Cheeseburger Soup: Delicious Comfort Food!

Hey there, my mom tribe! Vivien here, ready to tackle the age-old question: “What’s for dinner?” Let’s face it, some days the 5 PM panic hits hard, and the thought of another Pinterest-fail meal is enough to make you hide in the pantry with a bag of chips. (No judgment – I’ve been there!) But what if I told you that you could have a crowd-pleasing, belly-warming dinner on the table in under an hour with minimal effort? Enter: Cheeseburger Soup.

This Cheeseburger Soup isn’t just any recipe. It’s a lifesaver. It’s the answer to those hectic weeknights when you’re juggling school pickups, soccer practice, and a mountain of laundry. It’s comfort food at its finest, and the best part? The kids actually love it. I know, I know – a miracle, right? Think of all the possibilities! Leftovers for lunch, meal prep Sunday…

This Cheeseburger Soup recipe is one I stumbled upon years ago when my oldest was going through a particularly picky phase. I needed something that would sneak in some veggies and satisfy his craving for… well, anything resembling a burger. It was a total win! Now, it’s a staple in our house, and I’m so excited to share it with you. Come on, my fellow kitchen warriors, let’s make some magic happen with this amazing Cheeseburger Soup!

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

Here’s the lowdown on what you need to whip up this Cheeseburger Soup. Don’t worry, it’s a short list because mama doesn’t have time for fancy!

• 1 pound ground beef: Because, well, it’s Cheeseburger Soup!
• 1 medium onion, chopped: Adds a nice flavor base.
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced: Sneaking in those veggies!
• 2 celery stalks, diced: More veggies for the win.
• 4 cups beef broth: Feel free to use low-sodium.
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained: Adds some acidity and flavor.
• 1 teaspoon dried mustard: Trust me on this one! It adds a subtle tang.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a smoky depth to the soup.
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Because everything is better with garlic!
• Salt and pepper to taste: Don’t be shy!
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese: The star of the show for cheddar cheese soup goodness!
• 1 cup milk: Makes it creamy and dreamy.
• Optional toppings: Cooked bacon crumbles, sour cream, green onions, chopped pickles.

No worries if you don’t have dried mustard. I sometimes use a tablespoon of yellow mustard, or even a dash of Dijon mustard in my Cheeseburger Soup. You can grab all of this at Walmart while doing your regular grocery run, and this Cheeseburger Soup doesn’t have to break the bank! I often buy ground beef in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze it in 1-pound portions.

I always prep my veggies ahead of time when I have a spare moment. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery and store them in a container in the fridge. That way, when the 5 PM panic hits, you’re already halfway there! This is a great mom hack!

Storage wisdom: Leftover Cheeseburger Soup will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. My family loves when I add extra cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles!

Let’s Make it Happen!

Alright, kitchen warriors, let’s dive into making this easy cheeseburger soup. Don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way.

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease. Here’s a tip: I like to use a meat chopper to break up the beef into small pieces.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. This is a great time to crank up some music and have a little dance party in the kitchen!
3. Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, dried mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. This is the perfect time to fold that laundry pile… or, you know, scroll through Instagram for a few minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s completely melted. Your cheddar cheese soup should smell amazing by now. Take a deep breath and enjoy!
5. Stir in the milk. If you want a creamier creamy cheeseburger soup, you can add a little more milk or even a splash of heavy cream.
6. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra salt, pepper, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
7. Serve hot with your favorite toppings. Perfect time to cut up the toppings and set them out!

In my chaotic kitchen, this Cheeseburger Soup usually takes about 30-40 minutes from start to finish. Here’s where I used to mess up my Cheeseburger Soup: I’d add the cheese while the soup was still on the heat, and it would get all clumpy. Don’t make my mistake! Remember to remove the pot from the heat before adding the cheddar cheese.

While your Cheeseburger Soup is doing its thing, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee! This ground beef soup is so easy, even the busiest mom can handle it. Don’t panic if your Cheeseburger Soup looks a little thin at first. It will thicken up as it sits.

How We Love to Eat This!

Okay, so you’ve made this amazing Cheeseburger Soup. Now what? Here’s how my family loves to devour it:

• Toppings galore: We love a topping bar! Cooked bacon crumbles, sour cream, green onions, chopped pickles, shredded lettuce, and even a dollop of ketchup and mustard.
• Kid-approved side dishes: Grilled cheese sandwiches, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, or a simple side salad. The kids devour this Cheeseburger Soup when I serve it with a side of soft pretzel bites!
• Perfect occasions: This Cheeseburger Soup is perfect for those crazy weeknight dinners, potlucks, or even a cozy weekend lunch.
• Presentation: Honestly, I usually just ladle it into bowls and let everyone add their own toppings. But if you’re feeling fancy, you can garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and a sprig of parsley.
• Leftovers: If you have any leftover Cheeseburger Soup (which is rare in my house!), you can use it as a topping for baked potatoes or even as a filling for stuffed bell peppers.
• Seasonal variations: In the fall, I sometimes add a can of drained and rinsed corn for a little extra sweetness. In the winter, I might add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little warmth.

This Cheeseburger Soup reminds me of another family favorite, my Spicy Black Bean Soup. If your kids love this, they’ll go crazy for that one, too! And for more sanity-saving dinner ideas, check out my Butternut Squash Soup recipe on my website!

My friends always ask for this Cheeseburger Soup at get-togethers. It’s one of those dishes that just makes everyone happy. This recipe for bacon cheeseburger soup can be made in a slow cooker, using the recipe from Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup – Life In The Lofthouse for reference.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

I know you probably have some questions about this Cheeseburger Soup, so I’m here to answer them!

• Can my picky eater handle this Cheeseburger Soup? This Cheeseburger Soup is surprisingly picky-eater-friendly! The flavors are familiar and comforting. You can always start with a small portion and let them add their favorite toppings. Plus, the diced veggies are pretty small and easy to hide!
• What if I burn my Cheeseburger Soup? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!) Been there, done that! If you burn the bottom of the pot, immediately transfer the soup to a clean pot, being careful not to scrape the burnt bits from the bottom. You might lose a little bit of flavor, but it’s better than serving burnt soup!
• Can I make this Cheeseburger Soup ahead for meal prep? Absolutely! This Cheeseburger Soup is a great meal prep option. Just make it according to the recipe, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Can I freeze this soup? While you can freeze it, the texture of the cheese and milk may change slightly. It might become a little grainy when thawed. If you do freeze it, let it thaw completely in the fridge before reheating.
• What if I don’t have cheddar cheese? You can use any cheese you like! Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a mix of cheeses would work well.
• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef? Yes, you can! Ground turkey or even ground chicken would be a healthy alternative.
• Is this soup gluten-free? Yes, this Cheeseburger Soup is naturally gluten-free! Just make sure to check the labels on your beef broth and diced tomatoes to ensure they are gluten-free.

This ground beef soup is very flexible. If you don’t want to dice up all the veggies yourself, buy a pre-made mirepoix mix at the store. You can also use the recipe at Bacon Cheeseburger Soup – Spend With Pennies to make a bacon cheeseburger variation for extra flavor and umami! And for a bacon cheeseburger soup recipe that can be made in a crockpot, check out the post from my favorite Facebook group at Bacon cheeseburger soup in a crockpot.

My family loves this cheddar cheese soup, and I know yours will too!

Final Thoughts:

This Cheeseburger Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a symbol of survival in the beautiful chaos of family life. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to be a gourmet chef to put a delicious and satisfying meal on the table.

My Cheeseburger Soup Mom Hacks:

• Pre-chop those veggies! Seriously, it saves so much time.
• Double the recipe! Freeze half for a future sanity-saving meal.
• Let everyone customize their toppings! It’s a guaranteed way to get everyone to eat their dinner.

Family-Tested Cheeseburger Soup Variations:

• Spicy Cheeseburger Soup: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
• Bacon Cheeseburger Soup: Add cooked bacon crumbles to the soup and as a topping. My husband loves this version!
• Pizza Cheeseburger Soup: Add pepperoni and mozzarella cheese for a pizza-inspired twist. My kids go crazy for this one!

I hope this Cheeseburger Soup recipe brings a little bit of joy and ease to your dinner routine. Remember, you’ve got this! This is a creamy cheeseburger soup that can be tweaked and adjusted to fit your tastes. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Now go forth, my fellow kitchen warriors, and conquer that 5 PM panic! I have a feeling this easy cheeseburger soup will become a new family favorite.

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