I first made this slow-cooked cheeseburger soup on a rainy weeknight and it instantly became comfort-food gold — cheesy, savory, and just like a deconstructed cheeseburger in a bowl. It’s a one-pot slow-cooker meal that turns ground beef, potatoes, and cream cheese into a creamy, crowd-pleasing soup that’s perfect for busy families, picky kids, or chilly nights when you want minimal fuss and maximum flavor. If you love hearty, set-and-forget dinners, this recipe delivers.

Why you’ll love this dish

This soup checks a lot of boxes: budget-friendly, kid-approved, and easy to scale up for a crowd. Cooking it in a slow cooker lets flavors meld while you work or relax, and the final stir of cheddar and cream cheese gives it that irresistible burger-y creaminess without any frying or shaping patties.

“A bowl that tastes like your favorite burger — cheesy, comforting, and unbelievably simple. Weeknight hero.” — home cook review

Quick reasons people search for this recipe: simple ingredients, hands-off slow cooker method, and reheats well for lunches. If you like other cozy soups, you might also enjoy this turmeric chicken soup for a lighter, spiced alternative.

Step-by-step overview

Before you get into the ingredient list, here’s how the recipe flows so you know what to expect:

Brown ground beef on the stovetop and drain the fat.
Transfer beef to the slow cooker and add potatoes, onion, carrots, broth, and cream of mushroom soup.
Season and cook low for 6 hours (or high for 3) until potatoes are tender.
Stir in shredded cheddar and cubed cream cheese, let melt, then serve with burger-style toppings.

This overview helps you prep: browning first avoids greasy soup, slow cooking softens potatoes evenly, and folding in cheeses at the end keeps the texture creamy instead of grainy.

What you’ll need

1 pound ground beef (80/20)
4 small potatoes, peeled and diced (Yukon Gold recommended)
1 small white onion, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
3 cups beef broth
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic (or 2 tsp fresh)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz cream cheese, cubed

Notes and substitutions:

For a leaner soup, swap the 80/20 beef for 90/10 and drain well. If you want more umami, use a low-sodium beef broth plus a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape well in the slow cooker; russets will fall apart and give a thicker broth.
No cream cheese? Full-fat Greek yogurt (stir in off-heat) works as a lighter option in a pinch — it won’t be quite as silky but still creamy.

Step-by-step instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat into a heatproof container and discard (or save for another recipe).
Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker. Add the peeled, diced potatoes, chopped onion, and shredded carrots.
Pour in the beef broth and the can of cream of mushroom soup. Stir in the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar and the cubed cream cheese. Replace the lid so the cheeses melt into the soup and create a smooth, velvety texture.
Give the soup one gentle final stir to combine everything. Serve hot with your favorite burger-style toppings like chopped pickles, diced tomato, crumbled bacon, or a sprinkle of extra cheddar.

Keep instructions short and action-oriented: brown → combine → cook → finish with cheese. That final gentle stir prevents overmixing and keeps the cheese from becoming grainy.

Serving suggestions

Best ways to enjoy it: Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, chopped dill pickle, and a drizzle of ketchup or mustard for a real cheeseburger vibe.
Pair with crusty bread, garlic knots, or a simple green salad to brighten the meal.
For a fun presentation, serve in hollowed bread bowls or alongside oven-toasted hamburger buns for dunking.

If you want to pair with another cozy soup on your menu rotation, try this Autumn Tortellini Soup with Sausage for different textured comfort.

Storage and reheating tips

Refrigerating: Cool soup to room temperature (no more than 2 hours at room temp), then store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezing: This soup freezes well but the dairy can separate if frozen. For best results, freeze before adding the shredded cheddar and cream cheese; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove, then stir in cheeses off high heat. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of beef broth or milk if the soup seems too thick. Do not boil after adding cream cheese to avoid curdling.
Food safety: Reheat until the center reaches 165°F (74°C). Discard any leftovers left out longer than two hours.

Helpful cooking tips

Brown and drain the beef well to prevent a greasy broth. A paper towel-lined bowl helps absorb extra fat if you don’t want to keep it.
Cut potatoes into uniform dice (about 1/2–3/4 inch) so they cook evenly in the same time window.
Add the cheeses near the end and keep the slow cooker covered while they melt — that steam gives a smoother finish.
If your slow cooker runs hot and the potatoes are getting too soft, check early and switch to LOW or reduce cooking time.
Want a quicker stovetop version? Simmer browned beef and vegetables in a Dutch oven with broth until potatoes are tender, then finish with cheeses off heat.

For more make-ahead convenience notes and alternative seasoning ideas, check this helpful recipe inspiration.

Creative twists

Bacon cheeseburger: Stir in 6–8 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon with the cheese, and top each bowl with extra bacon.
Veg-forward: Substitute half the ground beef with cooked lentils or finely chopped mushrooms for a meat-lean version.
Spicy: Add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and a dash of cayenne or chopped jalapeño when you add the spices.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free cream soup or replace the cream of mushroom with a homemade slurry of gluten-free flour and milk.
Cheeseburger chili mash: Add a can of drained diced tomatoes and a tablespoon of chili powder for a tomato-forward twist.

Helpful answers

Q: Can I use frozen ground beef?
A: Yes — but thaw and brown it first for even cooking and to be able to drain fat. Cooking frozen beef in the slow cooker tends to keep it in a gray, unappetizing temperature range too long.

Q: Can I make this without the cream of mushroom soup?
A: You can. Substitute with 1½ cups heavy cream (or a mix of milk + a tablespoon of butter) plus a tablespoon each of cornstarch and mushroom powder/soy sauce for depth, whisked into the broth.

Q: How do I stop the cheese from getting grainy?
A: Add cheeses at the end and melt gently with the lid on. Avoid high heat or boiling after the dairy goes in. Grating the cheddar fresh (instead of pre-shredded) helps it melt smoother because pre-shredded often contains anti-caking agents.

Q: Is this freezer-friendly with dairy?
A: Freeze before adding the cream cheese and shredded cheddar for best texture. Add them when you reheat.

Q: How long will leftovers last in the fridge?
A: Up to 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheat to 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Conclusion

Slow-cooked cheeseburger soup is an easy, comforting slow-cooker recipe that captures the flavors of a cheeseburger in a creamy, family-friendly bowl. For more slow cooker inspiration or source variations, see Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup – The Country Cook and Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup | Butter Your Biscuit.