Hearty & Easy Cheeseburger Soup: Your New Favorite Comfort Food Recipe
Cheeseburger Soup – Your favorite summer time sandwich in a warm and comforting soup. Top with bacon, cheese and your other favorite burger toppings for a delicious dinner!
When the crisp air rolls in and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup to bring warmth and comfort to your home. While many classic soups come to mind, how about transforming a beloved summertime staple into an incredibly cozy, satisfying meal? Our Cheeseburger Soup takes all the irresistible flavors of a juicy, cheesy burger and reimagines them in a rich, creamy, and utterly delicious soup form. It’s the perfect answer for chilly evenings when you’re craving something hearty and familiar, yet excitingly different.
Soup holds a special place in our hearts as the ultimate comfort food. Whether it’s a quick weeknight solution, like our lightning-fast Wonton Soup, or a dish that simmers for hours, filling your kitchen with enticing aromas, like a rich Slow Cooker Chili, soups have a unique way of making everyone feel good. This cheeseburger rendition promises to join your rotation of family favorites, offering a unique blend of savory beef, tangy condiments, and gooey cheese in every spoonful.
And what’s a comforting bowl of soup without some delicious bread for dipping? It’s often half the reason we crave soup in the first place! For a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, serve this soup with homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuits – their garlicky, cheesy goodness is a perfect match. If you prefer something more traditional, these incredibly soft and fluffy Soft Breadsticks are an absolute delight for soaking up every last bit of that creamy, flavorful broth. No matter your choice, dipping fresh bread into this cheeseburger soup is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cheeseburger Soup
Crafting this incredible cheeseburger soup requires a combination of pantry staples and fresh ingredients, all working together to deliver that unmistakable burger flavor. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the familiar taste profile that appeals to nearly everyone. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to gather to bring this comforting dish to life:
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is preferred to minimize grease, but any ground beef works, just be sure to drain the fat.
- Onion & Garlic: The aromatic foundation of many great soups, providing depth of flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A key ingredient that adds a fantastic umami punch, enhancing the “meaty” flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the liquid base of our soup, adding savory notes.
- Tomato Sauce: Contributes a rich, slightly tangy tomato flavor, mimicking burger condiments.
- All-Purpose Flour & Milk: These combine to create a smooth, creamy texture, thickening the soup beautifully.
- Cheddar Cheese: The star of the show! Grated cheddar melts wonderfully, adding classic cheeseburger richness.
- Ketchup & Mustard: These are crucial for that authentic, tangy “burger” taste. Don’t skip them!
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance all the flavors.
With these ingredients, you’re all set to transform the beloved flavors of your favorite summer Cheeseburger into a warm, inviting, and truly comforting winter soup. It’s a genius way to enjoy those classic flavors in a whole new, cozy format!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cheeseburger Soup
Making this cheeseburger soup is surprisingly straightforward, and the process is incredibly rewarding as the flavors build into a harmonious, savory masterpiece. Follow these simple steps to create a hearty and delicious meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. The key is to build the layers of flavor properly, ensuring each component contributes to the overall “cheeseburger” experience.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Begin by browning your ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Use a spoon or spatula to break the meat apart into crumbles. Once the beef starts to brown, add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent, and the beef is fully cooked through. This step is crucial for developing the savory base of the soup. After cooking, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot to keep your soup from being oily.
- Build the Broth Base: With the beef and aromatics ready, stir in the Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth, and tomato sauce. These liquids will form the flavorful base of your soup. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld together and the flavors to deepen. This simmering helps to extract all the delicious notes from the beef and seasonings.
- Thicken the Soup to Perfection: In a separate liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the milk and all-purpose flour until absolutely smooth, with no lumps remaining. This flour and milk mixture acts as a thickening agent, creating the luxurious, creamy consistency that makes this soup so comforting. Slowly pour this mixture into the simmering soup, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until the soup begins to visibly thicken to your desired consistency.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Now for the “cheeseburger” part! Gradually add the grated cheddar cheese to the soup, about 1/2 cup at a time. Stir well after each addition until the cheese is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the soup. Adding it gradually helps the cheese melt evenly and prevents it from clumping.
- Season and Simmer: Once all the cheese has been added and melted, stir in the ketchup, mustard, salt, and black pepper. These condiments are vital for achieving that classic cheeseburger taste profile. Give everything a good stir, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup gently simmer for about 10 minutes. This final simmer allows all the flavors to fully meld and develop into a cohesive, delicious dish.
- Serve Hot with Toppings: Ladle the hot cheeseburger soup into bowls. The best part? Topping it with your favorite burger garnishes! Get creative and make each bowl a personalized burger experience.
The Best Toppings for Your Cheeseburger Soup
Just like a traditional cheeseburger, this soup truly shines with the right toppings. They don’t just add visual appeal; they enhance the flavor and texture, making each spoonful feel like a bite of your favorite burger. While you can certainly get creative, here are some of our absolute favorite garnishes that perfectly complement the rich and savory notes of the soup:
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: An extra sprinkle of freshly grated cheddar cheese on top never hurts! It melts slightly into the hot soup, adding another layer of creamy, cheesy goodness.
- Diced Avocado: For a fresh, creamy contrast, diced avocado adds a lovely texture and a subtle, rich flavor that balances the savory soup.
- Crispy Croutons: Toasted croutons provide a delightful crunch, mimicking the texture of a burger bun. You can even use small, toasted brioche or regular hamburger bun pieces for an extra authentic touch.
- Diced Onions: A sprinkling of finely diced red or white onions offers a sharp, fresh bite that cuts through the richness of the soup, just like on a classic burger.
- Crumbled Bacon: Crispy, salty bacon bits are a must-have! They add a smoky, savory depth and an irresistible crunch that takes this soup over the top. Consider using regular bacon or turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- Pickle Relish or Diced Pickles: For a tangy kick that perfectly mimics the taste of pickles on a burger, a small dollop of pickle relish or finely diced dill pickles can be a game-changer.
- A Drizzle of Ketchup or Mustard: A tiny swirl of extra ketchup or mustard right before serving can highlight those key burger flavors.
- Fresh Herbs: A pinch of fresh parsley or chives can add a pop of color and a subtle herbaceous note.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match these or add your own unique twist! The goal is to make each bowl a personalized cheeseburger experience.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup
While Cheeseburger Soup is incredibly satisfying on its own, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your meal to a complete and balanced dining experience. Here are some fantastic ideas that complement the rich flavors of the soup beautifully, offering a variety of textures and freshness:
- Simple Tossed Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup. It adds a welcome freshness and helps cut through the richness.
- Garlic Bread: What’s better than dipping warm, buttery, garlicky bread into a creamy soup? Garlic bread is a classic pairing that’s always a hit and perfect for soaking up every last bit of flavor.
- Fruit Skewers: For a touch of natural sweetness and a light, vibrant side, fruit skewers offer a healthy and refreshing option, especially if you want to lighten the meal slightly.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: If you’re looking for a more substantial vegetable side, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and balsamic glaze can be a surprisingly delicious accompaniment, adding a touch of sophisticated flavor.
- Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw can offer a cool, tangy crunch that complements the savory soup, much like it would a traditional burger.
- French Fries or Onion Rings: For the ultimate burger-joint experience, a small side of crispy French fries or golden onion rings can be a fun and indulgent addition.
No matter what you choose, this cheeseburger soup is sure to be a new family favorite. It’s an innovative take on classic flavors that truly delivers on comfort and taste. You might even find yourself doubling the batch to freeze for later, ensuring you always have a comforting meal ready to go!
More Comforting Soup Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting embrace of this Cheeseburger Soup, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of warm, delicious soups waiting to be discovered. Soups are fantastic for their versatility, often offering a complete meal in one pot, and are perfect for any occasion – from quick weeknight dinners to leisurely weekend feasts. Here are some more of our favorite comfort Soup Recipes that we think you’ll adore, each bringing its own unique flavors and textures to the table:
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup: A rich and hearty soup packed with tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a velvety broth – pure indulgence.
- Avgolemono Soup: A classic Greek lemon-egg soup that’s bright, tangy, and incredibly soothing, often made with chicken and rice.
- Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup: A wholesome and satisfying soup, made quickly in the Instant Pot, featuring chicken, wild rice, and creamy vegetables.
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup: All the beloved flavors of a chicken pot pie, but in a comforting, spoonable soup form, often topped with biscuits or pastry.
- Beer Cheese Soup: A decadent and flavorful soup, perfect for cheese and beer lovers, often served with soft pretzels or crusty bread.
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup: A wonderfully creamy and hearty soup featuring tender chicken, soft gnocchi dumplings, and spinach, often reminiscent of a popular restaurant chain’s version.
- Instant Pot Pozole: A vibrant and flavorful Mexican stew, loaded with tender pork or chicken, hominy, and a rich chili-based broth, made easier with the Instant Pot.
Each of these recipes offers a unique comfort and flavor profile, making them perfect additions to your culinary repertoire. Don’t hesitate to dive in and discover your next favorite bowl of warmth!
Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients
Soup
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 14 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- cheddar cheese
- crisp bacon
- diced onions
- diced avocado
- croutons
Instructions
- In a large stock pot cook the ground beef over medium high heat, breaking apart. After it begins to brown add onions, and garlic. Cook until the meat is cooked through, and the onions are soft. Drain any fat from the pan.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and chicken broth. Bring the soup to a simmer.
- In a liquid measuring cup whisk together milk and flour until smooth. Slowly stir into the simmering soup. Cook until the soup starts to thicken slightly.
- Add the cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup at time, stirring after each addition.
- Once the cheese is all added stir in the mustard, ketchup, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve with desired garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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