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Creamy Cheeseburger Potato Soup Recipe with Crispy Bacon

creamy cheeseburger potato soup - featured image

A hearty and comforting creamy cheeseburger potato soup with crispy bacon, perfect for cozy dinners. This easy recipe combines tender potatoes, browned ground beef, melted cheddar, and crispy bacon for a rich, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean to medium ground beef (80-85% lean)
  • 4 medium russet potatoes (about 2 lbs)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk (or 2%)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 oz)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large pot or skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add ground beef to the pot with bacon fat. Break apart with a wooden spoon and sprinkle smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until no longer pink and slightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in butter until melted. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes until slightly thickened and pasty.
  5. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Peel and dice potatoes into ½-inch cubes. Add to the pot and simmer uncovered until tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Use a potato masher or fork to gently mash some of the potatoes in the pot to thicken the soup, leaving some chunks for texture, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Lower heat to medium-low and gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle crispy bacon on top. Garnish with fresh chives if desired.

Notes

Do not rush the simmering step to ensure tender potatoes and thick soup. If soup thickens too much, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen. Melt cheese on low heat to prevent clumping. Reserve some bacon fat for browning beef for extra smoky flavor. For dairy-free, use almond or oat milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives. For vegetarian, substitute beef with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger soup, potato soup, creamy soup, bacon soup, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef soup