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Creamy Cheeseburger Potato Soup Recipe with Crispy Bacon and Cheddar

creamy cheeseburger potato soup - featured image

A quick and easy creamy cheeseburger potato soup packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and tender potatoes, perfect for comforting weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 6 slices bacon, thick-cut, crisped and chopped
  • 4 medium russet potatoes (about 2 pounds/900g), peeled and diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups (960ml) chicken broth, low sodium preferred
  • 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 200g)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt)
  • Fresh chives or green onions (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large soup pot over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add ground beef to the pot over medium-high heat. Break apart and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving some for richness.
  3. Push beef to one side, add butter to the empty side, and sauté onions until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle flour over beef and veggies, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste and create a roux.
  5. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Add diced potatoes, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender but not mushy.
  7. Lower heat and stir in milk and heavy cream. Heat just until warmed through, avoiding boiling to prevent curdling.
  8. Gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Mix in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and top with crispy bacon pieces and a sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with cold water. To make dairy-free, use coconut milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives. Avoid boiling after adding dairy to prevent curdling. Freshly shred cheese for best melt and flavor. Adjust seasoning gradually as bacon and Worcestershire sauce add saltiness. If soup is too thick, add broth or milk; if too thin, simmer longer uncovered.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, potato soup, creamy soup, bacon soup, comfort food, quick dinner, easy soup recipe