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Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Soup

loaded cheeseburger potato soup - featured image

A rich, creamy potato soup loaded with savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. This easy, one-pot meal captures all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a comforting bowl of soup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 6 slices bacon (thick-cut applewood smoked)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (1/2-inch cubes)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For toppings (optional): diced pickles, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, extra crumbled bacon

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place bacon in a cold Dutch oven. Turn heat to medium and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping once. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble. Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Brown the beef: Add ground beef to the pot with hot bacon fat. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up, until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer beef to a bowl, leaving drippings in the pot.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Build the soup base: Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking continuously. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Cook the potatoes: Add cubed potatoes, cooked ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  6. Create creamy base: Use a potato masher to gently mash about a quarter of the potatoes right in the pot to thicken the soup.
  7. Add dairy and cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in whole milk and heavy cream. Warm through for 1 minute (do not boil). Add shredded cheddar cheese in handfuls, stirring constantly until each addition is fully melted and smooth.
  8. Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with desired toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, shred cheese from a block to avoid grainy texture. Do not let dairy boil to prevent curdling. Soup thickens as it cools; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp cold water).

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, potato soup, loaded potato soup, comfort food, easy dinner, one-pot meal, ground beef soup, bacon cheese soup