Fitness / March 31, 2024

Cheeseburger Soup

Try out this tasty new twist on an old favorite!

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Hey, I see you. Don’t you dare leave this page! Yes, you read that headline correctly—cheeseburger soup. It sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? What if I called it something French, like soupe au fromage burger? Well, whatever you want to call it, this soup is delicious. It gives you all the flavor of a cheeseburger but in soup form. The soup belongs on the menu of your local diner and the fancy 3 Michelin star restaurant you go to once a year for anniversaries. And actually, it looks kinda pretty in your soup bowl, too.

In case you’re still wondering what this recipe tastes like, I’ll hold off the suspense—it tastes like a cheeseburger with an emphasis on the simile, like. Because, above all, it’s a soup, and I’d be remiss not to elevate the flavor. For starters, I add all the usual soup suspects like carrots, celery and onion. Then I pour in tangy Greek yogurt and sharp cheddar cheese into the broth along with potatoes so it’s nice and thick. The combination of these ingredients, along with a few spices, and you’ll have a soup that makes you feel like a kid again.

Is Cheeseburger Soup Healthy?

While cheeseburger soup isn’t low fat, it does provide you with a healthy serving of vegetables and protein. There is some saturated fat due to the cheese, beef, and butter, but I feel like the nutritional value of the ingredients trumps the caloric content. After all, one serving of this soup is under 400 calories. That said, you could reduce the amount of butter. Also, ground turkey or chicken is always an option if you prefer. Lean bison meat works as well.

Paying Homage to the cheeseburger

When I love a particular food so much, I try to find ways to pay homage to it. I suppose that’s why I created this soup. The key to cheeseburger soup, or really any recipe derived from another food, is not to copy the flavor and texture exactly. If that were the case, I’d just go out for a cheeseburger. It’s more about capturing the essence of the flavors and everything else you love about it.

For example, I add diced potatoes to the soup, which not only thickens the broth but also acts as my stand-in for fries. And for mustard? I don’t use mustard, because mustard in a soup? I’m not sure about that. Instead, for that tang we all love, I add Greek yogurt, which also contributes to the soup’s creaminess. So, as you can see, it’s less about directly mimicking a cheeseburger and more about creating a new dish that delivers the comfort and nostalgic taste we all love. Call me demanding, but I want this soup to be both familiar and excitingly new.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups skim milk
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

INSTRUCTIONS

Brown

Cook the lean ground beef until browned, then set aside.

Sauté

Melt butter in the pot and sauté the veggies with herbs until tender.

Simmer

Add broth, potatoes, and beef to the pot. Simmer until potatoes are soft.

Thicken

Create a roux with butter and flour, then add to the soup to thicken.

Melt

Stir in cheese and milk until melted, then blend in Greek yogurt off heat.

Serve

Enjoy your bowl of hearty Cheeseburger Soup!

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

After making the soup (and letting it cool), store it in your preferred container—I like glass because it heats more evenly. Whatever you choose, the soup should remain fresh in your fridge for 3 to 5 days.

Could I add burger Toppings to this soup?

That’s a great idea! I like adding pickle slices and mushrooms to mine. Bacon is tasty, too. For a “ketchup,” I’ll sprinkle diced tomatoes.

What could I Dip in this soup?

Still craving a bun for your “cheeseburger”? I like dipping a crusty bread, preferably sourdough. Bonus points if you purchase your bread from a local artisan bakery because they’re the best! Otherwise, oyster crackers offer a satisfying crunch as well.

I like it when my soup has a Kick to it.

Me too! Sprinkle in some cayenne pepper and/or your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.

Serving Suggestions

Like I said in the FAQs, a crusty bread is perfect for this soup. Also, I have several savory oyster cracker recipes that would make for tasty toppers. Or, if you want to bake something yourself, my easy air fryer biscuits are good little soup dippers. And for a healthy side, check out my salads—this cabbage salad or broccoli salad should do the trick.

Cheeseburger Soup

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Soup

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 383kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups skim milk
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the onion, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley until the vegetables are tender.
Pour in the chicken broth, add the diced potatoes, and return the cooked beef to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
In a separate small skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and whisk in the whole wheat flour. Stir continuously for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is bubbly. Add this thickener to the soup, bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Then, reduce the heat to low.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper to the soup. Continue to cook and stir until the cheese is completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in the Greek yogurt until well combined.
DEVOUR!