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This Award Winning Cheeseburger Soup brings together everything we love about cheeseburgers in a warm cozy bowl. The combination of tender ground beef fresh vegetables and rich cheese sauce creates pure comfort food magic. Every time I make this soup it reminds me why it's earned so many blue ribbons at our county fair.
Pure Comfort in a Bowl
What makes this soup special is how it transforms a classic cheeseburger into something completely new and wonderful. The creamy broth loaded with vegetables and beef has converted even my pickiest eaters into soup lovers. It's become my most requested recipe especially during cold winter months.
Your Shopping List
- 1 pound lean ground beef: Choose 90/10 for best flavor without excess grease.
- 1 medium onion: Finely chopped adds sweetness to base.
- 2 cups carrots: Freshly shredded gives best texture.
- 2 stalks celery: Diced small for perfect bites.
- 1 tablespoon dried basil: Adds wonderful herb flavor.
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley: For color and taste.
- 4 tablespoons butter: Divided between vegetables and roux.
- 4 cups chicken broth: Low sodium lets you control salt.
- 4 cups potatoes: Peeled and diced uniform size.
- 1/4 cup flour: For thickening our soup.
- 2 cups Velveeta cheese: Cut in small cubes melts smoothly.
- 1 1/2 cups milk: Whole milk makes it extra creamy.
- 1/2 cup sour cream: Adds rich tangy finish.
- Salt and pepper: Season to taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start with the Beef
- Brown ground beef in large soup pot over medium heat breaking into small pieces. Drain excess fat transfer meat to bowl.
- Cook Your Vegetables
- In same pot melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add onions carrots celery basil and parsley. Cook until vegetables soften about 10 minutes.
- Build Your Soup Base
- Return beef to pot add chicken broth and potatoes. Bring to boil then reduce heat simmer 10-12 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Make Your Roux
- Meanwhile melt remaining butter in small pan stir in flour cook 3-5 minutes until bubbly. Add to soup stir well cook 2 minutes to thicken.
- Finish with Cheese
- Add Velveeta milk salt and pepper. Stir until cheese melts completely. Remove from heat blend in sour cream just before serving.
Recipe Success Tips
Use lean beef to avoid greasy soup. Choose russet potatoes they hold shape better while cooking. While Velveeta makes perfectly smooth soup regular cheddar works too. Try cream cheese instead of sour cream for extra richness.
Make It Your Own
Switch up the meat with ground turkey or Italian sausage. Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. Spice things up with pepper jack cheese or red pepper flakes. Change the broth type to match your taste preferences.
Finishing Touches
Top each bowl with crispy bacon fresh chopped onions or dill pickles. Add homemade croutons or crushed potato chips for crunch. These little extras make each serving special and really bring out the cheeseburger flavors.
Storage Tips
Keep leftover soup in covered container in fridge up to 4 days. Add splash of broth when reheating if too thick. For freezing skip potatoes they get mushy when thawed. Frozen soup stays good one month just remove extra air from storage bags.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why cook flour and butter separately?
This creates a roux that thickens the soup properly without lumps. Cooking it separately ensures the flour taste is cooked out before adding to the soup.
- → Can I use regular cheddar instead of Velveeta?
Yes, but Velveeta melts smoother and prevents the soup from becoming grainy. If using cheddar, add it gradually and keep heat low to prevent separation.
- → Why add sour cream last?
Adding sour cream off heat prevents it from curdling and keeps the creamy texture. It also helps cool the soup to serving temperature while adding richness.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Yes, but reheat gently to prevent cheese from separating. You might need to add a splash of milk when reheating to restore the creamy texture.
- → Why drain the beef but keep the pan?
Draining removes excess fat while keeping the flavorful browned bits in the pan. These bits add depth to the vegetables and final soup.
Conclusion
This award-winning soup transforms the classic cheeseburger into a creamy, hearty soup. Combining ground beef with vegetables and potatoes in a rich cheese broth creates the perfect comfort food.