Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup is a rich, creamy comfort-food dinner filled with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, vegetables, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. It has all those familiar cheeseburger flavors transformed into a warm, hearty bowl of soup.
The slow cooker makes this especially convenient for busy days. Once the beef is browned and the vegetables are added, everything can slowly cook until the potatoes are perfectly tender.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This soup has everything that makes a cheeseburger comforting—savory beef and plenty of cheese—but turns those flavors into a cozy slow cooker meal.
Potatoes make every bowl especially filling, while carrots, celery, and onion add classic homemade soup flavor. Once they’ve spent several hours slowly cooking together, the broth develops plenty of savory depth.
It’s also easy to adjust. Make it extra cheesy, add bacon for a bacon-cheeseburger version, or keep the basic recipe simple and let everyone customize their bowl.
Cheddar and cream go in toward the end, creating a smooth, cheesy broth without spending hours over high heat. The result is thick and satisfying while still being easy enough for an everyday family dinner.
Serve it straight from the crockpot with warm rolls, biscuits, or toasted bread nearby. It’s substantial enough that you really don’t need much else.
FAQ
Do I Need To Brown The Ground Beef First?
Yes. Browning improves the flavor and texture while allowing you to drain away excess grease before adding the beef to the slow cooker.
What Potatoes Work Best?
Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape nicely and have a naturally creamy texture. Russets also work well and release more starch, which can make the soup slightly thicker.
Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheddar?
You can, but freshly shredded cheddar generally melts more smoothly because packaged shredded cheese often contains anti-caking ingredients.
Why Did My Cheese Become Grainy?
Very high temperatures can cause cheddar to separate. Add the cheese toward the end and stir it into the hot soup over gentle heat.
How Can I Make The Soup Thicker?
Mash a few tender potato pieces directly into the broth or allow the finished soup to cook a little longer after adding the cream mixture.
Can I Make Cheeseburger Soup Ahead?
Yes. It reheats well, although the potatoes will continue thickening the broth during storage.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
You’ll need familiar soup ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
- Yellow onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Chicken or beef broth
- Cheddar cheese
- Heavy cream
- Unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
Black pepper
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER CHEESEBURGER SOUP
Step 1: Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until completely browned, breaking the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.
Step 2: Drain the excess grease thoroughly and transfer the cooked beef to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 3: Add the diced potatoes, onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4: Pour the broth over everything and gently stir to distribute the ingredients.
Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes and vegetables are completely tender.
Step 6: About 30 minutes before serving, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute.
Step 7: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Continue cooking for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes smooth and begins to thicken.
Step 8: Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker and gently stir it into the soup.
Step 9: Add the shredded cheddar gradually, stirring until the cheese is completely melted into the hot broth.
Step 10: Cover and cook for another 20–30 minutes on LOW, until the soup is hot, creamy, and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
