them as a topping.
Once plated, add bacon crumbles, extra shredded cheese, and a few pickles if desired.
Tips for the Best Easy Cheeseburger Soup
Use these professional tips to ensure a smooth and flavorful finish:
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Shred your own cheddar cheese instead of using packaged pre-shredded cheese.
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting. -
Do not rapidly boil the soup after adding cheese.
High heat can cause cheese to separate or become grainy. -
Yukon gold potatoes are best for their creamy texture, but russet potatoes also work.
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Let the bacon render slowly to create flavorful drippings for cooking vegetables.
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Salt gradually. Bacon, cheese, and Worcestershire sauce already contain salt.
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Stir often once potatoes are added to avoid sticking.
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Add pickles only when serving if you want to maintain crunch and tang.
These tips will help you achieve desirable consistency and maximum cheeseburger flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
This Easy Cheeseburger Soup is extremely flexible. Try these swaps if needed:
Protein Options
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Ground turkey instead of ground beef
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Ground chicken for a lighter version
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Plant-based meat for a vegetarian-friendly option
Cheese Alternatives
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American cheese for more classic cheeseburger taste
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Colby Jack or Pepper Jack for spice
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White cheddar for sharper flavor
Vegetable Variations
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Add diced carrots for color and sweetness
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Add bell peppers for a BBQ-style twist
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Replace celery with more onion for those who prefer a stronger onion flavor
Flavor Variations
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Add a drizzle of ketchup or mustard while serving for authentic cheeseburger vibes
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Add diced tomatoes or salsa for a cheeseburger deluxe version
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Stir in hot sauce or jalapeños for a spicy kick
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Mix in chopped cooked mushrooms for a savory depth
You can also top with croutons or toasted buns for that perfect burger-and-bread combination.
Can You Make Cheeseburger Soup Ahead of Time?
Yes. This soup can be prepared in advance and reheated later.
Storage instructions:
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Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days
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Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat
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Add milk or broth if the soup thickens during storage
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Stir frequently to prevent cheese from separating
Because dairy-based soups can split when frozen, freezing is possible but not ideal. If freezing, do so before adding cheese and cream. Add them when reheating for the best texture.
What to Serve with Easy Cheeseburger Soup
This dish stands beautifully on its own, but pairing it with sides creates a complete meal.
Serve with:
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Toasted garlic bread or buttered rolls
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Simple green salad
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Homemade biscuits
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French fries or potato wedges if you want a true burger-style experience
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Cornbread or dinner rolls for scooping up every last drop
Ideal drink pairings include iced tea, root beer, or a classic cola for that diner-style effect.
How to Adjust Consistency
Soup texture can vary depending on your preference.
For a thicker soup:
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Mash some of the potatoes into the broth
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Add extra cheese
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Continue simmering with lid uncovered
For a thinner soup:
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Add additional broth or milk
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Reduce cheese quantity slightly
The balance is all about making the soup exactly how you enjoy it.
Nutritional Notes
While this soup is indulgent due to cream and cheese, you can make it lighter with:
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Ground turkey or chicken
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Reduced-fat cheese and cream
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More vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli
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Eliminating bacon (though it adds wonderful flavor)
Even small adjustments can help tailor this soup to your dietary needs.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time
Easy Cheeseburger Soup uses classic culinary techniques:
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Rendered bacon and beef build a savory base
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A flour roux thickens the broth properly
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Potatoes release starch to create thickness and body
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Sharp cheddar provides delicious, smooth cheesiness
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Cream rounds everything out with richness and silkiness
With all these layers, each spoonful delivers bold cheeseburger flavor.
Troubleshooting Common Soup Issues
If your soup becomes:
Too grainy
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Heat was too high when cheese was added. Reheat gently and whisk smooth if possible.
Too thin
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Simmer longer
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Add a cornstarch slurry or a bit more cheese
Not cheesy enough
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Add extra shredded cheddar to taste
Too salty
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Add a splash of milk or broth to dilute
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Add more potatoes to balance out flavor
Separating
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Keep heat low once dairy ingredients are added
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Stir regularly to maintain smoothness
Each solution ensures your soup stays creamy and delicious.
An Affordable Dinner Option
This Easy Cheeseburger Soup can easily feed six people for a fraction of the price of takeout. With inexpensive pantry staples like potatoes, flour, broth, and ground beef, it is a budget-friendly comfort meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully, adding even more value.
Cost-saving tips:
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Buy cheese in blocks and shred yourself
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Stock up on potatoes in bulk
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Choose store-brand dairy and broth
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Make homemade broth using leftover chicken bones if desired
Delicious does not need to be expensive. This recipe proves it.
PrintEasy Cheeseburger Soup
This Easy Cheeseburger Soup has all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger — juicy beef, sharp cheddar cheese, potatoes, and even an optional pickle topping! It’s rich, creamy, and incredibly comforting. A perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
Ingredients
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5 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
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1 lb ground beef
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¼ cup butter
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¼ cup diced onion
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2 celery stalks, diced
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½ tsp minced garlic
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6 tbsp all-purpose flour
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4 cups chicken broth
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & diced small
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2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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¼ cup diced pickles (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook Bacon
Cook bacon in a soup pot over medium-high heat until crispy (about 10 minutes).
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
2️⃣ Brown Beef
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to another plate.
3️⃣ Sauté Veggies
Melt butter in the same pot. Add onion and celery; cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4️⃣ Thicken Base
Add flour and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
5️⃣ Add Broth & Cream
Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth.
Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and potatoes.
Return beef to the pot.
6️⃣ Simmer
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
Cover pot slightly ajar and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender and soup thickens.
7️⃣ Finish with Cheese
Turn off heat and gradually stir in cheddar until melted.
If too thick, add extra broth, milk, or cream.
8️⃣ Serve
Stir in most of the bacon, reserving some for topping.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Garnish with bacon — and diced pickles for that true cheeseburger flavor!
Notes
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For extra flavor, use smoked cheddar or a blend of cheeses.
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Don’t boil after adding cheese — it may separate.
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Add a spoonful of ketchup or mustard to the bowl for a fun cheeseburger twist!
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Leftovers will thicken — add a splash of broth when reheating.
Make It a Weekly Go-To
Because it is fast, flavorful, and easy to customize, many home cooks choose to make this soup regularly. It simplifies meal planning, especially on nights when you want hearty food but do not want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Meal prep tip:
Prepare extra bacon and shredded cheese ahead for quick additions throughout the week.
Serve a bowl of this soup after a busy day, and relaxation and comfort are guaranteed.
Final Thoughts on Easy Cheeseburger Soup
Easy Cheeseburger Soup combines the very best qualities of comfort food into a single pot: heartiness, creaminess, cheesy goodness, and familiar flavors everyone enjoys. This recipe brings restaurant-style enjoyment right to your home, with minimal effort and cooking time.
No matter the occasion, this Easy Cheeseburger Soup is the kind of meal that fills both the stomach and the heart. It will quickly become a requested dinner favorite that your family looks forward to every time. You can personalize it as much as you like and enjoy endless variations, making it not only delicious but also versatile.
If you have been searching for a dish that guarantees satisfaction and applause from your dinner table, this is the one. Make it once and you will understand why it remains one of the most beloved cozy soup recipes.