- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
Provides savory, meaty flavor and makes the soup filling enough to serve as a full meal. Cheeseburger and hamburger soups usually start with about 1 pound of ground beef. - 1 medium onion, chopped
Adds sweetness and depth as it softens with the beef; onion is standard in cheeseburger-style soups. - 2 cloves garlic, minced
Brings aromatic punch and rounds out the savory base. - 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
Create body and heartiness. Diced potatoes are a hallmark of hamburger and cheeseburger soups and cook down to thicken the broth slightly. - 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
Forms the soup’s base. Beef broth echoes a burger flavor, while vegetable broth keeps it lighter; most recipes use 3–4 cups of stock. - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Melts into the hot soup for cheesy richness. Recipes recommend adding cheddar gradually off the boil to avoid clumping. - 1 cup milk (or cream for extra richness)
Adds creaminess and softens the broth; many versions use whole milk, half‑and‑half, or heavy cream for a luxuriously silky texture. - 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
Contributes sweetness and color; corn is often paired with ground beef and potatoes in cheeseburger soups. - 2 tablespoons butter
Used to sauté and enrich the soup; butter is common in cheeseburger soup bases. - Salt and pepper, to taste
Essential seasoning to bring all flavors into balance. - 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Adds gentle warmth and color; paprika or smoked paprika appears in some cheeseburger-style recipes. - 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
Provide freshness and a pop of color at serving time, similar to chives or parsley in other recipes.
Step-by-step instructions
1. Cook the beef
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Cheeseburger soup recipes typically fully brown and crumble the beef before adding liquids.
Drain excess fat if needed, depending on how lean your beef is.
2. Add aromatics
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant. This step mirrors other hamburger soups, where onions and garlic are sautéed with the meat to build flavor.
3. Add potatoes and broth
Stir in the diced potatoes, coating them in the beef and onion mixture. Pour in the 4 cups of broth. Bring the soup to a boil over medium‑high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Hamburger and cheeseburger soup recipes typically simmer potatoes in broth for about this long to soften them without turning mushy.
4. Add cheese and milk
Lower the heat to medium‑low so the soup is hot but not boiling. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, letting each addition melt before adding the next. Gradual stirring and moderate heat help the cheese melt smoothly into the soup, as advised in cheesy beef and potato soup recipes.
Pour in the milk (or cream) and stir gently until fully combined and the soup looks creamy. Avoid boiling after adding dairy to prevent curdling, a tip often given in cream-based soups.
For a thicker, creamier texture, use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to lightly mash some of the potatoes in the pot, as suggested in several cheeseburger soup variations.
5. Season and finish
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter for extra richness, if desired. Add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. If using frozen corn, stir it in now and cook for 2–3 minutes more, until the corn is heated through. Corn is commonly added near the end in cheeseburger-style soups so it stays bright and slightly crisp.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
6. Serve
Ladle the Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup into bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions and a little extra shredded cheddar on top if you like. Similar recipes often finish with herbs and extra cheese for color and flavor.
Serve hot with crusty bread, rolls, or a simple salad.
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