Cheeseburger Soup: A Comfort Food Recipe

Introduction

Cheeseburger Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that captures all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a creamy, warming bowl. Perfect for chilly days, this soup combines savory ground beef, rich cheese, and a tomato base for a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
• Hamburger buns, for serving (optional)
• Burger toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc.), for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Crumble the ground beef into the pot and cook while breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Step 4: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, and beef broth until well combined.
5. Step 5: Add oregano, basil, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Stir everything together.
6. Step 6: Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour for a richer flavor.
7. Step 7: Stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and creamy throughout the soup.
8. Step 8: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
9. Step 9: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with hamburger buns and your favorite burger toppings if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra creaminess, add a splash of half-and-half or cream along with the cheese.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper or add a few dashes of hot sauce.
• Serve with croutons or toasted bread for added texture.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

How thick is this soup? Should it be more like a stew or a broth?

Cheeseburger Soup is thicker than a broth-based soup but not as thick as a stew. The melted cheeses give it a creamy, smooth texture that coats each spoonful nicely.

Cheeseburger Soup: A Comfort Food Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 126 reviews

Cheeseburger Soup is a hearty and comforting recipe that combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with a rich, creamy tomato-based soup. This one-pot meal features ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, and aromatic seasonings, perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Garnish and Serving

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
• Hamburger buns, for serving (optional)
• Burger toppings of your choice (lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc.), for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil and cook onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Add garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant to deepen the flavor.
3. Brown the ground beef: Crumble the ground beef into the pot. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through. Drain off any excess grease to keep the soup from being too oily.
4. Add tomato ingredients and broth: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, and beef broth until well combined.
5. Season the soup: Add dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all the seasonings.
6. Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. You can simmer up to 1 hour for richer flavor.
7. Incorporate the cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and the soup becomes creamy.
8. Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper or other seasonings as needed for your preference.
9. Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with hamburger buns and optional burger toppings such as lettuce, tomato, and pickles for a full cheeseburger experience.

Notes

• You can omit the cayenne pepper if you prefer a milder soup.
• For a richer soup, simmering it longer helps develop deeper flavors.
• Drain excess fat after browning the beef to reduce greasiness.
• Use fresh shredded cheese for best melting and flavor.
• This soup pairs well with toasted hamburger buns or crusty bread.

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, comfort food, ground beef soup, creamy tomato soup, easy soup recipe