This Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for those cold football days when you just want something rich, filling and indulgent. The mini cheeseburger croutons that take this creamy and cheesy soup recipe to the next level. This is definitely a cheat meal, but one that’s worth every bite. Think of the soup as a cheeseburger in a bowl, with all the savory, creamy and cheesy goodness you could ever want.
Why You Should Make This Cheeseburger Soup
- Rich, Comforting Flavor: This soup brings all the classic cheeseburger flavors into a hearty bowl, combining ground beef, bacon, and creamy Velveeta cheese for a deliciously rich dish.
- Perfect for Football Weather: As the temperature drops, this warm, cheesy soup is perfect to enjoy while watching the game or just relaxing at home.
- Loaded with Toppings: Not only is the soup itself packed with flavor, but the mini cheeseburger croutons add a fun and tasty topping, making it extra special.
- Easy to Make: While it sounds fancy, this creamy hearty cheeseburger soup comes together easily with everyday ingredients, and you can make it even quicker with prepped veggies.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Bacon: Pancetta or turkey bacon can be used as substitutes.
- Ground beef: Easily replace with a leaner option, or substitute with ground sausage.
- Velveeta cheese: Use cheddar or American cheese for a slightly different flavor.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Swap with Colby Jack or mozzarella for a creamier finish.
- Chicken stock: Use vegetable stock or beef broth for a deeper flavor.
- Yukon gold potatoes: Russet potatoes can be used if Yukon gold is unavailable.
- Heavy whipping cream: Half-and-half or evaporated milk will work in a pinch.
- Fresh parsley: Substitute with dried parsley or fresh cilantro for a different herbaceous note.
- Other Toppings: Crispy bacon bits, diced pickles, sour cream, green onions, hot sauce, fried onions, and/or avocado slices would make for great toppings for this creamy hearty cheeseburger soup.
How to Make Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup
- Render the diced bacon in a large soup pot. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the ground beef to the pot with the bacon grease. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Break apart the beef as it browns.
- Once the beef is browned, drain all but 1/4 cup of the fat from the pot.
- Add the minced onions, celery, carrots, and diced potatoes to the pot.
- Season with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Stir to coat the vegetables in the fat, and cook for 3-4 minutes to soften.
- Add back the reserved bacon.
- Sprinkle in the flour, stirring well. Let the flour cook for a few minutes to remove the raw taste.
- Pour in the chicken stock, then add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a near boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the soup cook until the potatoes are just tender, and not mushy.
- Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Stir in the heavy cream, letting it heat through for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the Velveeta cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and fresh parsley.
- Serve the soup topped with shredded cheese, fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and mini cheeseburger croutons.
How to Make Mini Cheeseburger Croutons
- While the soup is simmering, form the mini ground beef patties for the croutons. Cook them in a separate pan.
- Cut circles out of the bread slices. Brush with olive oil and press sesame seeds onto the bread. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. If you do not have an air fryer, place on a sheet pan under the broiler for a few mintues.
- Top the mini burgers with American cheese, then sandwich between the crispy bread rounds.
How to Serve and Store Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup
- Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast, a light green salad, or pickles on the side for a refreshing contrast.
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
More Creamy Hearty Soup Recipes to Love
- Easy Creamy Meatball Soup
- Creamy Sausage Potato Soup
- Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
- Homemade Creamy Mushroom Soup
- Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Hearty Cheeseburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for days when you want something rich, filling and indulgent.
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound bacon, diced
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 celery stalk, minced
- 1 carrot, minced
- 1/2 white or yellow onion, minced
- 3 small Yukon gold potatoes, tiny diced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 12 ounces Velveeta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
For the mini cheeseburger croutons:
- 1/3 pound ground beef
- 1–2 slices American cheese
- 3 slices bread
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Render the diced bacon in a large soup pot. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the ground beef to the pot with the bacon grease. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Break apart the beef as it browns.
- Once the beef is browned, drain all but 1/4 cup of the fat from the pot.
- Add the minced onions, celery, carrots and diced potatoes to the pot. Season with the remaining salt and black pepper.
- Stir to coat the vegetables in the fat. Cook for 3-4 minutes to soften.
- Add back the reserved bacon.
- Sprinkle in the flour, stirring well. Let the flour cook for a few minutes to remove the raw taste.
- Pour in the chicken stock, then add the bay leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a near boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the soup cook until the potatoes are just tender, not mushy.
- While the soup is simmering, form the mini ground beef patties for the croutons. Cook them in a separate pan.
- Cut circles out of the bread slices. Brush with olive oil and press sesame seeds onto the bread. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Top the mini burgers with American cheese, then sandwich between the crispy bread rounds.
- Secure by placing a toothpick or mini skewer down the center of each mini burger.
- To finish the cheeseburger soup, remove the bay leaves. Stir in the heavy cream, letting it heat through for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the Velveeta cheese (just a little at a time), stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and fresh parsley.
- Serve the soup topped with shredded cheese, fresh parsley, cracked black pepper and mini cheeseburger croutons.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for flavor, but drain excess grease for a balanced soup.
- Mince the vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and a better texture.
- Dice the potatoes as tiny as you can. Peel, if desired.
- Add cheese gradually, stirring in the Velveeta cheese in small amounts to avoid clumping.
- Simmer the soup instead of boiling to prevent overcooking the potatoes.
- Prep the mini burgers in advance to save time while the soup simmers.
- Use a heartier bread for the mini cheeseburgers.
- Adjust seasoning after simmering to ensure the right balance of salt and pepper.
- Garnish right before serving to keep the toppings fresh and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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