How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup: A Cozy One-Pot Recipe

Need a hearty one-pot meal that feeds 6-8 people? Our cheesy hamburger potato soup is the perfect solution, offering a generous 21g of protein per serving.

This crowd-pleasing soup brings together tender ground beef and creamy Yukon Gold potatoes in a rich, velvety broth. The addition of 2 cups of melted cheddar cheese and a splash of heavy cream creates a comforting meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights.

The soup’s versatility makes it perfect for family dinners or weekly meal prep. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or keep it frozen for 3 months. Let’s take a closer look at this simple, warming recipe that will soon become your family’s favorite!

Essential Ingredients for Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup

The perfect cheesy hamburger potato soup needs quality ingredients that work together. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating rich flavors and creamy textures.

Selecting the right ground beef

Lean ground beef with 10-15% fat content makes the best soup. The lean meat cuts down on excess grease and keeps the soup’s hearty flavor intact. You can also use ground turkey or chicken as lighter options that still taste great.

Choosing the best potatoes

Russet potatoes are your best bet because their high starch content naturally creates a thick, creamy texture. These potatoes break down while cooking and make the soup even richer. Yukon Gold potatoes work great too, giving you just the right mix of structure and creaminess. In spite of that, stay away from waxy potatoes – they just turn mushy and won’t give you the texture you want.

Cheese options for maximum creaminess

Sharp cheddar cheese is the lifeblood of this soup’s flavor and creaminess. Fresh-shredded cheese melts better than pre-packaged varieties and doesn’t have unwanted additives. Here are some cheese combinations to boost flavor:

• Medium cheddar melts perfectly
• Monterey Jack adds extra smoothness
• Sharp white cheddar brings tangy notes

Base liquids and seasonings

Great soup needs the right mix of liquids and seasonings. Chicken broth works as the main liquid, but beef broth can give you a deeper flavor. The milk creates that creamy texture you want, while heavy cream raises the richness.

Your must-have seasonings include:

• Worcestershire sauce to boost savory notes
• Onion powder and garlic powder for aromatic depth
• Dried basil and parsley to add herbal undertones

Unsalted broth lets you control the final seasoning better. The flour helps thicken the soup naturally. Mix these base ingredients slowly and adjust the seasonings as you cook to get balanced flavors.

Preparing Your Ingredients

A delicious cheesy hamburger potato soup starts with the right preparation. You need to know the best ways to prepare potatoes and ground beef to make this soup amazing.

Proper potato-cutting techniques

The perfect texture in your hamburger potato soup starts with well-cut potatoes. Skip the usual uniform cubes and try this rustic cutting method that will give a better consistency: hold the potato over your pot and use a paring knife to slice irregular chunks. Make the pieces wider than thick with jagged, tapered edges that add character to the final texture.

These irregular edges work in two ways. They soften gradually like sea glass smoothed by waves. The thinner edges dissolve into the broth and thicken it naturally with their starch while keeping some texture in the middle.

You can cut them into ½ to ¾ inch cubes if you prefer the traditional way. This size:

• Cooks evenly
• Stays tender without falling apart
• Makes every spoonful consistent

Browning ground beef for the best flavor

Rich, savory flavors in your hamburger potato soup come from well-browned ground beef. Let the seasoned meat sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before cooking. The salt penetrates the meat better and creates superior browning.

Your skillet should be hot enough that water drops sizzle when they hit the surface. Use about one tablespoon of oil for each pound of ground beef to help it brown better. Put the meat in once the pan reaches the right temperature and break it into large pieces.

These steps are vital for the best results:

1. Let each side get a golden crust before you flip it
2. Break the meat into smaller pieces after both sides turn brown
3. Get rid of extra liquid so the meat doesn’t steam
4. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees or higher

One mistake to avoid: don’t brown ground beef with onions at the same time. Onions release water that makes the meat steam instead of getting that tasty golden-brown crust. Brown them separately to keep their distinct flavors and textures.

Browning creates complex flavors through the Maillard reaction. This process makes everything taste better and improves your soup’s texture. Drain the extra fat after browning so your soup doesn’t get greasy. Your soup will have a clean, rich flavor without any unwanted greasiness.

These preparation techniques will create layers of flavor and perfect consistency in your cheesy hamburger potato soup. Well-cut potatoes and properly browned ground beef are the foundations of a hearty soup that tastes great with every spoonful.

Step-by-Step Cooking Process

Make a comforting bowl of cheesy hamburger potato soup by turning simple ingredients into something special. This detailed guide will help you build flavors step by step for a perfectly balanced soup.

Creating the soup base

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Let the onions cook until they turn clear and release their aroma. Add ground beef and cook it until brown and crumbly, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain extra fat if needed to keep the soup from getting greasy.

These aromatics will add more flavor:

• Minced garlic (cook it for 2 minutes until fragrant)
• Diced carrots and celery
• Fresh parsley and basil

Adding potatoes and cooking times

Pour in chicken broth and add your prepared potatoes to the base. Let the mixture come to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to medium-low. Your potatoes should take 15-20 minutes to become fork-tender. Watch the cooking time carefully to avoid mushy potatoes.

Make a thickening agent for the right consistency. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a separate saucepan and mix in flour to make a smooth paste. The mixture needs about 1 minute of constant whisking. Add milk bit by bit, stirring until your sauce thickens smoothly.

Incorporating cheese without clumping

Temperature control and good technique will give you perfectly melted cheese. Turn the heat to its lowest setting. A rolling boil will make your cheese separate and turn grainy.

These steps are vital:

1. Add cheese gradually in small handfuls
2. Keep whisking as you add each portion
3. Let each handful melt completely before adding more

Freshly shredded cheese works best. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-clumping agents that affect how it melts. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Fontina are great choices because of their high moisture content and low melting points.

Final seasoning adjustments

Taste your soup and adjust the seasonings once the cheese melts completely. Add salt and pepper gradually. You can add more depth with:

• Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon)
• Cayenne pepper (¼ teaspoon)
• Dried thyme

Stir in ½ cup of sour cream right before serving to make it extra creamy. This final touch adds richness while keeping the soup’s flavors balanced perfectly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even skilled cooks face challenges while making cheesy hamburger potato soup. The good news is you can quickly fix common problems that pop up during preparation.

Fixing a too-thin hamburger potato soup

Your soup might not be thick enough, but several budget-friendly fixes can help you achieve the perfect consistency. Mix one tablespoon of flour with one tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. You could also use cornstarch or tapioca starch mixed with water as an excellent thickening agent.

The quickest way to thicken naturally is to mash some cooked potatoes right in the pot. This adds a body without extra thickeners. Here’s what works best:

• Mash some potatoes with a potato masher or immersion blender
• Mix the mashed potatoes back into the soup bit by bit
• Keep stirring to blend everything smoothly

Preventing cheese separation

High heat or wrong melting techniques often cause the cheese to separate. Take the pot off direct heat before adding cheese to keep that smooth, creamy texture. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Shred your own cheese since pre-packaged ones contain anti-clumping agents
2. Add cheese on low heat and stir until it melts
3. A splash of milk helps bring separated ingredients back together

A pinch of dry mustard before adding cheese works wonders. It helps blend the cheese smoothly without changing the taste. Heavy cream stays more stable than lighter options, especially with acidic ingredients.

Adjusting over-seasoned soup

Heavy cream, yogurt, or sour cream helps balance out too much salt. These ingredients not only cut down on saltiness but make your soup creamier.

If you’re avoiding dairy, try these:

• Add more unsalted broth or water
• Put in extra vegetables to soak up the seasoning
• Use a splash of lemon juice or vinegar

Let’s clear up something about potatoes and salt. While potatoes soak up some liquid and salt during cooking, they don’t specifically target salt. They actually add starch that might make clear soups cloudy.

Note that these tips help prevent seasoning problems:

• Taste as you cook
• Watch out for sodium in pre-packaged ingredients
• Remember liquid reduces while simmering

If your soup gets too thick after these fixes, just add more unsalted broth or water. And if new ingredients water down the flavor, adjust your seasonings slowly until it tastes just right.

Serving and Storage Tips

The right serving and storage methods will give your cheesy hamburger potato soup the best taste while keeping it safe to eat. These tips about choosing bowls and storing techniques help maintain the soup’s quality.

Best bowls and garnishes for serving

Le Creuset’s stoneware bowls make an excellent choice for serving this hearty soup. Their glossy glaze makes cleanup easier, and the size works perfectly for single servings. Year & Day’s Big Bowls provide versatility with their semi-matte finish and stackable design for larger portions.

Your comfort food presentation can include these serving options:

• Hollowed-out sourdough bread bowls (bread density should hold the thick soup)
• Crusty bread or garlic bread to dip
• Fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing balances the meal

Classic garnishes can top each serving:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crispy bacon bits (add right before serving)
• Fresh chives or green onions
• A dollop of sour cream if desired

Proper cooling and refrigeration

The soup’s preservation starts with proper cooling. Let the soup cool to room temperature, but don’t leave it out for more than two hours. The soup should go into airtight containers with minimal headspace to avoid contamination.

Storage guidelines you need:

• Keep refrigerator temperature at or below 40°F
• Use within 3-4 days
• Write storage date on containers
• Complete cooling before refrigeration prevents temperature changes

Freezing and reheating techniques

Dairy components and potatoes can affect the soup’s texture after thawing. The freezing process needs special attention, but you can still freeze successfully with these steps:

Steps to freeze:

1. Cool soup completely
2. Divide into serving-sized portions
3. Use freezer-safe containers or bags
4. Leave room at container tops
5. Store containers flat to save space

Properly frozen soup stays good for up to three months. Gentle heat application is vital when reheating. The stovetop method works best with the lowest heat and frequent stirring. Microwave heating at 50% power in one-minute intervals needs stirring between each interval.

Steps to restore the original texture:

• Keep from reaching a rolling boil
• Stir often to prevent sticking
• Add milk or broth in small amounts if needed
• Taste and adjust seasoning

A paper towel over the bowl prevents splatter during microwave heating. Single servings work best in the microwave, while larger portions do better on the stovetop. Both methods should heat the soup to a serving temperature without ruining its texture.

Dairy-based soups might separate in the freezer. You can freeze the base without dairy and add fresh cream and cheese while reheating. This method helps keep the soup’s creamy consistency and makes it last longer.

Conclusion

Cheesy hamburger potato soup delivers comfort food at its finest by combining simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal. The right ingredients and proper preparation techniques transform this one-pot dish into a rich, creamy masterpiece that delights any crowd.

The recipe’s success relies on a few essential elements. You need lean ground beef, starchy potatoes, and freshly shredded cheese while keeping the right temperature throughout cooking. These components blend perfectly to create a balanced soup that serves 6-8 people well.

Note that thin consistency or separated cheese shouldn’t worry you – these issues have straightforward fixes. The soup’s proper storage helps it stay fresh in your refrigerator for days or freezer for months, which makes it perfect to plan meals ahead.

Once you become skilled at making this recipe, it will earn its place among your favorite comfort foods. The blend of tender potatoes, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese creates an inviting bowl that brings the whole family together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)