Spicy Cheeseburger Soup
A hearty, spicy cheeseburger soup packed with ground beef, potatoes, and melted American cheese, perfect for comforting family dinners or chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 2 cups potatoes, cubed ⓘ
- 2 small carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1 small onion ⓘ
- 1/4 cup green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 2 1/2 cups milk ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 8 ounces American cheese, cubed ⓘ
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine water, potatoes, carrots, onion, green pepper, garlic, beef bouillon, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in cooked ground beef and 2 cups of milk; heat through.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour and remaining milk until smooth.
- Gradually stir the flour mixture into the soup.
- Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
- Reduce heat and stir in cubed American cheese until melted.
- Top with cooked, crumbled bacon just before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding the cheese. If you prefer a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of beef bouillon.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, topped with crumbled bacon for added crunch. This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal. For a fun twist, serve it in bread bowls or alongside a plate of Easy Cheeseburger Pie for a hearty dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Spicy Cheeseburger Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk to restore creaminess if it thickens during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Cheeseburger Soup contains roughly 1543 calories, with 51g protein, 158g carbohydrates, and 78g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (102% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (78% of the Daily Value), and iron (57% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, the soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just be aware that the texture may change slightly when reheating. To maintain the best consistency, consider adding the cheese and bacon just before serving.
What can I use instead of American cheese?
If you prefer a different cheese, cheddar or Monterey Jack can be used as substitutes. Keep in mind that they may alter the flavor slightly, but they will still melt well and add delicious creaminess to the soup.
Can I freeze this soup?
Freezing is possible, but the texture may change upon thawing. If you plan to freeze it, do so before adding the cheese and bacon. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then heat gently on the stovetop, adding cheese just before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).