• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide

Loading

 

About
Free Resources
Contact

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Thriving Home

Food & Lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Sides & Salads
      • Soups & Chilis
      • Appetizers
      • Snacks
      • Desserts
      • Baked Goods
      • Beverages
      • Condiments
    • Method
      • Freezer Meals
      • Stovetop
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Grill or Smoker
      • 6 Ingredients or Less
      • Air Fryer
    • Diet
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Vegetarian
    • Ingredients
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
    • Holiday
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • All Recipes
  • Freezer Cooking
    • Start Here
    • Freezer Meal Recipes
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Cookbooks
  • Menu Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
    • Our Recipe Ebooks & Digital Products
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Shop Our Favorites
    • Gift Guides
Home Recipe Index Freezer Meals Freezer Beef

Cheeseburger Soup

5 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 10/14/24Updated: 2/24/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This comforting, hearty, veggie-forward Cheeseburger Soup makes even the coldest winter nights warm and cozy. Serve for an easy weeknight meal or at your next group gathering. 

Cheeseburger soup in a dutch oven pan with small bowls of chopped green onions, and bacon next to it. this …


 
Table of Contents
  • About This Recipe
  • Cooking Tip: Mise En Place
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Additions and Substitutions
  • How to Make Cheeseburger Soup
  • How to Freeze This Soup
  • More Comfort Soups and Stews
  • FAQs
  • Cheeseburger Soup

About This Recipe

I love to serve this soup (or is it a chowder?) on nights when coziness is required. It will work as a weeknight staple or a recipe to ladle out for gatherings.

While thick and rich in flavor, you might be surprised to learn that this soup has a lot of veggies in it. It has a creamy rich base with just the right amount of veggies, ground beef (or ground turkey), and cheddar cheese.

Cooking Tip: Mise En Place

Cooking is more enjoyable and efficient when you’re prepared! So be sure to get organized ahead of time–also known as mise en place by the French.

  • Read through the recipe.
  • Set out your equipment and ingredients.
  • Prep any ingredients ahead that are required–like chopping veggies and cooking the rice.

Ingredients Needed

We aim to cook with real, whole-food ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need on hand…

Cheeseburger soup ingredients measured out and labeled.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Seasonings – Garlic powder, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning.
  • Salted butter – If you only have unsalted butter, you’ll just want to taste and adjust the salt at the end.
  • Chicken broth – Grab some at the store (this is my favorite brand) or make your own chicken broth.
  • Peeled, diced potatoes – I recommend a heartier potato like a russet for this recipe.
  • Whole wheat flour – We prefer white whole wheat flour for extra nutrition, but you can also use all-purpose flour or gluten-free 1:1 flour.
  • Whole milk – I’ve tested this using plain almond milk. It works but is definitely thinner and not as rich tasting.
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – Or mild will work, too.

Additions and Substitutions

As with most of our recipes on Thriving Home, we try to provide flexibility for your specific dietary needs. Try any of these substitutions or additions in this soup.

    • For gluten-free: Instead of wheat flour for the white sauce, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour (like Bob’s Red Mill brand).

    • For dairy-free: This recipe will not work for a dairy-free diet, unfortunately. You can, however, cut back on the dairy by using plain almond milk in place of the milk.

    • Instead of ground beef, use ground turkey or ground pork sausage. You can also double the amount of meat if you’d like an even heartier soup.

    • For more veggies, simply double the amount of onion, celery, and carrots you chop. I do this frequently!

    • Add bacon! This will add tremendous flavor. Cook a 1/2 pound of bacon in the soup pot before the very first step of the recipe. Remove the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Then, cook your meat and veggies in the bacon fat. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir into the soup at the end.

How to Make Cheeseburger Soup

Now that you know how to prepare, let’s walk through how this soup will come together. (Find the full recipe at the bottom.)

Sauté the Beef & Veggies

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, add beef and seasonings. Stir until meat has cooked all the way through and is brown.

Ground beef browning in a dutch oven.

In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add onions, celery, and carrots. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the garlic during the last 30-60 seconds.

Minced garlic added to sauteed veggies in a ceramic pot.

Add the beef back to the pot. Stir in the chicken broth, more seasonings, and the potatoes. Bring ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Let soup simmer.

Broth being poured into a ceramic pot that has sauteed veggies, chopped potatoes, browned ground beef, and seasonings in it.

Make White Sauce

In a medium sauce pan, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir for 1-2 minutes, until bubbly.

A wooden spoon stirring melted butter in a sauce pan.
Flour dumped on top of melted butter in a sauce pan to make a roux.

Turn up the heat to medium-high. Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper. Whisk frequently until this mixture is very warm and thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes. 

A wooden spoon stirring together flour and butter to make a roux.
Flour and butter being whisked together while milk is being poured into a sauce pan for a roux.

Add White Sauce & Cheese to Soup

Stir the milk mixture into the soup. Remove the soup from the heat and slowly stir in the cheese, a little at a time, until fully incorporated.

A roux being mixed into a pot with other ingredients for cheeseburger soup.
Shredded cheese being mixed into a ceramic pot with ingredients for cheeseburger soup.

Serve

Serve the soup warm in bowls with optional toppings like green onion or chives, oyster crackers, bacon bits, and sour cream.

A bowl of cheeseburger soup with small bowls of chopped green onions and bacon next to it.

If soup gets too thick, thin it out with more broth or milk.

Serve with Cheddar Biscuits, Mandarin Orange Salad, Wheat Dinner Rolls, and Buckeye Brownies for a well rounded meal!

How to Freeze This Soup

As authors of two cookbooks and self-proclaimed “freezer cooking evangelists”, we always try to share how to prep and freeze recipes like this soup, when possible. I personally love to freeze this one in small portions for lunches.

Freeze for Later: Cook and cool the soup completely. Freeze in a freezer bag or container, squeezing out all excess air and sealing tightly.

To Prepare from Frozen: Thaw in the refrigerator. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add 1-2 more cups of chicken broth if too thick.

Tip: You can also freeze soup in individual servings in 2-cup Souper Cubes, 2-cup Pyrex containers, or 16-ounce mason jars. Be sure to leave 1 inch of head room for expansion at the top of the jars or the glass may break in the freezer. 

Check out our 70+ Best Freezer Meals for more ideas.

Two pans covered in foil labeled cheeseburger soup.

More Comfort Soups and Stews

Chicken and wild rice soup in a white bowl with a spoon.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Beef stew in bowls with cornbread on a plate nearby.

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Slow cooker sausage and tortellini soup in a white bowl with parsley on top.

Crockpot Tortellini Soup with Sausage

A bowl of cheddar and bacon potato soup with a spoon lifting out a bite.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup

FAQs

What are good toppings for cheeseburger soup?

Common toppings include shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, crumbled bacon, and a dollop of sour cream.

Can I freeze cheeseburger soup?

Yes! Soups are typically very freezer friendly. I recommend freezing the fully cooked and cooled soup in small containers for easy storage and reheating.

Is cheeseburger soup healthy?

While cheeseburger soup is hearty and satisfying, it can be high in calories and fat due to the cheese and butter. To make it healthier, you can use lean ground beef or ground turkey, reduced-fat cheese, and skim milk.

Can I use Yukon potatoes instead of russet in Cheeseburger Soup?

Yes, this substitution will work fine. However, the soup will be a bit more runny (because Yukon potatoes aren’t as starchy). It shouldn’t affect the taste though.

Dump and go freezer meal email cta.

Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour!

Try a 1 Hour Freezer Prep Session ($6.99 value) for FREE!
Includes:
  1. Shopping & equipment lists
  2. Step-by-Step instructions & video tutorial
  3. Serving suggestions & dietary substitutions & more

Loading

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Cheeseburger soup in a dutch oven pan with small bowls of chopped green onions, and bacon next to it.
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 8 reviews

Cheeseburger Soup

This comforting, hearty, one-pot wonder makes even the coldest winter nights warm and cozy. I like that it’s a veggie-forward dish but still creamy and meaty-tasting. Serve for a weeknight meal or at your next group gathering. 

Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Prep: 15 minutesCook: 30 minutesTotal: 45 minutes
Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later [socialpug_share networks=”email” networks_labels=”Email” show_labels=”yes” overwrite=”yes”]
Scale:

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef (sub: ground turkey)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (1 teaspoon pre-minced garlic)
  • 3 cups chicken broth, plus more as needed
  • 4 cups peeled, diced potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds; diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (sub: all-purpose flour)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional Toppings: sour cream, bacon bits, oyster crackers, minced chives, or sliced green onions

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Make It Now:

  1. Saute Beef: In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, add beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Stir until meat has cooked all the way through and is brown, about 4-5 minutes. Drain grease and set meat aside. 
  2. Saute Vegetables: In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add onions, celery, and carrots. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the garlic during the last 30-60 seconds.
  3. Simmer the Soup: Add the beef back to the pot. Stir in the chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the potatoes. Bring ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Let soup simmer for 10-12 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. 
  4. Make White Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir for 1-2 minutes, until bubbly. Turn up the heat to medium-high. Whisk in the milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk frequently until this mixture is very warm and thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes. 
  5. Add White Sauce & Cheese to Soup: Stir the milk mixture into the soup. Remove the soup from the heat and slowly stir in the cheese, a little at a time, until fully incorporated. (Freezing instructions begin here.) Taste and season with more salt or pepper, as desired.
  6. Serve: Serve the soup warm in bowls with optional toppings like chives or green onions, oyster crackers, bacon bits, and sour cream. If soup gets too thick, thin it out with more broth or milk.

Freeze For Later: Cook and cool completely. Freeze in a freezer bag or freezer container(s).

Prepare From Frozen: Thaw in refrigerator or using the defrost setting of the microwave. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.


Notes/Tips

  • Gluten-Free Version: Instead of wheat flour for the white sauce, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour (like Bob’s Red Mill brand).
  • How to Reduce the Dairy: This recipe will not work for a dairy-free diet, unfortunately. You can, however, cut back on the dairy by using plain almond milk in place of the milk and plant-based butter in place of the butter.
  • Instead of ground beef, use ground turkey, chicken, or pork sausage. You can also double the amount of meat if you’d like an even heartier soup.
  • For more veggies, simply double the amount of onion, celery, and carrots you chop. I do this frequently!
  • Add bacon! This will add tremendous flavor. Cook a 1/2 pound of bacon in the soup pot before the very first step of the recipe. Remove the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Then, cook your meat and veggies in the bacon fat. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir into the soup at the end. Reduce the overall salt amount by at least 1 teaspoon if doing this, though!
© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine: American Method: Stove Top

Did you make this?

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Rate Recipe

Tag Us on Instagram

Photos and video by Whitney Reist of Sweet Cayenne.

healthy soup recipes

Want More Healthy Soup Recipes?

We have rounded up 15+ healthy soup recipes in this post. Hop over and find a new favorite!

Healthy Soup Recipes
cheeseburger chowder in a dutch oven and in a bowl with a spoon.
194 shares
  • Share
  • Email

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

Read more...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Karen says

    Posted on 2/20/25 at 9:19 am

    This soup is very good, very easy, and very delicious.

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 2/20/25 at 9:59 am

      Glad you enjoyed this Karen! Thanks for leaving a review.

      Reply
  2. Tammy says

    Posted on 2/12/25 at 7:42 pm

    Wow! This was a big hit, will definitely be making again!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 2/13/25 at 9:13 am

      So glad you enjoyed this Tammy. Thanks for leaving a review!

      Reply
  3. Amber says

    Posted on 2/5/25 at 9:48 pm

    I made this for the first time tonight and everyone in my family loved it and said it was a definite yes to add to our regular rotation. My daughter asked “where did you get this recipe?! It’s SO good!” We added bacon, green onion, and chopped avocado to our bowls.
    One of my children is dairy free, so I made a completely gluten free dairy free version for him and he loved it. I used dairy free butter, Violife shredded cheddar dairy free cheese and coconut milk for his soup. I added the dairy free cheddar to the white sauce roux and whisked it over medium heat until the cheese was completely melted into the sauce before adding it to the rest of the soup.

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 2/6/25 at 8:58 am

      Hi Amber! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review with details on how you made it dairy-free. I know this will be helpful to others. We’re so glad your whole family loved the soup!

      Reply
  4. Andie Regenfuss says

    Posted on 12/5/24 at 11:11 am

    My husband hates potatoes (crazy, I know). I’d like to try this with some type of brown or wild grain rice instead. Is that something you’ve tried in this? Any ideas for how to accomplish that? Bless you!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 12/5/24 at 2:28 pm

      Hi Andie! We haven’t tried anything other than potatoes in this recipe. They are such a key ingredient, we don’t have advice on how to replace them. You could try our Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/chicken-and-wild-rice-soup/
      Not the same flavor profile, but a long-standing reader-favorite!

      Reply
  5. Misty Harris says

    Posted on 11/20/24 at 9:59 am

    I had a similar recipe that my family stopped using because it called for processed cheese product. I tried this recipe this week and it is amazing! I much prefer it with real cheese. So delicious!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 11/20/24 at 10:16 am

      Yay! So glad you found us and were able to make an old family favorite with ‘real’ ingredients. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Misty.

      Reply
      • Debby says

        Posted on 1/16/25 at 1:12 pm

        Very good!

      • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

        Posted on 1/16/25 at 3:45 pm

        Glad you liked it Debby!

  6. Jill says

    Posted on 5/27/24 at 3:29 pm

    We love this soup. I made it for my family of 5 and we all wanted thr leftovers!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 5/28/24 at 9:19 am

      Love to hear when even the leftovers are winners! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Jill.

      Reply
  7. Joanne says

    Posted on 11/3/23 at 11:47 am

    I would eat this everyday. Yummy I love that it freezes great. Highly recommend

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 11/4/23 at 6:55 pm

      Hi Joanne. So glad you enjoyed the Cheeseburger Soup! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.

      Reply
  8. Becca says

    Posted on 3/10/23 at 10:18 pm

    My whole family liked this. Hubby said it was delicious and they would like it in the regular meal plan. I subbed beef stock for the chicken broth because that’s what I had on hand.

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 3/13/23 at 9:58 am

      Awesome. Glad to hear this Becca! Thanks so much for leaving a review.

      Reply
  9. Lynn says

    Posted on 3/5/23 at 10:48 am

    I turned this soup into a vegetarian option by substituting impossible beef and vegetable broth. It was absolutely delicious. I will definitely serve this for company knowing it will be a hit!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 3/6/23 at 9:23 am

      That’s awesome Lynn! Thanks for letting others know how you made it work for a vegetarian diet.

      Reply

sidebar

polly and rachel

Welcome

We’re moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. Our mission is to help your home thrive, one delicious meal at a time. Let’s make the most of your time in the kitchen! Read more.

Follow Us On Instagram!

freezer cooking

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Learn More

freezer to table

Order On:

Amazon • Target

Learn More

FREEZER MEALS

Southwest Chicken over a salad

Southwest Chicken

Taco bar with all the toppings lined up

Totally Tasty Taco Bar

Tomato bisque in bowls with spoons and croutons on top.

Tomato Bisque

Chicken taco soup in a white bowl with toppings.

Chicken Taco Soup

TOP RECIPES

Chicken Parmesan casserole in a glass baking dish with a spoon.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Meatball subs that have been under the broiler, side by side.

Easy Meatball Subs

Tomato bisque in bowls with spoons and croutons on top.

Tomato Bisque

Seasoned cooked steak sliced on a plate with steamed broccoli and a baked potato.

The Perfect Pan-Seared Steak

Popular Round-Ups

Fully cooked ham and egg cups in a freezer bag.

20+ Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas

Collage image for freezer meals.

Easy Freezer Meals for One or Two

20+ Inexpensive, Easy Meals for Large Groups

Collage of 7 different marinades with chicken breasts on the left and cooked dishes on the right.

7 BEST Chicken Marinades

freezer meal update
New to freezer cooking?

Grab Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

5 days of recipes & tips from freezer meal experts.

Loading

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

About
About Us
Work With Us
Press
Recipes
All Recipes
Freezer Meals
Menu Plans
Shop
Cookbooks
1 Hour Prep Sessions
Gift Guides
Explore
Free Resources
Shop Our Favorites
Facebook Group
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
Contact
© 2025 Thriving Home
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
194 shares