Creamy Potato and Hamburger Soup

Warm up with a bowl of Creamy Hamburger Potato Soup that’s hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor. This easy recipe brings together tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and rich cheddar for the perfect cold-weather meal. With simple ingredients and a creamy, velvety texture, this soup is great for a weeknight dinner or meal prep!

What makes this creamy potato and hamburger soup so delicious? For me, it brings back memories of the kind of simple, hearty meals I grew up with during the fall and winter. This soup is packed with tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and a mix of carrots, celery, and onions. I love how creamy the broth gets, thanks to a generous splash of heavy cream and melted cheddar. It’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want something that’ll make the whole family happy with plenty of leftovers!

🐄Ingredients for the Best Creamy Hamburger Potato Soup

• Ground Beef: The ground beef provides a hearty, savory base that complements the creamy broth. Its rich flavor adds depth to the whole dish.
• Russet Potatoes: Russets are ideal for this soup as they become tender and almost melt into the broth when cooked, creating a creamy texture that thickens the soup naturally.
• Heavy Cream and Cheddar Cheese: Together, these add a luxurious richness and velvety finish that makes this soup indulgent. Using high-fat cream enhances the creamy texture, while freshly grated cheddar melts smoothly, blending perfectly into the broth.
• Mushrooms, Carrots, Celery, Onion, and Garlic: These classic vegetables form the flavorful base of the soup. They add earthy, savory notes, with a hint of sweetness from the carrots and depth from the garlic, creating a well-rounded flavor profile.
• Broth or stock: Whether its chicken bone broth made from rotisserie chicken, beef broth or vegetable stock, a flavorful liquid is needed to tie everything together.

🥛For the creamiest soup, choose a high-fat heavy cream and freshly grate the cheddar cheese to avoid any additives that could prevent it from melting smoothly. These small details make all the difference in achieving a thick, velvety soup that’s both rich and comforting.

🍲How to Make Creamy Potato and Hamburger Soup (Step-by-Step)

1️⃣Browning the Beef and Vegetables: Start by melting the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef. Browning the beef helps lock in its savory flavor and builds a flavorful base for the soup. Once the beef is no longer pink, add in the diced onion, celery, garlic, and carrots. Sauté the vegetables for 5-6 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their natural sweetness, which complements the heartiness of the beef. The butter adds a layer of richness, enhancing the overall flavor.

2️⃣Incorporating the Flour and Broth: Next, sprinkle the flour over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well until the flour is fully incorporated and no white remains. This step is essential because the flour will act as a thickener, giving the soup a luscious, creamy texture. Once the flour is mixed in, pour in the broth, stirring to combine. Add the diced potatoes, and bring the mixture to a boil. Adding the potatoes before boiling allows them to start absorbing flavors right away and cook evenly as the soup simmers. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 35-45 minutes until the potatoes and vegetables are tender and cooked through.

3️⃣Adding the Cream and Cheese: Once the soup has simmered and the potatoes are tender, it’s time to add the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. These ingredients should be added last to create a creamy, velvety finish without curdling. Stir the cream and cheese into the soup until the cheese is fully melted, giving the soup a smooth, thick consistency. Let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed, then ladle into bowls and serve warm for a comforting, hearty meal.

🍲Crockpot and Instant Pot Instructions

Slow Cooker:

Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then add the onion, celery, garlic, and carrots and cook until softened. Transfer everything to the slow cooker, sprinkle with flour, and stir to combine. Add the potatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, then cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes are tender. In the last 30 minutes, add the cream and cheese, stirring until melted and creamy before serving.

Instant Pot:

Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and brown the ground beef, then add the onion, celery, garlic, and carrots, cooking until softened. Stir in the flour, then add the potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and broth. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release. Open the lid, set to “Sauté,” and stir in the cream and cheese until melted and creamy, then serve warm.

👩🏻‍🍳Tips for a Perfect Creamy Potato and Hamburger Soup

1. For Extra Creaminess: Blend a portion of the soup once the potatoes are fully cooked, then stir it back in to add thickness without extra cream.
2. Use Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes break down more easily when cooked, which naturally thickens the soup and gives it a creamy texture.
3. Cook Vegetables Until Soft: Sauté the vegetables (onions, celery, garlic, carrots) until very tender to release their natural sweetness and build a flavor base.
4. Avoid Over-Stirring: Once the potatoes are added, stir occasionally to avoid breaking them up too much, keeping some potato pieces intact for texture.
5. Adjust Thickness as Needed: If the soup is too thick, add a bit more broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
6. Add Salt Gradually: Because cheese and broth can vary in saltiness, season gradually and adjust at the end to avoid oversalting.
7. Cut Potatoes Evenly: Dice the potatoes into even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly, so every bite has a consistent texture.

🥓Variations and Add Ins

• Loaded Potato Soup Variation: For a loaded flavor, top each bowl with crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
• Vegetable-Heavy Version: To make the soup even heartier, add extra vegetables like corn, green beans, or bell peppers.
• Lower-Calorie Option: If you’re looking to reduce the richness, replace the heavy cream with milk or half-and-half. This lighter version still maintains a creamy consistency while lowering the calorie count.’
• Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables.
• Gluten-Free Option: Skip the flour and use a cornstarch slurry (mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water) to thicken the soup at the end. This creates the same creamy texture without the gluten.
• Low-Carb Version: Substitute the potatoes with diced cauliflower to reduce carbs. Cauliflower will soften and blend into the soup for a creamy, satisfying texture similar to potatoes.

❄️Storage Instructions

Storing: Transfer any leftovers (cooled) to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Freezing: To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for the best results.

Reheating: Reheat the soup gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave in short intervals. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency, and stir well before serving.

❓FAQ

🥣More Soup Recipes

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• Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
• Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
• Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Soup
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