I absolutely love making Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup! It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for chilly days. The creamy texture, the savory ground beef, the gooey melted cheese, and the subtle hint of spices all come together beautifully in this comforting soup.

I enjoy adding some diced potatoes, carrots, and onions for extra bite and nutrients. Plus, the best part is that it’s so easy to prepare – just dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it simmer away for a few hours. It’s a family favorite in my household, and I always look forward to enjoying a warm bowl of this delicious soup.

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

• 1 pound of lean ground beef
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 cups of diced potatoes
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of ketchup
• 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnishes: shredded cheese, diced pickles, fresh herbs

Instructions for Making Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble.
3. In the crockpot, add the cooked ground beef, crumbled bacon, onion, garlic, potatoes, chicken broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot.
6. Cook for an additional 30 minutes on high, or until the soup has thickened.
7. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve the soup hot with your desired garnishes.

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

Understand Your Ingredients: The key to a great Cheeseburger Soup lies in the quality and preparation of its ingredients. Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat, and consider the type of potatoes you use. Russet potatoes are ideal for their starchy content, which helps thicken the soup.

Browning the Beef: Properly browning the ground beef is crucial. This process adds depth and complexity to the flavor of the soup. Ensure the beef is well-browned and any excess grease is drained off to avoid an oily texture.

Cheese Matters: The type of cheddar cheese you choose can significantly affect the flavor and texture of the soup. A sharp cheddar cheese will give a more intense flavor, while a mild cheddar will be more subtle. Consider grating your cheese from a block rather than buying pre-shredded cheese, as it melts better and doesn’t contain anti-caking agents.

Cream Cheese: The cream cheese should be added towards the end of the cooking process to prevent it from curdling. Cutting it into smaller pieces ensures it melts evenly throughout the soup, giving it a smooth and creamy texture.

Seasoning: Don’t underestimate the power of seasoning. The right amount of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning can elevate the soup from good to great. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Vegetable Prep: Dice the potatoes, onions, and carrots uniformly to ensure they cook evenly. Over or undercooked vegetables can detract from the overall texture of the soup.

Slow Cooking: The beauty of this recipe lies in its slow cooking process. Cooking on low heat allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Resist the urge to rush the cooking process by setting the crockpot on high.

Serving Suggestions

Bread Pairings: Serve this hearty soup with a side of crusty bread, garlic bread, or cheese sticks. These are perfect for dipping and add a satisfying crunch.

Salad: A light, crisp salad can balance the richness of the cheeseburger soup. Consider a simple green salad or a Caesar salad for a refreshing side.

Toppings Bar: Create a toppings bar for your guests or family to customize their soup. Include chopped onions, pickles, crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and sour cream. This not only adds a fun element to the meal but allows everyone to tailor their soup to their liking.

Beverage Pairings: Pair the soup with a beverage that can cut through its richness. A light beer, iced tea, or a crisp white wine can complement the flavors of the soup well.

Storage Tips

Cooling Down: Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before storing it. This prevents condensation inside the container, which can make the soup watery.

Refrigeration: Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors often enhance over time, making the leftovers even more delicious.

Freezing: Cheeseburger soup can be frozen, but it’s important to note that the texture of the potatoes and cream cheese may change slightly upon thawing. Freeze in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.

Reheating: When reheating, do so gently over low heat on the stove, adding a little beef broth if the soup has thickened too much in storage. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. If microwaving, do so in short intervals, stirring in between to distribute the heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by substituting the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely. While cheddar cheese is recommended for its flavor, you can experiment with other types of cheese such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a blend of your favorites.

What if I don’t have a crockpot? If you don’t have a crockpot, you can make this soup on the stove. Follow the same steps but simmer the soup over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.

How can I thicken the soup if it’s too thin? If your soup is too thin, you can thicken it by making a cornstarch slurry (mix equal parts cornstarch and water) and stirring it into the soup. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.

Can I add other vegetables? Yes, feel free to add other vegetables such as celery, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the soup. Just keep in mind that adding more vegetables may require adjusting the amount of broth and seasoning.

Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

This delicious and hearty Crockpot Cheeseburger soup is packed with all the flavors of a juicy cheeseburger, slow-cooked to perfection.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound of lean ground beef
• 6 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 3 cups of diced potatoes
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of ketchup
• 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnishes: shredded cheese diced pickles, fresh herbs

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain and set aside.
• In the same skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble.
• In the crockpot, add the cooked ground beef, crumbled bacon, onion, garlic, potatoes, chicken broth, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot.
• Cook for an additional 30 minutes on high, or until the soup has thickened.
• Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the soup hot with your desired garnishes.