Imagine all the savory, cheesy goodness of a classic cheeseburger transformed into a rich, velvety soup. This Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food, delivering a hearty and flavorful meal with minimal effort. Using your slow cooker, this recipe practically makes itself, simmering to perfection while you go about your day. It’s a family-favorite dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy broth that will have everyone asking for a second bowl. Get ready to discover your new go-to weeknight meal!
This set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for busy days, game day gatherings, or cozy winter nights. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a soup that’s both deeply satisfying and incredibly easy to make.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Incredibly Easy: The slow cooker does most of the work! Just brown the beef, toss everything in, and let it simmer.
Rich and Creamy: A combination of Velveeta and sharp cheddar creates an irresistibly smooth and cheesy texture that’s pure comfort.
Hearty and Filling: Packed with ground beef, potatoes, and veggies, this soup is a complete meal in one bowl.
Family-Friendly Flavor: It has all the familiar tastes of a cheeseburger, making it a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup tastes even better the next day, and it freezes wonderfully for future meals.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Cheeseburger Soup
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature cheeseburger flavor. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich, layered taste of the final dish.
For the Soup Base
Lean Ground Beef: The star of the show. We use lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to minimize grease.
Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational flavor of the soup.
Potatoes: Russet potatoes work best as they break down slightly, helping to thicken the soup.
Carrots & Celery: Finely diced carrots and celery add a subtle sweetness and depth.
Beef Broth: Use a good quality low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of the final dish.
Seasonings: A simple blend of dried basil, dried parsley, salt, and pepper is all you need.
For the Cheesy Finish
Velveeta Cheese: This is the secret to an ultra-creamy, smooth soup that never gets grainy.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds a tangy, authentic cheeseburger flavor that complements the Velveeta.
Heavy Cream: A splash at the end enriches the soup, giving it a luxurious finish.
The magic happens when the cheese melts into a velvety, smooth broth.
How to Make Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Step-by-Step
Making this delicious slow cooker cheeseburger soup is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is no longer pink. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain off any excess grease.
Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the beef mixture to the crockpot. Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, beef broth, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine.
Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
Add the Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cubed Velveeta cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and heavy cream.
Melt and Serve: Cover and continue to cook until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is hot and creamy. Stir well, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your favorite cheeseburger toppings!
Want to elevate your Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips to ensure you get the creamiest, most flavorful result.
Don’t Skip Browning the Beef: Browning the beef and onions first develops a deep, savory flavor that you won’t get by putting raw meat in the slow cooker.
Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can make the soup gritty. For the smoothest texture, buy a block of sharp cheddar and shred it yourself.
Cut Veggies Uniformly: Cut your potatoes and other vegetables into small, uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly and become perfectly tender.
Low and Slow is Best: While you can cook this on high, the flavors meld together much better when cooked on a low setting for a longer period.
Simple ingredients combine to create the most flavorful cheeseburger soup.
Delicious Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also easy to customize. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup: Add 6-8 slices of crispy, crumbled bacon at the end of cooking for a salty, smoky crunch.
Spicy Cheeseburger Soup: For a little kick, add a diced jalapeño with the onions or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the crockpot.
Healthier Option: Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. For a creamy finish without heavy cream, use evaporated milk. If you’re looking for more healthy options, our ground turkey sweet potato bake is a great choice.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms. Sauté them with the onions for the best flavor.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup
This soup is a meal in itself, but a great side can make it even better. Serve it with warm 30-minute dinner rolls for dipping, a crisp side salad, or crunchy croutons. For the full cheeseburger experience, top each bowl with classic garnishes like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, and a drizzle of ketchup or mustard.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even tastier the next day.
Freezing: Due to the dairy content, creamy soups can sometimes separate when frozen. If you plan to freeze it, it’s best to do so before adding the cheese and heavy cream. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the soup base, reheat it on the stovetop, and then stir in the cheese and cream until melted.
Reheating: Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from scorching. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
This soup thickens naturally as the potatoes cook and release their starches. The melted Velveeta and cheddar cheese also act as thickeners. If you still prefer it thicker, you can make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stirring it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Yes, you can substitute Velveeta with 8 ounces of cream cheese. Add it at the end with the shredded cheddar for a creamy texture. While it will still be delicious, Velveeta provides a unique meltability that is hard to replicate, so the final texture might be slightly different.
Treat it like a burger! Top your soup with crumbled bacon, croutons, diced pickles, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, or a drizzle of your favorite burger sauce. Extra shredded cheese is always a great option too.
You can store leftover Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often meld and taste even better the next day.
It is not recommended to freeze the finished soup, as dairy-based soups can separate and become grainy upon reheating. For best results, freeze the soup base before adding the cheese and heavy cream. When ready to serve, thaw the base, reheat it, and then stir in the dairy ingredients until melted.
More Hearty Winter Recipes to Try
If you loved this cheeseburger soup, you’ll enjoy our collection of hearty winter recipes to keep you warm all season long. From stews to casseroles, we have something for every comfort food craving.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a bowl of pure comfort. It’s the perfect, easy-to-make meal for any occasion that will leave everyone feeling warm, happy, and satisfied. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your creations and save the recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Nothing beats a warm bowl of creamy cheeseburger soup on a chilly day!
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
FL Recipes
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup (The Ultimate Creamy Recipe)
This Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food, delivering a hearty and flavorful meal with minimal effort. It combines seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy broth that will have everyone asking for seconds.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Drain any excess grease.
Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the cubed potatoes, carrots, celery, beef broth, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
Stir in the cubed Velveeta, shredded cheddar cheese, and heavy cream.
Cover and cook for another 30 minutes on LOW, or until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is creamy. Stir well before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 25gFat: 30gFiber: 3g
Notes
For the creamiest soup, shred your own cheddar cheese. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve with toppings like crumbled bacon, diced pickles, or croutons.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
