Cheeseburger Soup: Cozy, Creamy Favorite for Chilly Nights

There’s something incredibly comforting about a creamy, cheesy bowl that tastes just like your favorite burger — that’s why this Cheeseburger Soup Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites for chilly evenings. It’s hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to pull together after a busy day.

A close-up view of a black bowl filled with thick creamy soup containing visible chunks of ground meat, small pieces of carrots, and celery. The soup has a pale yellow color with a smooth, rich texture, topped with a generous layer of shredded bright orange cheese that slightly melts into the soup. A silver spoon inside the bowl holds a scoop of the chunky soup, showing the mix of vegetables and meat clearly. The bowl rests on a white marbled surface with a slice of bread blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Let me tell you, this Cheeseburger Soup Recipe really hits the spot in ways a classic cheeseburger does — only in soup form. It’s that cozy, all-in-one meal that feels like a warm hug, perfect to enjoy with family or friends anytime you want something satisfying and simple.

Rich and Creamy: The Velveeta or cheddar cheese melts into the soup creating a decadent, velvety texture that’s absolutely irresistible.
Loaded with Veggies: Carrots, celery, and onions add fresh flavor and a nice balance to the meaty broth.
Easy to Make: With simple pantry staples and minimal prep, you can have this bubbling on your stove in less than an hour.
Customizable Comfort: You can adjust spices and cheese types easily to match your taste or dietary needs.

The image shows a thick, creamy soup with a light yellow color, filled with chunks of potatoes, small pieces of cooked ground meat, slices of green vegetables, and tiny orange bits that look like carrots. The soup has a smooth, slightly textured surface with visible bits of black pepper and herbs sprinkled throughout. It is inside a large, round white pot with some soup residue on the inner sides. A silver ladle is lifting a scoop of the soup, showing its thick consistency and mixed ingredients closely. The pot is sitting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that meld perfectly to mimic that classic cheeseburger flavor in a soup. Each component plays a key role, and I always recommend grabbing fresh veggies and quality cheese for the best results.

Flat lay of a mound of raw ground beef, a small pile of diced onions, a small pile of shredded carrots, a small pile of diced celery, a few sprigs of dried basil and parsley flakes, a few tablespoons of butter sticks, several peeled and diced potatoes arranged neatly, a small heap of all-purpose flour, a bowl of cubed processed cheese, a glass of milk, a small bowl of sour cream, salt and pepper sprinkled artistically, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ground beef: The star protein that gives the soup its meaty base and authentic burger taste.
Chopped onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed with butter.
Shredded carrots: Bring subtle sweetness and texture contrast to the soup.
Diced celery: Offers a fresh, mild crunch that balances the richness.
Dried basil & parsley flakes: These herbs introduce a gentle earthiness and brighten the flavor.
Butter: Used for sautéing and in the roux to achieve that luscious creamy body.
Chicken broth: A flavorful liquid base that complements the ground beef well.
Peeled and diced potatoes: Classic comfort food element that thickens and fills out the soup.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the soup once cooked into a roux with butter.
Velveeta or shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully for creamy cheesiness, creating that signature burger melt.
Milk: Adds creaminess while keeping everything smooth.
Salt & pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance all flavors.
Sour cream: Stirred in at the end to add tang and richness without overpowering.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Cheeseburger Soup Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or mood I’m in. You can easily swap cheeses or throw in extras like bacon or fresh herbs. It’s all about making it your own cozy masterpiece.

Variation: Finally added crispy bacon bits on top one day, and it took the soup to the next level — smoky, salty, and absolutely delicious.
Vegetarian twist: I sometimes use plant-based ground crumbles and vegetable broth, and it still feels just as satisfying.
Spicy kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or some diced jalapeños gives it a surprising but welcomed heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef

First, I brown the ground beef in a medium saucepan over medium heat. This is my base flavor, so I take my time to get it nicely browned but not overcooked. Once it's cooked through, I drain any excess fat and set the beef aside to keep things from getting greasy in the soup.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

In that same pan, I melt 1 tablespoon of butter and toss in the diced onion, shredded carrots, celery, dried basil, and parsley flakes. I cook them gently until everything softens—this brings out the natural sweetness and builds a rich, layered flavor foundation.

Step 3: Simmer the Potatoes and Broth

Next, add the chicken broth, diced potatoes, and the previously browned beef back into the pan. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover it, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender but still hold their shape.

Step 4: Make the Roux

I melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet, then stir in the flour. Cooking this mixture for 3-5 minutes until it's bubbly helps cook out that raw flour taste. Then I whisk the roux into the simmering soup, bringing it back to a boil. This thickens the soup perfectly.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish

The final step is stirring in the Velveeta or cheddar cheese cubes, milk, salt, and pepper. I keep stirring gently over low heat until the cheese melts smoothly. Once off the heat, I fold in sour cream for that tangy finish that takes this soup from good to unforgettable.

Top Tip

From many pots of cheeseburger soup over the years, I've learned a few things to help you get that perfect creamy texture and deep flavor.

Don’t skip draining the beef: It prevents greasy soup and keeps the flavors clean and balanced.
Low and slow for veggies: Take your time sautéing onions and carrots — this amps up the natural sweetness which complements the savory beef.
Roux magic: Make sure to cook the butter-flour mixture until bubbly to avoid any floury taste in the final soup.
Cheese choice matters: Velveeta melts smoother while cheddar offers more bite — I like to experiment depending on how rich I want the soup.

How to Serve Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for simple, tasty garnishes — a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, a few crunchy crumbled bacon bits, and some chopped green onions or chives bring fresh pops of flavor and texture I adore.

Side Dishes

Crispy garlic bread or buttery dinner rolls are my go-to sides here, perfect for dunking. Sometimes, a fresh, light salad balances out the richness beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this soup in hollowed-out bread bowls and topped it with an extra sprinkle of shredded cheese and fresh herbs. It makes cozy dinners feel extra homey and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. When cooled fully before refrigerating, the flavors deepen while keeping the soup creamy and fresh.

Freezing

This soup freezes well if you plan ahead—just be sure to leave out the sour cream when freezing. I add that fresh when reheating to keep the texture silky and avoid curdling.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring often. Adding a splash of milk during reheating helps refresh the creaminess if it’s gotten a bit thick in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this soup without Velveeta cheese?

Yes! You can substitute Velveeta with shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a more classic cheese flavor. Just watch the melting process carefully as some cheeses can clump if overheated.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely. The soup freezes well, but it’s best to add sour cream after reheating as freezing can affect the texture of dairy ingredients.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great leaner alternative and will still give a nice flavor to the soup. Just brown it thoroughly and adjust seasoning to taste.

How thick should Cheeseburger Soup be?

This soup should be creamy and fairly thick but still spoonable—thick enough to coat the spoon but not like gravy. Adjust thickness by the amount of flour and milk you add during cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s the kind of meal that feels like a celebration of simple ingredients done right. Every spoonful brings me back to cozy nights with family, and I’m excited for you to give it a try and make it your own. Trust me, once you taste this, it might just become your new comfort food obsession!

Cheeseburger Soup Recipe