Last winter evening, I returned home after a long day of classes and errands, chilled by the biting cold outside. I flicked on the lights in my small kitchen and looked for some comfort food that could warm me from the inside. I remembered the time my grandmother taught me a recipe years ago a hearty, creamy soup she called “her secret dinner.” I rummaged through my pantry and fridge: potatoes, ground beef, cheese, onions, broth. Within an hour, the whole house smelled of comforting warmth. That night, I created my own version, which I now call Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup. As I ladled the steaming bowl and tasted the creamy, cheesy broth with juicy bits of hamburger and tender potatoes, I felt comfort and nostalgia.
Ever since that evening, Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup has become a staple in my recipe collection. In this article, I’ll share a detailed, SEO-friendly version of that recipe, explore variations like Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup Crock Pot, Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup, and Hamburger Hash Soup, and give tips for perfecting every bowl.
Table of Contents
What Is Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup?
Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup is a delicious, hearty soup that combines the richness of cheese with ground beef (hamburger) and soft potatoes in a savory broth. It’s a comfort food classic that satisfies hunger and warms you up on chilly evenings. Because it’s so versatile, you’ll also see it referred to as Hamburger Potato Soup, Hamburger Soup, or even Hamburger Hash Soup when small bits of meat and potatoes mingle in a thick base.
You can prepare it on the stovetop in a large soup pot, or adapt it for a slow cooker or Crock Pot. That’s why recipes often mention Crockpot Potato Hamburger Soup, Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup Crock Pot, or Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup. These conveniences free up your time while delivering that same hearty, comforting flavor.
In this article, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions, variations, and tips so your version of Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup becomes a go-to in your home.
Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a soup pot over medium heat, melt butter and add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
- Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture and stir well to coat. This will help thicken the soup.
- Add diced potatoes and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Lower heat and stir in milk or half-and-half. Slowly add shredded cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Optional: garnish with parsley, extra cheese, or bacon bits.
Notes
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make a classic version of this Comfort Soup Recipe, with optional tweaks for Crock Pot or slow cooker versions:
- 1 lb (≈ 450 g) ground beef (hamburger)
- 4 to 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: diced carrots, celery, or corn
If you prefer the Crockpot Potato Hamburger Soup version, you’ll layer the potatoes, hamburger, onion, garlic, broth in the slow cooker and add dairy and cheese toward the last hour. That method works well for Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup.
Adding extra veggies like corn or celery can shift this into more of a Comfort Soup Recipe style, but the core remains potatoes, ground beef, and cheese.
Step-by-Step Stove-Top Method
Below is how I make the classic stovetop Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup (the fastest method, often yielding excellent results).
- Brown the hamburger. In a large soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
- Add flour. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir well to coat the meat and onions. This helps thicken the soup later.
- Add potatoes and broth. Pour in the beef broth and add the diced potatoes. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in milk and cheese. Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in the milk (or half-and-half). Stir in shredded cheddar cheese a little at a time until melted and smooth.
- Season and serve. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of extra milk or broth. Ladle into bowls, perhaps with extra cheese or chopped parsley on top.
That simple method delivers a rich, creamy bowl of Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup in under an hour. It’s one of my favorite Homemade Soup Recipe go-tos when I want comfort without fuss.
Crock Pot / Slow Cooker Method
If you’d rather set it and forget it, here’s how to make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup Crock Pot or Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup:
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic, drain excess fat.
- Transfer beef mixture, diced potatoes, and beef broth into your Crock Pot or slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
- Cook on low for 4–6 hours, or high for 2–3 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- In the last hour (or last 30 minutes), stir in milk (or cream) and shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
- Taste, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
This method lets you wander off perfect for busy days while achieving a satisfying Hamburger Potato Soup that’s just as creamy and flavorful as the stovetop version.
Hamburger Hash Soup Variation
For a slightly different twist, try Hamburger Hash Soup. In this version:
- Dice the potatoes into smaller “hash” cubes.
- Use a higher ratio of meat to potato (e.g., 1.25 lb hamburger to 4 potatoes).
- Omit or reduce milk and make it a thicker broth (less creamy).
- Add vegetables like peas, corn, or carrots.
The result is a heartier, less creamy, more stew-like version of Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup. Some people prefer this when they want more texture and less creaminess.
Tips for Thick, Creamy, Perfect Soup
To ensure your Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup is rich and consistent, keep these tips in mind:
- Use good cheese sharp cheddar helps flavor.
- Add cheese slowly, stirring gently so it melts smoothly and doesn’t clump or separate.
- Don’t boil after adding dairy; keep heat low to avoid curdling.
- If soup is too thin, mash a few potatoes in the pot or whisk a bit more flour or cornstarch dissolved in milk.
- For extra richness, use half-and-half instead of milk.
- Season well but go easy on salt until after the cheese is melted, because cheese adds saltiness.
These tips apply whether you make the stovetop, Crockpot Potato Hamburger Soup, or Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup versions.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This soup is satisfying on its own, but you can elevate the meal experience:
- Serve with crusty bread, garlic toast, or cornbread.
- A crisp green salad on the side balances the richness.
- Top with fresh parsley, chives, or extra cheese.
- Crumbled bacon or crispy onion bits make a nice garnish.
- For a lighter twist, stir in steamed broccoli or spinach at the end (don’t overcook them).
Because Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup is already so hearty, you don’t need much else just simple sides to complement.
Nutrition & Portion Tips
While this soup is indulgent, you can make lighter tweaks:
- Use lean ground beef (e.g. 90% lean) to reduce fat.
- Use low-fat milk or part-skim mozzarella instead of full-fat cheese.
- Add more vegetables (carrots, celery, corn) to stretch the volume.
- Serve moderate portions (1 to 1½ cups per person) accompanied by salad.
Even with adjustments, the core flavor of Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup meaty, cheesy, potato-rich remains. It’s still one of my favorite Comfort Soup Recipes when I want something hearty but homemade.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Why is my soup grainy after adding cheese?
A: That usually happens when cheese is added too quickly or under high heat. Always reduce heat and add cheese in small batches, stirring gently.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Creamy soups with dairy don’t always freeze well. If you must, freeze without dairy (cheese & milk), then thaw and stir in fresh dairy when reheating.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: You could substitute cooked lentils or meat-substitute instead of hamburger, and use vegetable broth. It won’t be classic, but it creates a vegetarian Potato Soup with cheese vibes.
Q: Can I omit potatoes?
A: Potatoes are a main ingredient here, so omitting them changes it entirely. If you reduce potatoes, increase vegetables or noodles to maintain volume.
Why This Soup Works as a Go-To
- It’s economical: ground beef, potatoes, cheese ingredients that are accessible and affordable.
- It’s comforting: creamy textures, savory flavors, hearty satisfaction.
- It’s flexible: works on stovetop, Crockpot Potato Hamburger Soup, or Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup.
- It’s adaptable: use extra vegetables, make a hamburger hash version, or lighten it with substitutions.
- It’s loved: I’ve served Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup to friends, and they always ask for the recipe.
Final Recipe Summary
Here’s a quick recap for making Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup:
- Brown 1 lb hamburger + onion + garlic
- Stir in 2 Tbsp flour
- Add 4–5 diced potatoes + 4 cups beef broth, simmer until tender
- Stir in 1 cup milk and 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheese
- Season with salt & pepper
- Serve hot
Or use the Crock Pot / slow cooker version:
- Layer beef, potatoes, broth, cook low 4–6 hrs or high 2–3 hrs
- Add milk and cheese near end
- Season and serve
You can try the thicker Hamburger Hash Soup variant or classic Hamburger Potato Soup depending on your texture preference.
Conclusion
From that cold evening when I rediscovered my grandmother’s style comfort food, Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup has become a beloved staple in my kitchen. Whether you make the Crockpot Potato Hamburger Soup, Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup, or stovetop version, it brings warmth, flavor, and satisfaction. The combination of ground beef, potatoes, cheese, and a savory broth hits the perfect comfort food note.
If you’re looking for a Homemade Soup Recipe that’s simple to prepare yet indulgent to eat, this is it. It fits squarely into the realm of Comfort Soup Recipes rich, creamy, and full of nostalgia. Try it yourself, adjust to your tastes, and I hope it becomes a favorite in your home, just as it has in mine.