Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup is basically the ultimate “fix it and forget it” comfort food. Ever come home after the longest day with zero energy to cook? (Ugh, same, right?) That’s when I crave something cozy that won’t make me wrangle three pots or stand at the stove. Plus, when it’s freezing outside, my brain just wants soup. If you’re into hearty, cheesy, good-gravy-it’s-creamy bowls of love, this is for you. Love this vibe? You might also dig my other soups, especially this 4-ingredient potato soup for those extra lazy nights.
TL;DR – Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with ground beef, potatoes, veggies, and bacon. It’s the ultimate slow cooker comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and cozy winter dinners.
- Prep in 15 minutes, let the crockpot do the work
- Family-friendly & picky-eater approved
- Customizable: gluten-free, low-carb, or Instant Pot
- Stores up to 4 days, freezer-friendly without dairy
Jump to Ingredients •
Instructions •
FAQs
Try next: 4-Ingredient Potato Soup
Why You’ll Love This Easy Crock Pot Soup
Honestly, this crockpot cheeseburger soup is one of those recipes you’ll keep making on repeat. I first made it for a busy week dinner and it blew my mind how easy, almost foolproof, it was to get big flavor. There’s no standing over the stove, just toss, stir, and go. It’s hearty enough for even the biggest appetites in my house. Oh, and it makes your place smell like a five-star burger joint, which has my kids running to the kitchen every single time. Even picky eaters love it.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights and Meal Prep
Look, my calendar is a mess most weekdays. With school and work schedules, I just want dinner to take care of itself. This recipe fits that bill perfectly. Pop everything in the slow cooker before work, and by the time you get home…magic. It’s also a star when it comes to meal prep. There’s always enough to stash in the fridge for later, and it microwaves like a dream (even if you forget about it till Friday, no judgment here). Zero extra work, all the comfort.
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Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
A hearty, creamy soup made effortlessly in a crockpot, perfect for cold days and busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 lb Ground beef (80/20 preferred, but any available works)
- 1 cup Chopped onion
- 2 medium Diced carrots
- 2 stalks Diced celery
- 2 cloves Minced garlic
- 4 medium Potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups Chicken broth (Can use beef broth for more flavor)
- 8 oz Cheese, shredded (Sharp cheddar recommended, mix as desired)
- 4 oz Cream cheese (Or substitute with heavy cream)
- 1 cup Crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Black pepper (Adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp Smoked paprika (Pinch for flavor enhancement)
Toppings
- 1 cup Sliced pickles (For crunch)
- 1/4 cup Chopped green onions (For garnish)
- 1 cup More shredded cheese (Optional, for extra indulgence)
- 1 cup Crushed crackers or buttery croutons (For topping)
Instructions
Preparation
- Brown the ground beef in a pan and drain the fat.
- Add the browned beef to the slow cooker, along with onions, carrots, celery, garlic, potatoes, and chicken broth.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Near the end of cooking, stir in cheese, cream cheese, and crumbled bacon, allowing time for ingredients to melt and blend.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Serving
- Serve with the suggested toppings.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, ensure all ingredients are gluten-free. For a low-carb version, substitute diced cauliflower for potatoes. To make it healthier, you can use ground turkey instead of beef and adjust creamy ingredients accordingly. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Main Course, Soup
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Alright, let’s talk shopping list. You’ll need:
- Ground beef (I like 80/20 but whatever’s in the freezer works)
- Chopped onion
- Diced carrots
- Diced celery
- Minced garlic
- Potatoes, peeled and diced
- Chicken broth (can use beef broth for extra oomph)
- Cheese (I do sharp cheddar but go wild)
- Cream cheese or heavy cream (makes it ridiculously creamy)
- Crumbled cooked bacon (the best part, maybe)
- Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika
I honestly toss in whatever cheese I have on hand. Mix and match. Pre-shredded, cut from the block…your call.
Optional Toppings and Garnishes
I mean, let’s be real, toppings are half the fun. My family likes it messy with:
- Sliced pickles for crunch
- Chopped green onions for pop
- More shredded cheese, never too much
- Crushed crackers or buttery croutons
Serve it up with a side of garlic parmesan crockpot chicken potatoes if you’re feeling extra.
How to Make Cheeseburger Soup in the Crock Pot
First things first, brown your ground beef in a pan. Drain the fat (unless you love living on the edge). Dump it into your slow cooker, add all your veggies, potatoes, garlic, and broth. Stir in your seasonings. Set it and forget it…on low for about 7 hours or high for 4. Near the end, stir in your cheese, cream cheese, and bacon. Give it time to melt and blend. Stir well, taste, add more salt or cheese if you want. Serve with those fun toppings I mentioned!
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
Want your cheeseburger soup extra dreamy? Here’s what worked best for me: don’t use that processed cheese (unless you’re nostalgic for school lunches) because it can get clumpy. Cut your potatoes on the small side so they cook evenly. Always add the dairy right at the end, or you’ll risk weird separation. Oh, and cook your bacon separately to keep it crispy before adding. A little chef secret, let the soup rest with the lid off for ten minutes before serving, so it thickens up nicely.
“I seriously can’t believe how much flavor this had for a slow cooker recipe, and I loved the leftovers even more the next day. Definitely my new weeknight favorite.”
Making It Gluten-Free or Low-Carb
Good news, this soup is easy to tweak. For gluten-free, just make sure your broth and seasonings are certified (sometimes there’s hidden gluten in there, weirdly). Wanna go low-carb? Ditch the potatoes. Try diced cauliflower instead. I was skeptical, but it still eats like a cheeseburger dream and nobody even noticed the switch.
Recipe Variations to Try
Get creative, honestly. Substitute ground turkey or even ground chicken for beef if you want it lighter (taste’s still rich). Add a splash of hot sauce for a buffalo twist, or toss in diced jalapeños for a little kick. You can mix up the cheese too, gouda, Monterey jack, heck even leftover brie works if you’re feeling wild. I’ve even tried crockpot hamburger potato casserole style additions like corn for another layer. Endless possibilities here.
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup Method
If you’re in a rush, pull out that Instant Pot…yep, you can make cheeseburger soup fast. Sauté ground beef using the sauté function, toss in veggies, broth, and seasonings, then cook on high pressure for about 8 minutes. Quick release, stir in cheese and cream, and you’re eating almost immediately. It’s almost quicker than drive-thru (not exaggerating) and saves your sanity.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Soup
I’m a bread person, so buttery rolls or breadsticks are must-haves for dipping. If I’m feeling ambitious, a quick green salad balances things out. And, if there’s room, crockpot taco pasta makes a fun side, family’s always into a “soup and pasta” night.
Toppings: Pickles, Green Onions, or Extra Cheese
Got leftover pickles hanging out in the fridge? Chop some up and toss on top. Same with green onions, slice super thin for a bit of zip. Extra cheese is law, not a suggestion (at least in my house). Sometimes, I’ll even top with little cubes of cooked bacon or a spoonful of sour cream if people are feeling fancy.
How Long Cheeseburger Soup Lasts in the Fridge
Plan on 4 days max in the fridge, any longer and things start looking a bit sad. Store in an airtight container. The flavors get even better after a day, so leftovers are kind of a treat (just don’t forget them behind the milk again).
Reheating Without Losing Creamy Texture
The secret to keeping that creamy magic? Reheat low and slow. If it’s in a pot, medium-low and just a gentle simmer so it doesn’t break or get oily. If you have to microwave, do it in short bursts, stirring every 30 seconds. Add a splash of broth or milk if it’s looking a bit thick, always works for me.
Nutrition Information for Cheeseburger Soup
Listen, this isn’t diet soup, but you can manage the richness. Using reduced fat cheese and ground turkey, skipping the bacon, or swapping half the cream cheese for Greek yogurt makes it lighter. Since you control the ingredients there’s plenty of wiggle room. Most bowls clock in around 350-400 calories if you keep servings to a sane size (which, not gonna lie, isn’t easy).
Nutrition Facts – Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Beef?
Absolutely, and I do it sometimes for a lighter touch. It’s still delicious, and with all the cheese and seasonings, nobody ever complains. Use turkey, chicken, even veggie crumbles if you’re avoiding meat. Tastes a tad different, but still so cozy.
How Do I Make It Healthier?
Easy answers: swap the cream for milk, use half the cheese, load up on more veggies, and go lean on the bacon or skip it. Sub cauliflower for potatoes. Honestly, it’s all about what your family will eat and what your goals are. I sneak in shredded carrots and even spinach when I’m feeling sneaky.
Scaling the Recipe – Double or Halve Easily
This is a forgiving recipe, so doubling it for a crowd is no sweat (just make sure your crockpot’s big enough). Halve everything for smaller batches, easy math, nothing fancy. You might need to trim cooking time a tad when halved, or stretch when doubled. Always check the potatoes for doneness to be safe.
Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Instructions
I love making this ahead, everything can be assembled in the crockpot insert, covered, and stashed in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just pop it in and set the timer. For freezer meal prep, brown your beef, dump all the ingredients (minus cheese and cream) into a bag, then freeze. Thaw overnight and add cheeses near the end.
Seasonal Adaptations – Summer vs. Winter Versions
I do lighter versions in summer, add more fresh veggies, less cream, top with diced tomatoes and crisp lettuce like a real burger. In winter, I go full indulgence: extra cheese, double bacon, and sometimes even a toasted bun on the side. It’s honestly a soup for all seasons, just play with the fixings depending on your mood and the weather.
Common Questions
Yep, but leave out the cream and cheese until after you reheat for the best texture. Reheat gently and add the creamy stuff at the last minute.
If my soup’s a bit watery, I mash some of the potatoes right in the pot, or stir in a slurry of cornstarch mixed with water. Works like a charm.
Totally! Use a big Dutch oven or soup pot on the stove, simmer covered on low until potatoes are tender.
Bread (always), crunchy side salads, or maybe some Mexican street corn soup crockpot for a soup + soup feast.
Honestly, the texture sometimes gets a bit off with non-dairy cheese, but the flavor’s surprisingly good. Best if you stir it in right before serving.
Give Cozy Cheeseburger Soup a Try This Week
Alright, that’s basically everything you’ll ever want to know about making a hearty crockpot cheeseburger soup. Try it for a chilly night, a busy week, or just because you want your house to smell like comfort. For more twists, check out this fun instant pot ham cheese broccoli soup or see my thoughts on why miso soup deserves respect. If I can do it while balancing life and chaos, you totally can too. Good luck and let me know if your family loves it (mine always does)!
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