Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Ground beef: Provides the hearty, meaty base for the soup.

Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the soup.

Carrots: Contributes a subtle sweetness and color.

Celery: Adds a slight crunch and depth of flavor.

Chicken broth: Forms the flavorful liquid base of the soup.

Potatoes: Adds bulk and a creamy texture when cooked.

All-purpose flour: Helps to thicken the soup.

Milk: Adds creaminess to the soup.

Cheddar cheese: Melts into the soup, providing a rich, cheesy flavor.

Sour cream: Adds a tangy creaminess to the soup.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the soup.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces to ensure it cooks evenly and develops a nice, caramelized flavor. This will enhance the overall taste of the soup. Additionally, when adding the flour and milk mixture, whisk continuously to avoid any lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is a lighter alternative and works well in soups.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor.

• onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a subtle onion-like taste and add a different texture.

• carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture and a slightly sweeter taste.

• carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a different sweetness and a creamy texture.

• celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a slight anise flavor and a crunchy texture.

• celery - Substitute with bell peppers: Bell peppers provide a different crunch and a sweet flavor.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a great vegetarian alternative with a similar savory flavor.

• chicken broth - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth adds a richer and deeper flavor.

• potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower: Cauliflower provides a low-carb option with a similar texture when cooked.

• potatoes - Substitute with turnips: Turnips offer a slightly peppery flavor and a similar texture.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch is a gluten-free thickening agent that works similarly to flour.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is another gluten-free thickener that provides a smooth texture.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative with a slightly nutty flavor.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a creamy texture and a subtle coconut flavor.

• cheddar cheese - Substitute with Monterey Jack cheese: Monterey Jack melts well and has a mild flavor.

• cheddar cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella provides a creamy texture and a mild taste.

• sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is a healthier option with a similar tangy flavor.

• sour cream - Substitute with creme fraiche: Creme fraiche offers a rich and tangy flavor similar to sour cream.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can reduce the need for additional salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat without the black specks.

• Allow the cheeseburger soup to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation and helps maintain the soup's texture and flavor.
• Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
• Label each container with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of freshness and ensures you consume the soup within a safe timeframe.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. The airtight seal will keep the soup fresh and prevent it from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The cheeseburger soup can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without significant loss of quality.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the soup's creamy texture.
• Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. If the soup appears too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to reach the desired consistency.
• Avoid reheating the soup in the microwave, as it can cause uneven heating and may alter the texture of the cheddar cheese and sour cream.
• If you notice any separation or graininess after reheating, whisk the soup vigorously to bring it back together. The all-purpose flour and cheddar cheese should help it regain its creamy consistency.
• Enjoy your reheated cheeseburger soup with a fresh garnish of shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream for an extra touch of flavor.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the cheeseburger soup into a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  3. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth if the soup has thickened too much.
  4. Heat until the soup is hot and the cheddar cheese is melted again, but avoid boiling.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. If needed, add a bit of milk or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
  5. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the soup is hot.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Pour the cheeseburger soup into an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check the temperature and stir in a bit of milk or chicken broth if needed.

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Transfer the soup to the slow cooker.
  2. Set to low heat.
  3. Stir occasionally, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth if the soup thickens too much.
  4. Heat for 1-2 hours, or until the soup is thoroughly warmed.

• Double Boiler Method:

  1. Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer.
  2. Place the cheeseburger soup in the top pot.
  3. Stir occasionally, allowing the gentle heat to warm the soup evenly.
  4. Add a bit of milk or chicken broth if the soup becomes too thick.
  5. Heat until the soup is hot and the cheddar cheese is melted.

• Large pot: Used to cook the ground beef and later to combine all the ingredients for the soup.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients while cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

• Knife: Essential for chopping the onion, celery, and peeling and dicing the potatoes.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for chopping vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the precise amounts of ingredients like chicken broth, milk, and shredded cheese.

• Measuring spoons: Useful for measuring smaller quantities of ingredients like salt and pepper.

• Small bowl: Needed to whisk together the flour and milk until smooth before adding to the soup.

• Whisk: Helps to blend the flour and milk mixture smoothly without lumps.

• Cheese grater: Used to shred the cheddar cheese if it is not pre-shredded.

• Peeler: Handy for peeling the potatoes before dicing them.

• Ladle: Perfect for serving the hot soup into bowls.

Pre-chop vegetables: Chop the onion, carrots, and celery in advance and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by using pre-shredded cheddar cheese instead of shredding it yourself.

Instant potatoes: Use instant potatoes as a quick alternative to peeling and dicing fresh ones.

One-pot cooking: Cook the ground beef and vegetables in the same pot to reduce cleanup time.

Pre-mix flour and milk: Mix the flour and milk ahead of time and store in the fridge until needed.