Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup


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This Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup is a family favorite cheesy soup filled with cooked ground beef, potatoes, shredded Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, veggies, and seasonings – it may be the most decadent soup you’ll ever try!

cheeseburger soup in the crockpot with a spoon in it.

Not only is this slow cooker cheeseburger soup a delicious one-pot meal, but it’s also perfect to have any time of the year. You’ll notice that the soup is relatively thick, but I don’t add flour. Instead, I use a combination of chicken broth with Velveeta cheese and cream cheese added toward the end of cooking time. I’ve perfected this slow cooker recipe for you to enjoy.

This is an excellent soup for feeding a crowd during a party, for it’s indulgent party food! It’s very similar to the flavors in rotel dip.

Key Ingredients

This from-scratch cheeseburger soup (well, except for the Velveeta) is easy to put together. See the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.

  • Ground Beef: For less grease when browning, opt for lean ground beef.
  • Chicken Broth: Using a broth will help create a soupy texture and also give the cheese a substance to help with melting.
  • Vegetables: Russet potatoes, carrots, celery, and an onion are added for additional flavor and heartiness to the cheeseburger soup.
  • Cheese: Velveeta is the best choice for a smooth soup. Cream cheese is also used as a thickening agent. If you want a cheese-free soup, try my slow cooker hamburger soup.
  • Seasonings: Oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper are classic soup seasonings that add the perfect flavor.
Ingredients for cheeseburfer soup on a table.

How to Make Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

  1. Slow cook the beef, veggies, and seasonings in broth until tender.
  2. Melt in the cheeses toward the end.
  3. Stir until smooth and serve.

Tips & Variations

This recipe can be adapted to your tastes, see how to do it:

  • Potato Swap: Any potato variety works (red, white or gold!). Just be sure to dice them into small cubes so they cook in the allotted time.
  • Meat Swap: Ground turkey or chicken can be used but it won’t be as flavorful as ground be would be. Make this bacon cheeseburger soup by adding 8 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon.
  • More Veggies: Other vegetables that are great are leeks, mushrooms and green beans.
  • Broth Change: You can use beef broth, but I find it overpowers soup recipes like this one.
side view of cheeseburger soup in a black slow cooker.

How to Serve Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

You don’t need much else to enjoy this soup, but here are my favorite ways to eat:

  • Since this is a “cheeseburger” soup, you can add burger-like toppings such as sliced dill pickle, crumbled bacon, coarsely chopped lettuce, and extra shredded cheddar cheese.
  • You can keep it in classic soup form by adding optional toppings like chopped green onions, bacon bits, and sour cream. You can also add crunchy toppings like saltine crackers, tortilla chips, or croutons.
  • Serve it with homemade garlic bread or cornbread to make it an entire meal. We love to make a loaf of bread in our bread maker.
Bowl of cheeseburger soup in front of a slow cooker.

Can I freeze Cheeseburger Soup?

Yes — you can freeze cheeseburger soup, but keep in mind that soups with potatoes and dairy can change texture after thawing. The potatoes may soften more, and the cheese base can separate slightly. For best results eat within a few days to avoid having to freeze.

Can I use shredded cheese instead of Velveeta?

You can swap Velveeta for freshly shredded sharp cheddar if you prefer. Use about one pound, and stir it in slowly after adding the cream cheese. The texture won’t be as silky, but the flavor will still be delicious.

side view of cheeseburger soup in a black slow cooker.

Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

4.80 from 30 votes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Ultra-creamy cheeseburger soup made in the crockpot! Packed with flavor, it’s the ultimate comfort food everyone will request again and again!
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How to Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
  • 2 russet potatoes, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery ribs, peeled and diced
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 lb. Velveeta cheese, (add towards the end of the cooking time)
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, (add towards the end of the cooking time)

Instructions 

  • (note before starting this recipe, the total slow cooking time is 8 hours, the Velveeta cheese and cream cheese are added at the 7th hour and cooked for 1 more hour)
  • Add the cooked beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt, pepper, basil, garlic powder and chicken broth. DO NOT add Velveeta cheese and cream cheese yet.
  • Cover and cook and LOW for 7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. (Can cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender).
  • Cut the velveeta cheese and cream cheese into cubes, add to the soup in the slow cooker. Stir to get the cubes into the soup (they won’t melt straight away).
  • Cover and cook for one more hour on low.
  • Stir until the cheeses are blended into the soup. Serve and enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

Add any remaining soup to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop until warmed throughout.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1495mg | Potassium: 821mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3555IU | Vitamin C: 11.6mg | Calcium: 390mg | Iron: 2.4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More slow cooker soup recipes!

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For something lighter, Weight Loss Soup is full of fresh vegetables in a satisfying broth.

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Recipe Rating




148 Comments

  1. Julia says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I love that it doesn’t skimp on the veggies like so many other soup recipes do. I did leave out the cream cheese but will try it with next time to see how it compares.

  2. Olivia says:

    Can this be cooked on high?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! I would do 3.5-4 hours on high.

      1. Stephanie says:

        Hi! If on high would you still add the Velveeta and cream cheese an hour before end of cook time? Or cook 3.5 – 4 on high then add cheeses?

      2. Sarah Olson says:

        I would cook for 3.5-4 hours, then add the cheeses. It takes that long for the potatoes to become tender.

      3. Stephanie says:

        Hi! If on high would you still add the Velveeta and cream cheese an hour before end of cook time? Or cook 3.5 – 4 on high then add cheeses?

  3. Rita Hardin says:

    Would love to try your Recipes!

  4. Anja says:

    5 stars
    First time I tried this. Tweaked it slightly, by using potatoes O’Brien ( frozen with onions and peppers) and added a can of nacho cheese soup. I also mashed everything before adding cheese. Everyone enjoyed it.

  5. James says:

    I’m in the UK and I have no idea what Velveeta cheese is. What are suitable alternatives please?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Can you find American cheese? If not you can stir in shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded, not bagged).

  6. Mimzy777 says:

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. I followed the recipe exactly, it also looked just like the video. We were very happy with it. Its a nice change from the tomato based soups. I will definitely be making it again

  7. Anonymous says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! I’ll probably throw a couple jalapeños in next time.

  8. Jay says:

    5 stars
    My favorite soup for cold new England weather!!!

  9. Robin says:

    We love this! It has been one of our go-to’s for several months!!

    1. Alyssa Tyser says:

      5 stars
      Me and my BF love this recipe. He is always begging me for it. I just grab a Moirpox mix from Walmart and use that with frozen potatoes instead of chopping a bunch of veggies. Makes it quick easy and delicious. This is a hearty filling soup as well. I can’t get down how to cook it on high, when I cook on high for 5 hours adding the cheeses at the 4th hour everything isn’t done and it usually needs another hour and half.

  10. Anonymous says:

    4 stars
    Very yummy but way too cheesy for us!! I think next time I will half the cheese.

    1. Heather says:

      5 stars
      One of our favorites,too, but I use more broth and less cream cheese! I chop up the veggies ahead of time and freeze them. I also have had good success using (home) canned potatoes.