Loaded Hamburger Soup: Quick & Delicious!

 

Ever have one of those days where the 5 PM panic sets in, and you’re staring blankly into the fridge, wondering what on earth you’re going to feed your hungry crew? I’ve been there more times than I can count! That’s how my journey with Loaded Hamburger Soup started. My oldest, bless her heart, declared she was “SO over” everything I usually made.

I needed something quick, easy, and something even the pickiest eaters would devour. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of turning our beloved cheeseburgers into a soup! Honestly, it sounded crazy, but it was a total game-changer in our house. Now, my family begs for Loaded Hamburger Soup and I get to feel like a kitchen rockstar!

Trust me, if I can whip up this Loaded Hamburger Soup amidst the beautiful chaos of kids, school projects, and mountains of laundry, you absolutely can too! Let’s dive in!

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

Here’s what you’ll need to create this family-favorite Loaded Hamburger Soup. Don’t worry, the ingredient list is short and sweet – because mama doesn’t have time for fancy!

• 1 pound ground beef: This is the heart of our Loaded Hamburger Soup!
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped: Adds a savory base to the soup.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Because garlic makes everything better.
• 4 cups beef broth: You can also use chicken broth in a pinch.
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained: Adds some acidity and flavor.
• 1 cup milk: Makes it creamy!
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: This is the secret to the creamy texture.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Season to taste.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: A must-have for flavor.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Because it wouldn’t be Loaded Hamburger Soup without cheese!
• Optional toppings: Cooked bacon crumbles, green onions, sour cream

Mom Hack Alert! I usually grab the ground beef and cheddar cheese at Costco, since we go through so much of it. This Loaded Hamburger Soup doesn’t have to break the bank! You can also use frozen chopped onions to save on prep time (I won’t tell!).

If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, you can use sour cream or Greek yogurt. The taste will be slightly different, but still delicious. I have to say, my family loves when I add extra cheese and bacon crumbles to their individual bowls. It makes it feel extra special!

Leftovers of this ground beef soup recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats beautifully on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Let’s Make it Happen!

Alright, kitchen warriors, let’s get this Loaded Hamburger Soup cooking! Follow these easy steps and get ready for some happy faces around the dinner table.

1. Brown the beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. This is where the delicious flavor starts!
2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Your kitchen should smell amazing already.
3. Add the liquids: Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir well to combine everything. This is going to be the base of our comforting ground beef soup recipe.
4. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Perfect time to fold that laundry pile!
5. Make it creamy: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the milk and softened cream cheese until the cream cheese is completely melted and the soup is smooth and creamy. Don’t panic if your Loaded Hamburger Soup looks a little curdled at first – just keep stirring, it will come together!
6. Cheese it up!: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the soup is cheesy and gooey. This is what makes it taste like a cheeseburger!
7. Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust as needed. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
8. Serve and enjoy!: Ladle the Loaded Hamburger Soup into bowls and top with your favorite cheeseburger toppings, such as cooked bacon crumbles, green onions, and sour cream. I also throw on some pickle relish sometimes.

In my chaotic kitchen, this Loaded Hamburger Soup usually takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Here’s where I used to mess up my ground beef soup recipe – I wouldn’t drain the grease properly, which made the soup way too oily. Learn from my mistakes!

While your Loaded Hamburger Soup is simmering, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee, or maybe even a glass of wine! You deserve it, Mama!

How We Love to Eat This!

This Loaded Hamburger Soup is a family favorite for so many reasons! It’s comforting, delicious, and incredibly versatile. Here’s how we love to enjoy it in our house:

The kids devour this Loaded Hamburger Soup when I serve it with some crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping. It makes for a super satisfying meal! I love topping mine with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped green onions.

This easy hamburger soup is perfect for those crazy weeknight dinners when you’re short on time and energy. It’s also a great option for potlucks or casual get-togethers. My friends always rave about it!

For a fun twist, try adding different veggies to your Loaded Hamburger Soup. Corn, peas, carrots, or even some chopped potatoes would be delicious! During the summer, I sometimes throw in some fresh garden tomatoes.

Leftovers? No problem! This Loaded Hamburger Soup is just as good the next day. Serve it with a side salad for a quick and easy lunch. My husband loves taking it to work. This Loaded Hamburger Soup reminds me of another family favorite, my Spicy Black Bean Soup!

For presentation, I like to sprinkle some extra cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles on top of each bowl. It makes it look extra appealing! You can also serve it in bread bowls for a fun and festive touch.

During the fall, I love making a big batch of this creamy hamburger soup and serving it with some warm apple cider. It’s the perfect comforting meal for a chilly evening.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Got questions about making this delicious Loaded Hamburger Soup? I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common questions I get from my mom tribe:

• Can my picky eater handle this Loaded Hamburger Soup? Absolutely! The flavors are familiar and comforting, like a cheeseburger in soup form. Start with a small portion and let them add their own toppings. My kids love it!
• What if I burn my Loaded Hamburger Soup? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!) Don’t panic! If it’s just a little bit burned on the bottom, carefully pour the soup into a clean pot, leaving the burned bits behind. You can also try adding a splash of milk or cream to mask the burnt flavor. I’ve been there!
• Can I make this Loaded Hamburger Soup ahead for meal prep? Yes! This soup is perfect for meal prepping. Just make it according to the instructions and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.
• Is this Loaded Hamburger Soup gluten-free? It can be! Just make sure to use gluten-free beef broth and gluten-free toppings. Most cheddar cheese is naturally gluten-free.
• Can I freeze this Loaded Hamburger Soup? Yes, but the texture of the cream cheese might change slightly after freezing. I recommend freezing it in individual portions for easy thawing.
• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef? Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef in this recipe. It will be a little lighter in flavor.
• What if I don’t have cream cheese? No problem! You can use sour cream, Greek yogurt, or even a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup as a substitute. The taste will be slightly different, but still delicious! You can try this Keto Cheeseburger Soup (Thick & Creamy!) – Keto Cooking Wins recipe, as well

My family loves when I add a little bit of hot sauce to my bowl of Loaded Hamburger Soup. It adds a nice kick! I’ve also heard from readers that adding a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans is a great way to add some extra protein and fiber to this ground beef soup recipe.

For more sanity-saving dinner ideas, check out my Homemade Garlic Soup!

Final Thoughts:

This Loaded Hamburger Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a symbol of our family’s love for simple, comforting meals that bring us together. It’s a hug in a bowl after a long day.

My Loaded Hamburger Soup Mom Hacks:

1. Prep ahead: Chop the onions and garlic in advance to save time during the week.
2. Use pre-shredded cheese: Another time-saver!
3. Don’t skip the toppings: They add so much flavor and texture!

Here are a few family-tested Loaded Hamburger Soup variations:

• Keto Loaded Hamburger Soup: Use a keto-friendly sweetener instead of sugar and skip the milk. Check out this Keto Cheeseburger Soup Recipe (with Bacon!) – The Best Keto … for inspiration!
• Spicy Loaded Hamburger Soup: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
• Vegetarian Loaded Hamburger Soup: Use plant-based ground beef and vegetable broth.

My daughter loves the classic Loaded Hamburger Soup with bacon and cheese, while my son prefers it with a little bit of hot sauce. My husband is a fan of the keto version.

I hope you and your family love this Loaded Hamburger Soup as much as we do. Don’t be afraid to make it your own and experiment with different toppings and variations. Remember, the most important ingredient is love!

So, go ahead, kitchen warrior! Give this easy hamburger soup a try. You might be surprised at how much your family loves it. And who knows, it might just become a new family favorite! I know that finding something my kids would all agree to eat was like striking gold, so I hope you find the same joy!

 

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