How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cheeseburger Soup, originally from Taste of Home, is a rich and creamy, cheesy soup with a Velveeta base and a mildly spicy kick. This soup is a huge hit and makes enough for a crowd.

How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (1)Pin

Once a month, we get together with our good friends and eat spend the day enjoying each others' company. It's always a long, laughter-filled day of eating.

This month, my friend Linda (who, as you may have noticed, gives me most of my best recipes), made Cheeseburger Soup.

In my brain, cheeseburger soup was full of ketchup and mustard and laden with pickles. It was a broth-based soup, and it was not at all pleasing in my brain.

Where did all that nonsense come from? It makes no sense, because who would want to eat a brothy soup with ketchup and mustard in it?

Nonetheless, I was hungry, and I asked if I could try some of the cheeseburger soup.

I was wowed with the very first bite. The smell was even amazing. That first bite was cheesy and creamy and spicy and out of this world good.

The soup turned out more like a spicy potato soup than what I would consider a cheeseburger soup. It's so very good.

Even Grace liked it. She ate my entire first bowl, allowing me only two little bites.

The soup is filling, though, and that one bowl was enough for her. I was able to enjoy my second bowl in relative peace.

I can also report that this soup reheats nicely as I ate the leftovers on Monday night.

Note (2017) - We have made this soup at least monthly since the time I posted the recipe in 2009. It's one of our most favorites. Joe takes it to every soup and recipe contest, and he almost always wins becauseeveryone loves this creamy soup.

Linda served her soup with fresh bread. The bread was splendid dipped into the soup. When we make it at home, we skip the bread and serve it with carrot sticks or a small salad to increase the healthy factor (marginally, but every little bit counts, right?).

How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (2)Pin

What you'll need to make Taste of Home Cheeseburger Soup

Equipment

No special equipment is needed for this recipe beyond standard kitchen tools. You'll use a vegetable peeler, sharp knife, 3-quart saucepan, and a small skillet.

Ingredients

How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (3)

See printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for all measurements.

  • Ground beef - The original Taste of Home recipe calls for a half pound of ground beef, but when I make this recipe, I double it and use one pound of 93% lean ground beef. It makes the soup heartier and healthier.
  • Chopped onion - I think the onion lends a wonderful sweetness to the soup.
  • Shredded carrots- I don't know what carrots have to do with cheeseburgers, but I love them in this soup. They get soft, but they keep their shape and bite.
  • Diced celery- I personally hate celery and cut it so small that it disappears into the soup, but it adds to the flavor, so I don't leave it out.
  • Dried basil
  • Dried parsley flakes
  • Garlic - This is not in the original Taste of Home recipe, but it adds a spicy note to the soup which is magnificent.
  • Butter- You can use salted or unsalted. It won't matter.
  • Low sodium chicken broth - This is what makes the liquid in your soup. I suppose you could try low sodium beef broth; I never have, but it would probably taste good.
  • Dicedpeeled potatoes- This is about 1-¾ pounds. The potatoes bulk up the soup and give it a nice bite beyond just the ground beef.
  • All-purpose flour- This helps to thicken the broth. You can use gluten-free flour or wheat flour.
  • Pepper jack Velveeta, cut into cubes - This may be labeled as Mexican Velveeta Cheese. I have only ever used this exact cheese in my cheeseburger soup, but there are literally hundreds of comments on Pinterest where home cooks have used shredded cheddar, shredded pepper jack, shredded Monterey jack, and regular Velveeta, and every single person has said their soup came out awesome. So I don't think the exact type of cheese is all that important. What is important is the amount of cheese. Remember that the 12 ounces is a weight, and is not the same as a cup and half of shredded cheese.
  • Milk - This adds to the broth to make the liquid in the soup. You can use dairy or non-dairy milk, but make sure not to use a flavored milk like vanilla. Use the plain unflavored milk.
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt - This works with the cheese to make the soup rich and creamy.

How to make this cheeseburger soup recipe

Instructions

  1. In a 6-quart saucepan or large dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat; remove cooked beef from pan, drain, and set aside.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (4)Pin
  2. In the same saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley flakes in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (5)Pin
  3. Press garlic into pot, and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (6)Pin
  4. Add broth, potatoes, and beef to the vegetables in the pot; bring to a boil.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (7)Pin How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (8)Pin
  5. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (9)Pin
  6. Meanwhile, make a roux in a small skillet by melting remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (10)Pin How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (11)Pin
  7. Add roux to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (12)Pin
  8. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (13)Pin How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (14)Pin How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (15)Pin
  9. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream.
    How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (16)Pin
  10. Serve immediately.

Can you make cheeseburger soup in a Crockpot or slow cooker?

You sure can! Head over here for Crockpot cheeseburger soup instructions.

Can you make cheeseburger soup in an Instant Pot or electronic pressure cooker?

You sure can! Head over here for Instant Pot cheeseburger soup instructions.

How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (17)

Tips for the best cheeseburger soup

Get the leanest ground beef you can. I buy 90% or 93% lean, depending on the store I'm shopping at (they don't all carry 93%). Make sure you drain the grease off after you brown it.

My favorite potatoes are Yukon golds, and they hold up pretty well in the soup. If you're worried about them getting mushy, you could use Russets instead, as those are a bit more firm. I would not recommend red potatoes in this recipe.

Velveeta makes all the difference. Velveeta makes this soup thick and creamy. As I have said above, it is possible to use shredded cheese, and the soup will still taste great, but it will have a thinner, runnier consistency.

Sour cream makes the soup creamy and rich. If you don't have any, Greek yogurt will work in a pinch. Or, try a few tablespoons of cream cheese which will also thicken and add cream to the soup.

Make sure you remove the soup from the heat before adding the sour cream. If you don't, the sour cream may curdle. You wouldn't have this problem with cream cheese.

Cheeseburger soup variations

It's hard for me to imagine this soup being any better than it is - it is already superlative!!! - but there are some adjustments that people have tried and discussed on Pinterest.

  • Vegetarian cheeseburger soup - Believe it or not, it's easy to make vegetarian cheeseburger soup! All you have to do is use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth and TVP or veggie crumbles in place of the beef. Easy!
  • Keto cheeseburger soup - This soup is easy to make low carb! Simply replace the potatoes with an equal amount of chopped cauliflower. It will still be delicious!
  • Add crumbled bacon when you add the cooked ground beef into the soup.
  • Change the meat. You could substitute a different meat for the ground beef. Try ground turkey, Italian sausage, ground pork, or even ground chicken.
  • Change the cheese. As I mentioned above in the ingredients section, I have only ever used pepper jack or Mexican Velveeta in my cheeseburger soup, but you could try shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, shredded Monterey jack cheese, some combination of the three, or regular Velveeta. As long as you use the right amount (12 ounces by weight), I think the soup will be great.
  • Add vegetables. Some Pinterest commenters have added mushrooms, bell peppers, or canned tomatoes.
  • Use beef broth. The original Taste of Home recipe called for chicken broth, and I'm not really sure why because beef broth would probably taste better. I'm going to try beef myself the next time I make it.
How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (18)Pin

Garnish your cheeseburger soup!

Add toppings to your soup just before serving. There are some suggestions below, and it would be awesome to try one or a combination.

  • Crumbled bacon
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded pepper jack
  • Sliced green onions
  • Diced red onion
  • Chives
  • Dill pickles or dill pickle relish
  • Croutons - try bun croutons by dicing a hamburger roll, spritzing it with some butter-flavored cooking spray, and toasting the cubes in the oven at 375ºF for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, turning once or twice during cooking.
How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (19)

Storing cheeseburger soup

Cheeseburger soup reheats beautifully. Once it's totally cool, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. When you want to eat it, you may need to thin it with a tiny bit of broth.

To freeze, let the soup cool to room temperature and then spoon it into zippered freezer bags. It will keep up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to heating in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Potato-based soups get a little weird after freezing and then thawing, so be aware of that. I do freeze it though if I've made too much. I deal with mushy potatoes than rather than throwing out spoiled soup.

More easy soup recipes

Check out these other delicious soups, stews, and chowders while you're here:

  • Cheesy Vegetable Soup
  • Slow Cooker Potato Chowder
  • Crockpot Corn Chowder
  • How to Make Hot and Sour Soup
  • Crockpot Beef Stew
  • Black Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Soup

This cheeseburger soup is the best soup you will ever eat, bar none. It is cheesy and hearty and thick and rich. Your whole family will love it!

Recipe

Cheeseburger Soup from Taste of Home

Cheeseburger Soup, originally from Taste of Home, is a rich and creamy, cheesy soup with a Velveeta base and a mildly spicy kick. This soup is a huge hit and makes enough for a crowd.

4.70 from 760 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Main Dish, Soup

Servings 8 servings

Calories 352 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef over medium-high heat; drain and set aside.

  • In the same saucepan over medium heat, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Press garlic into pot, and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.

  • Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

  • Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.

  • Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 1319mg | Potassium: 861mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2715IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 309mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!

How to make the best Taste of Home cheeseburger soup recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes homemade soup taste better? ›

7 Easy Ways to Make Any Soup Better
  1. Brown or Sear the Meat. ...
  2. Roast the the Veggies. ...
  3. Mix up the Texture. ...
  4. Use Homemade Stock Whenever Possible. ...
  5. Put Your Cheese Rinds to Work. ...
  6. Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples. ...
  7. Add Fresh Herbs or Dairy When Serving.

What can I add to my soup to make it more flavorful? ›

You can also go with more heat and spices. "Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says. As a general rule, use fresh herbs at or near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices early on.

How do I make my soup taste more beef? ›

I usually use diced leftover roast beef and any au jus or gravy, which makes a nice beefy flavor. Mirepoix, tomato paste, and garlic sauteed together are good aromatics for the initial soup base. Beef Better than Boullion provides a decent broth.

What is cheeseburger soup made of? ›

This soup has beef and cheese in it along with onions, celery, and potatoes. It can be on the dinner table in about 45 minutes—very doable on a weeknight.

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

Use homemade stock. Roast the bones before making the stock for deeper flavor. Brown, roast, or toast everything - the meats should be browned, the veg roasted, the spices toasted. This brings out natural flavors and enhances them.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

Why is my beef soup bland? ›

The best way to ensure a flavorful soup is to brown the beef and onions in the beginning. If the soup tastes bland at the end of cooking, add more spices and herbs. After adding, allow the soup to cook a little longer so the flavors to meld together. Can I substitute the vegetables?

What can I add to beef broth to make it taste better? ›

🌶️ For an extra kick in the flavor department, consider tossing in spices for bone broth like ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, crushed red pepper flakes, curry powder, coriander, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, and more!

What enhances the flavor of beef? ›

Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.

Do you drain hamburger meat for soup? ›

Throw the hamburger, onion, celery, and garlic in a large pot…. Then brown it over medium-high heat until the meat is totally cooked! Now, this step is important: Remove the pot from the heat and drain off as much fat as humanly possible.

What is cheese soup made of? ›

Milk and/or broth such as chicken broth or stock are used to form the liquid basis for cheese soup. Additional ingredients can include half and half, beer, bread crumbs, butter, eggs, onion, onion juice, garlic, vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and celery, spices and seasonings.

What are the 5 basic principles to be followed in making delicious soup? ›

  • Answer:Basic principles and steps in preparing soup Choose the type of meat - anything that can match the soup's base such as chicken, beef, fish or vegetables. ...
  • Ingredients to Add at the End. ...
  • Cut All Ingredients to the Same Size. ...
  • Take the Time to Brown Your Ingredients. ...
  • Use Less Liquid. ...
Apr 21, 2021

What other ingredients can be added to give taste to the soup? ›

I added MSG, seasoned salt, black pepper , garlic and onion powder and some dried parsley. That should be a good way to give any soup the additional kick your looking for.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

How to make vegetable broth more flavorful? ›

Just warm up the broth, toss in some parsley, cilantro, tarragon, sage, thyme, or a combination, and let the broth steep like tea for several minutes before fishing the herbs out. Don't boil fresh herbs in broth, though, or they could make the stock bitter.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 5803

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.