This Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup has all the bold flavor of a cheeseburger in a rich creamy slow cooker soup. This soup is loaded with simple ingredients that thickens the whole pot without a single tablespoon of flour.
After making crockpot meals for my family for more than 14 years, I know which recipes turn out perfectly every time. This cheeseburger soup is at the top of the list. I start it in the morning and come home to an incredible-smelling house and a warm dinner ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Just $2.47 per serving — $14.82 total for a hearty pot that feeds 6
- The cream cheese thickens the soup naturally for the richest creamiest result
- Set it and forget it
- All the bold flavor of a cheeseburger in every single spoonful
- Perfect for feeding a crowd
If you love a good slow cooker recipe as much as I do, check out all of my crock pot beef recipes. You may also love Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup and Easy Keto Cheeseburger Soup Recipe. For even more ideas, check out these 12 Fall Crockpot Soups to Keep You Cozy.
Ingredients
- Ground beef — browned and drained before adding to the slow cooker. Ground turkey or ground chicken work as lighter substitutes
- Potatoes — diced into bite-sized pieces. Russet potatoes give a fluffy starchy result that thickens the broth slightly as they cook. Red potatoes or Yukon Gold both work as substitutes
- White onion — adds savory depth to the broth as it slow cooks all day
- Shredded carrots — adds sweetness and color. Celery, bell peppers, or mushrooms all work as additions or substitutes
- Beef broth — the savory base of the soup. Chicken broth works as a substitute for a slightly lighter flavor
- Cream of mushroom soup — adds richness and body to the broth. Homemade cream of mushroom or cream of chicken both work
- Italian seasoning — adds a subtle herby depth that rounds out the cheeseburger flavors beautifully
- Minced garlic — adds savory depth throughout the long cook time
- Cheddar cheese — shredded and stirred in during the last 30 minutes. Sharp cheddar gives the boldest flavor. Velveeta melts even more smoothly if you prefer a silkier texture
- Cream cheese — the secret ingredient that thickens the soup without any flour. Cut into small cubes and soften before adding for the smoothest melt
How to Make Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Step 1 – First brown the ground beef in a large skillet and drain off any excess grease.
Step 2 – Then place the browned beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, seasoning, beef broth and cream of mushroom soup in the crock pot. Gently stir to combine all the ingredients.
Step 3 – Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2.5-3 hours until the potatoes are tender.
Step 4 – Then approximately 30 minutes before serving, dice up the cream cheese. Stir in the shredded cheese and the cream cheese into the crock pot.
Step 5 – Cover and cook for about 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the soup.
Step 6 – Serve warm with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Brown the beef first. Do not skip this step — browning builds a deeper richer flavor that makes the finished soup taste so much better than just dumping raw beef into the crockpot
- Dice vegetables the same size. Uniform pieces cook at the same rate — larger uneven pieces leave some vegetables undercooked while others get mushy
- Soften the cream cheese before adding. Room temperature cream cheese cut into small cubes melts evenly without lumps — cold cream cheese added in a large block takes much longer to incorporate and can leave white streaks in the soup
- Add the cheese last. Both the shredded cheddar and cream cheese go in during the last 30 minutes only — adding them too early causes them to break and turn grainy in the long heat
- Use a slow cooker liner. This soup is rich and cheesy and cleanup without a liner is significantly harder — a liner makes cleanup almost instant
Topping Ideas
Top this soup like a cheeseburger and set out bowls for everyone to customize their own:
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese — always
- Green onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Croutons for crunch
- Sour cream
- Diced pickles — for a true cheeseburger experience
- Crumbled bacon — for a bacon cheeseburger soup version
- Shredded lettuce Hot sauce
Variations and Substitutions
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version
- Swap beef broth for chicken broth for a slightly milder flavor
- Use Velveeta instead of shredded cheddar for an even silkier smoother texture
- Add a can of diced tomatoes or Rotel for a slightly spicier version
- Add diced jalapeños for heat
- Use homemade cream of mushroom soup for a fresher flavor and lower sodium result
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup with some homemade dinner rolls or Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks Recipe and you will have yourself one amazing dinner on a cold night.
You can never go wrong with serving soup with a delicious bread recipe. However, if you’re feeling like you want a lighter meal, this is great served with an easy salad as well. Check out how to make an easy Caesar salad or just make your own salad dressing with this delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Refrigerator
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days
Freezer
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Note that the cream cheese base may separate slightly when thawed.
Reheating
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat stirring occasionally and adding a splash of beef broth to thin. Watch closely so the potatoes do not get too soft while reheating
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best potatoes for cheeseburger soup?
Russet potatoes are our top choice because they become fluffy and help thicken the broth slightly as they cook. Red potatoes and Yukon Gold both work as substitutes.
Can I make this on the stovetop?
Yes! Brown the beef in a large Dutch oven, add all remaining ingredients except the cheese, and simmer over medium heat for 25–30 minutes until the potatoes are tender, then stir in the cheese and cream cheese until melted.
Why is my cheeseburger soup grainy?
The cheese was added too early or the heat was too high. Always add the cheddar and cream cheese in the last 30 minutes only and keep the heat low so they melt smoothly without breaking.
More Easy Crock Pot Soup Recipes
This Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup has been a fall and winter staple in our house for years, hearty creamy and on the table with almost no effort.
If you make it leave a star rating and a comment below. I love hearing what toppings your crowd piled on and whether they went back for seconds the way mine always does on a cold night!
Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 small potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 small white onion (chopped)
- 1 cup carrots (shredded)
- 3 cups beef broth (2 cans)
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoing
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 8 oz cream cheese (block cut into smaller pieces)
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in large skillet over high heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Place the ground beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots in a 6 quart crock pot.
- Pour the beef broth and the cream of mushroom soup over the vegetables.
- Add seasonings and stir.
- Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and the block of cream cheese into the crock pot.
- Add lid and cook for about 30 minutes on low until the cheese is melted.
- Serve with your favorite burger toppings.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Great recipe! Add the PICKLES and some bacon bits or cooked bacon. Put whatever you would on a burger patty, its good. My 7 year old loves it! We’ve been making it for a few years now.
I love your idea to add pickles and bacon, Jennifer! I’m so glad this has been a favorite for your family for years—and that your 7-year-old loves it, too! Thank you for sharing!
If I’m cooking this on high for a faster time, should I boil my potatoes at all?
No need to boil the potatoes first! Cook the soup on high for about 2½–3 hours, or until the potatoes are tender. Then stir in the cheeses near the end.
I’ve never made this soup before. My friends and my husband I loved it. This one is a keeper. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Amy! I’m so glad your friends and husband loved it. It’s wonderful to hear that the recipe is a keeper!
Great for leaving it while you work or over night
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
Sounds good
Thank you, Amanda! I hope you give it a try and enjoy it!
Now, this I might actually try, because our family loves cheeseburgers!
Love soups and casseroles and this looks like a combination of both. My family would love this!!
It really is the perfect combination of a comforting soup and a cheeseburger! I hope your family loves it.
Well, I have not made this recipe yet, I am beyond excited to give it a try! It’s been so hot here that nobody’s wanted to think about soup! Now that the weather is starting to cool, soups will be on my menu more and more. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!
You’re welcome! This soup is perfect for cooler weather. I hope you enjoy it when you give it a try.
This was better than any cheeseburger I’ve ever had!
That is quite a compliment! I’m so glad you loved it.
This soup sounds amazing!! I can’t wait to try it!!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Grandkids loved this!!
I love hearing that your grandkids enjoyed it!
This soup is an excellent hungry man solution. This soup will be a standing fast weekend meal. Awesome recipe. Thank you
Thank you! It’s such a filling and satisfying meal, especially for the weekend.
I look forward to making this recipe. Every recipe that I have made from Eating of a Dime has been a hit with my family!
That means so much to me! I hope this recipe is another hit with your family.
Looks so good
Thank you! I hope you give it a try.
She’s been crockpot tail meal was really good and easy to cook. Thank you for making stuff easy.
I’m so glad it was easy to prepare and tasted great! That’s always my goal.
I love hamburgers but have never had it as a soup……interesting….
If you love hamburgers, I think you’ll enjoy this fun soup version!
This sounds delicious! Excited to try it on a chilly fall evening ??
My boys love the soup.
I’m so glad your boys love the soup!
Made this and it was really good. Seems like I made something similar with pasta before. I prefer this one more veggies.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The extra vegetables make it so hearty and delicious.
This soup is so easy. It’s a favorite for all my family and friends.
I love hearing that it’s a favorite with your family and friends!
Putting this recipe in the rotatIon for this week! Sounds great!
I hope you enjoy it! It’s a great recipe to add to the weekly rotation.
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to make it!!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
This recipe is so tasty and flavorful! It is the perfect remedy to a cold day or any day! My husband said to put this one on repeat all winter long!
I love hearing that your husband wants it all winter! I’m so glad you both enjoyed it.
This is definitely a tasty keeper. I forgot to take a photo, but My husband said to have this one on repeat all winter! Thank you!
Loved the soup!
Thank you! I’m so glad you loved the soup.
I can’t wait to try this!
Regan – I hope you love it!
Nothing beats a crockpot meal on the crazy days. Great flavor.
Kristina – Thank you so much!
Can’t wait to try this! Adding to my menu this week!
Alicia – I’m so excited that you added it to your menu plan!
This looks delicious!! I think that my husband and I will really enjoy this soup! Thank you for sharing!
Awesome recipe, thanks.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This cheeseburger soup was sooo good. The first time I made it I only made it in one crockpot now I have to use two.
another one to put into rotation
Can’t wait to do this soup it looks so delicious
Carla – Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Saving this recipe for the cooler weather. I am going to try it with ground chicken. Should I change any 9f the spices? Thank you for another recipe for some yummy soups.
So looking forward to trying this one!
Lisa – I hope you love it!
Another one to add to the recipe book!
I love crockpot meals that are healthy and easy!
Thanks so much! Have a great day.
Can’t wait to try this!!!
Dwalla – Let me know what you think!
Interesting soup! I didn’t think my husband would go for it because he loves his burgers!!! But he had thirds and loved it and said “This is a keeper!!!”
Andi – You made our day! Thank you so much!
This is the best soup I have ever made
Tanya – You are too kind! Thank you SO much for this sweet comment.
I made this on Saturday. We loved it… However the sodium was high for us. I will need to see how I can lower that!
This looks like a great recipe for sport nights! Can I cook the ground beef the night before and assemble everything in the morning before heading out to work?
Yes, you can cook the ground beef the night before. Refrigerate it promptly in an airtight container, then assemble everything in the slow cooker the following morning.
This was so good!!! So easy to put together with tons of flavor I measured with my heart on the seasonings & added some chopped bell peppers This is a family favorite for us now
amazing!
Thank you so much!
My family begged me to make this…suffice it to say, they havent stopped begging me to make repeatedly! Thank you so much for this recipe!!
That’s wonderful! I love hearing that your family is already asking you to make it again.
This looks interesting
Delicious, would make this again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and would make it again!
Fantastic and kid friendly!
All ingredients sound great together! I can’t wait to try this Recipe!
Pam – Thank you so much!
Very yummy soup
Janna – Thank you so much!
I.will be making this soup real soon.
This looks amazing. This hearty soup will be perfect for cool rainy fall days.
Thank you so much!
I made this soup and my family loves it!
That’s wonderful! Thanks for letting us know.
Sounds delicious
Thank you! I hope you give it a try.
Really good. Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This is something my husband would enjoy. He’s a picky eater and this is simple!
I’m glad your husband enjoyed it! It’s easy to adjust the spice level to suit your family.
Very good!
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it.
Looks really scrumptious
Barbara – Thanks! Hope you love it!
Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try!
Lisa – Hope you enjoy it!
I really loved this one. So easy and delicious to boot!
Top of my list of soups to make this fall
Curtis – Wahoo! Hope you love it!
Yum Yum!
Barb – Thank you so much!
I literally just made this recipe today bc I happened to have all the ingredients already. I added diced red bell pepper during cooking and topped it with fresh chopped tomatoes at the end. This soup was SO GOOD. Even my picky 11 year old devoured it and asked for seconds! It’s still 90+ degrees where we are, but we ate this with a side salad so it wasn’t too heavy. Thanks for the recipe!!
Anna – Wahoo! I love hearing that even the picky eater enjoyed! Thanks for sharing.
Having made hamburger soup many times, I look forward to trying this cheeseburger soup next. It had many different and interesting ingredients. Thanks for posting!
I hope you enjoy this cheeseburger soup! It’s a fun and flavorful twist on hamburger soup.
I will be making this real soon!
Let me know how it turns out!
An excellent soup?? even the kids love it.? Thank you for sharing
Lisa – That’s awesome! So happy to hear this.
sounds yummy
Thanks! Let me know if you try it!
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it, I love a good cheeseburger. I think I’ll add some pickles for garnish like you recommended
Angie – Hope you enjoy! Love those toppings!
I just made the stuffed bell pepper super and it was delicious. I am going to try the cheeseburger soup next, then the broccoli cheese soup. So far everything has been delicious.
Carol – I’m glad you are loving all the soup recipes!
This is a delicious and easy recipe. I like to top with tomatoes and bacon. Yumm
Nancy – I’m thrilled to hear this. Thanks for leaving a comment.
This sounds so good I can’t wait to try it.
Julia – Thank you! Let me know how it turns out.
I can’t wait to try this recipe
I’m excited you plan to try it!
My husband and I love this one. Its a twist to potato soup so good! Thank you for all your recipes! 🙂
Sara – I’m so glad you both love it! Your comment is so kind!
I’m excited to try this Soupand so is my Family, We love to try Creamy Soups. And your Recipes are Delicious. Thank you for this Recipe.
Cynthia -You’re very welcome. Please let me know if you have any questions.
This was good. I will be making it again!
I have not made this soup yet but I will be as it looks delicious and I love soups.
Susan – I hope you enjoy. Let me know how it turns out.
Since giving up most bread, cheeseburgers just aren’t the same. Not so with this recipe. I get the potato’s and meat, cheese and veggies all in a delicious soup. Bread is not even missed with this. I love I can set it and forget it. Thanks for this one!
Can I make this stovetop
This soup is SO good! The only change I made was I made fries instead of the potatoes and sprinkled them on top! Yum!!
Erika – Wahoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I love your variation with the fries!
Oh my goodness this sounds delish! I think I might add pasta instead of potatoes though. Or maybe both lol ?
This recipe is amazing! Can I use Mexican shredded cheese in place of cheddar?
Haley – Yes, I think that would be delicious in this recipe! I’m so glad you love this soup recipe and thank you so much for the positive review!
This was delicious and very easy
Camera – I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review! I appreciate it so much!
This was amazing and easy. I took the leftovers for lunch. I had to share the recipe with my co workers. Yummy
Thank you so much! That was so nice of you to share with your coworkers.
What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup? Thanks!
Emily – Any creamed base soup would work great instead of the cream of mushroom soup. Cream of celery or cream of chicken are all great options.
Outstanding and a fun recipe. I sautéed the onion with the meat and added a can (drained) of mushrooms. Great flavors as is. Served over some cut-up avocados in bottom of soup bowls for good fat.
Yum! That sounds delicious! I love the addition of avocados – that sounds delicious!
Going to add to menu plan next week- do you think I could use frozen diced southern potatoes ? Trying to use what I have 🙂 thanks !
Natasha – Yes, I think that souther potatoes would work great! I hope you enjoy it!
Made this tonight with a side of garlic knots and cheesy bread sticks. My new favorite cheese burger soup!!
Mik – Yum! Garlic Knots and cheesy bread sound like the perfect combination with Cheeseburger Soup. Thanks for sharing.
I didnt have Hamburger so I used pork sausage, added green peppers and bacon…can’t fo wrong with bacon! Haven’t eaten yet but the taste is great.
Sounds delicious! I hope you enjoy it!
Why the potatoes? What does that do for the coup-doesn’t taste very cheeseburger, sorry! Wondering tu
Mary – It’s add some carbs to make the soup more filling and give you that “bread” flavor for the bun of the cheeseburger! Trust me on this one, this soup is amazing!
TU for getting back to me. Have had several times at different restaurants and do not recall tasting or seeing potatoes in their soup. Can the potatoes be chopped up finer w/o chunks? Maybe Will try?! TU, Mary
It’s one of the best soups I’ve made. Great for cozy time in the fall and winter
Michelle – Wow! Thank you so much!
Love a cheeseburger soup that we get at one of our favorite restaurants. Don’t think it has potatoes in it. Can leave them out? TU
I want to double the recipe for my Bunco group (12). Will it fit in a 5 quart crock pot?
Linda – I’m not sure if it will fit in a 5 quart crock pot. I made 1 serving in a 6 quart crock pot and it was about halfway full. If doubling the recipe, I recommend using an 8 quart crock pot.
I made the cheeseburger soup exactly as the recipe said and I thought it was outstanding. I’m going to share it for lunch tomorrow so I can’t wait to hear what the other ladies have to say.
Rusty – So glad you loved it and want to share it!
Excellency I would make it more often and will I have so everybody try this stupid delicious thank you
I added sun dried tomatoes and a Serrano pepper. Served it with dill pickles!
Thank you
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – Thank you for the positive review!
I loved this recipe. It was so easy. I did add turmeric because I like mustard on my burgers. I used Kraft meltables. Next time I won’t add salt as the cheese was salty enough for my taste. I would also remember to garnish with green onions and bacon! ?
I love this recipe and decided to add spinach when I added the cheese!
Lucille – Yum! Spinach sounds delicious.
This was awesome. Even my extremely picky 8 year old enjoyed 2 bowls of it! Going to be adding this to our Saturdays are for soup rotation!
So happy you liked the recipe! Thank you for the review!
I can’t get cream of mushroom (or chicken) where I am. Is there anything else I can use?
You can use our copycat Cream of Mushroom Soup or our Homemade cream of chicken soup.
This soup is really good and reheats well. My whole family loves it, especially my husband. We didn’t top it with anything, it was plenty good on it’s own.
Delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
I made a double batch of this & so glad I did. So flavorful & taste exactly like a cheeseburger. I will definitely have it on repeat this fall.
I have made this soup 4 times in the last 3 weeks by request of a 3 year old. It is so good! Thanks for a new favorite!
Anytime I go to visit my 22 year old grandson, he always asks “Grandma you going to make me cheeseburger soup?” And I always do.
This soup is so delicious!!
This is a Must-Have soup recipe! It is so good!
Made this for dinner last night. Awesome! The whole family loved it!
This soup is so good!
Absolutely love this recipe!!
This recipe is a winner!! My husband loved it too!
This has to be my favorite by far of all the ones I have tried. I used to be in the LDCC and so I tried this one ages ago, I love all the flavors of a cheeseburger but in a soup that I can eat more than once during the week. It freezes well.
Carrie, I plan on browning the hamburger meat and setting it aside until I need to add. I have a Ninja and I love, love, love it. I don’t use a slow cooker liner and nothing ever sticks. Clean up is a breeze. It is my go-to slow cooker. This recipe looks delicious. I also plan to use it for the Chicken Taco Soup (the only two recipes I have looked at so far).
Delicious! One of hubby favorites!
If you don’t have can of mushroom will cream of chicken work too
Would love to see a modification for the instant pot!
Great idea! Thanks.
So if you have the ninja that can brown the hamburger meet do you do that first or then add the ingredients? Just curious on how the Ninja works with these recipes since I’m thinking about purchasing one. Thanks so much!!!
yes, you can brown in the Ninja
It doesn’t say when to add the cream of mushroom soup. 🙁
Thanks DJ. I just fixed the post.