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Kid-Approved Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup with Cheddar

crockpot cheeseburger soup - featured image

A creamy, cheesy slow cooker soup that tastes just like a cheeseburger in a bowl. Perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to please even picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional garnishes: crispy bacon bits, sliced green onions, extra shredded cheddar

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat and transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Add diced potatoes, carrots, onion, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
  3. Pour in chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until vegetables are tender.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened (2-3 minutes).
  6. Pour the milk mixture into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  7. Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir gently until completely melted and soup is smooth (about 5 minutes). Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve hot with desired garnishes.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheddar from a block to avoid graininess. Add dairy at the end to prevent curdling. Soup thickens as it sits; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. Tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, ground beef soup, cheddar soup, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food