How can I thicken cheeseburger soup?

This soup is thickened with a roux, a combination of butter and flour. Note that the soup will continue to thicken as it cools. If you do need to adjust the consistency, you can mix in a cornstarch slurry before serving.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken for cheeseburger soup?

Feel free to substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, but note the flavor may vary.

What types of cheese can I use for cheeseburger soup?

Cheddar is a classic choice for this soup, but you can also substitute with Monterey Jack, American, or any other cheeses you prefer.

Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Name: Cheeseburger Soup
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound (85/15) lean ground beef; 1.75 cups finely chopped yellow onion (from 1 large onion); .75 cup finely chopped celery (from 3 medium stalks); 2 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tbsp.); 6 cups chicken broth; 1 pound baby red new potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces; 3 tablespoons salted butter; .25 cup all-purpose flour; 8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups); 1.5 cups whole milk; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt; .5 teaspoon black pepper; Sesame Seed Bun Croutons; Chopped tomatoes; Chopped dill pickle chips

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

This cheeseburger soup is proof a kid-friendly, fun, and oh-so-easy dinner doesn't have to take all day. In fact, we think cheeseburger soup is going to become a weeknight staple at your house.

"Leave the grill off when you crave a cheeseburger in cold months, and whip up this soup!" said one Test Kitchen Professional. This silky-smooth soup has all the flavor you love from your favorite cheeseburger recipe, and it couldn't be simpler to make. Sesame seed bun croutons are the perfect topping, especially when paired with chopped tomatoes and Southern-favorite dill pickle chips.

Ground beef has always been a weeknight favorite because it's crowd-pleasing and affordable, and this cheeseburger soup recipe gives us one more reason to love it. Warm up on a chilly winter night with your favorite flavors from the summer cookout and make your kids' new favorite soup recipe.

Learn how to make cheeseburger soup, and impress your family in about 30 minutes with their new favorite dinner.

What Does Cheeseburger Soup Taste Like?

Cheeseburger soup is a hearty, comforting dish that captures all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger. The savory ground beef, seasoned with onions, celery, and garlic is balanced with the starchiness of cooked potatoes, the richness of salted butter, and sharp Cheddar cheese. Mustard adds a mild tanginess, with tomatoes and pickles adding a fresh, acidic touch. Whole milk gives the soup its creamy finish, and sesame seed bun croutons add a familiar touch to bring the dish home. Overall, it's a kid-friendly soup that's just as comforting for adults.

Ingredients for Cheeseburger Soup

To make this cheeseburger soup, you'll need all the standard ingredients for a classic cheeseburger, with a few extra additions:

Olive oil: To add richness and help brown the ground beef and vegetables.
Lean ground beef: For a hearty, classic cheeseburger flavor.
Yellow onion and celery: An aromatic base for the soup.
Garlic cloves: Adds depth of flavor.
Chicken broth: Base liquid for the broth. Can substitute with beef broth if preferred.
Baby red new potatoes: Adds a comforting, starchy element to the soup.
Salted butter: Adds richness and a velvety texture.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the soup.
Sharp Cheddar cheese: For a cheesy, indulgent touch.
Whole milk: Adds creaminess to the soup.
Dijon mustard: For a tangy, slightly spicy flavor.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Enhances the flavor of the soup.
Sesame seed bun croutons: Adds a crunchy texture and classic cheeseburger touch.
Tomatoes: For a fresh garnish.
Dill pickle chips: Tangy, crunchy garnish that evokes a traditional cheeseburger flavor.

How To Make Cheeseburger Soup

This hearty dinner comes together with just 15 minutes of hands-on time for a quick, satisfying, and unique weeknight meal. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Cook ground beef: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven. Add ground beef, and cook, stirring, until meat crumbles. Stir in onion, celery, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until beef is cooked through. Drain and return to Dutch oven.
Step 2. Add broth and potatoes: Stir in chicken broth and potatoes, and bring to boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low until potatoes are tender.
Step 3. Make flour mixture: Melt butter in a nonstick skillet. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking, until lightly browned.
Step 4. Add flour mixture to beef: Stir flour mixture into beef mixture and bring to a boil. Simmer over low, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Step 5. Add cheese and seasonings: Stir in cheese, milk, Dijon, salt, and pepper until cheese melts. Serve with croutons, tomatoes, and pickles.

Can I Make Cheeseburger Soup Ahead?

As with most soups, cheeseburger soup can be made and refrigerated ahead, giving the flavors a chance to meld and deepen. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, then reheat, adjusting the consistency as needed with broth or milk. Garnish fresh before serving.

Can I freeze cheeseburger soup?

Freeze this soup (in small portions for easy thawing) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat on the stovetop until hot throughout before serving. Adjust the consistency if needed with broth or milk, and garnish fresh before serving. You can also heat up small portions in the microwave.

What Other Toppings Can I Add To Cheeseburger Soup?

Dive into the cheeseburger theme by surrounding this soup with a bevy of topping options. Crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, ripe avocado, sour cream, sautéed mushrooms, shredded cheese, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce or any favorite cheeseburger toppings are a great way to get everyone excited and interacting.

What To Serve with Cheeseburger Soup

This soup covers all the bases for a hearty one-pot meal, but you can also pair with a side salad, coleslaw, onion rings, or any favorite veggie sides for an even more complete meal.

More Family-Friendly Soup Recipes You'll Love

These soups aren't just delicious for the whole family, they're also easy to whip up on busy days:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. (85/15) lean ground beef
1 3/4 cups finely chopped yellow onion (from 1 large onion)
3/4 cup finely chopped celery (from 3 medium stalks)
2 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tbsp.)
6 cups chicken broth
1 lb. baby red new potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
3 Tbsp. salted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Sesame Seed Bun Croutons (recipe below)
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped dill pickle chips

Directions

Cook ground beef:

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add ground beef, and cook, stirring often, until meat crumbles, about 3 minutes. Stir in onion, celery, and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes. Drain mixture well, and return to Dutch oven.
Add broth and potatoes:

Stir in chicken broth and potatoes, and bring to boil over medium-high. Cover, reduce to medium-low, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Make flour mixture:

Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until flour is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
Add flour mixture to beef:

Stir flour mixture into beef mixture; bring to a boil over medium. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 6 minutes.
Add cheese and seasonings:

Stir in cheese, milk, Dijon, salt, and pepper; stir until cheese melts, about 1 minute. Serve soup topped with Sesame Seed Bun Croutons, chopped tomatoes, and chopped pickles.

Sesame Seed Bun Croutons

2 sesame seed hamburger buns, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss together bun pieces, oil, and salt. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake in preheated oven until crispy and lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I thicken cheeseburger soup?

This soup is thickened with a roux, a combination of butter and flour. Note that the soup will continue to thicken as it cools. If you do need to adjust the consistency, you can mix in a cornstarch slurry before serving.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken for cheeseburger soup?

Feel free to substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, but note the flavor may vary.
What types of cheese can I use for cheeseburger soup?

Cheddar is a classic choice for this soup, but you can also substitute with Monterey Jack, American, or any other cheeses you prefer.