Description
This hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Cheeseburger Soup takes all the delicious flavors of a classic burger seasoned beef, sharp cheddar, and tender veggies and transforms them into a warm, spoonable meal. A true “set it and forget it” dinner, it features a velvety, thick broth loaded with chunks of potato and ground beef. It is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food, perfect for dipping crusty bread on a chilly evening.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1-inch pieces)
- 12 ounces frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- 10.5 ounce can cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces Velveeta, cut into cubes (optional but recommended)
- Optional toppings: Chopped green onions, bacon bits, shredded cheddar, pickles
Instructions
Brown the Beef and Onions
Add the ground beef and the diced small sweet onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the beef into crumbles and cook until there is no pink left and the onion has softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan to prevent an oily soup.
Add Garlic
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir it in until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (Note: If using jarred garlic, you can skip this step and add it directly to the slow cooker).
Transfer to Slow Cooker
Add the cooked beef and onion mixture to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add Soup Base
Add the low sodium chicken broth, the peeled and diced russet potatoes, the frozen peas and carrots, the can of condensed cheddar cheese soup, and the black pepper. Stir everything well to ensure the condensed soup dissolves into the broth.
Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. Alternatively, you can cook on high for 4-5 hours if you are short on time.
Add Creaminess
An hour before serving, stir in the heavy cream and the cubes of Velveeta. Cover the pot again and allow the Velveeta to melt slowly.
Serve
Stir the soup until uniform and creamy. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Drain the Grease: It is crucial to drain the fat after browning the beef. If you skip this, the grease will float to the top of the slow cooker during the long cooking process, resulting in an oily surface.
Velveeta for Texture: While optional, processed cheese like Velveeta is the secret to achieving a super smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that doesn’t separate or become grainy like standard cheddar might in a slow cooker.
Dice Uniformly: Cut your potatoes into consistent 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly alongside the other ingredients without turning into mush.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: slow cooker cheeseburger soup, crockpot burger soup, creamy potato soup, ground beef soup recipes, easy winter dinner, family favorite meals