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Easy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup: A Kid-Approved Budget Meal

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This slow cooker cheeseburger soup is a weeknight lifesaver that tastes like a classic cheeseburger in a warm, spoonable bowl. It’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and requires minimal effort thanks to the slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (or 1 lb frozen meatballs, thawed and crumbled)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% if needed)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
  • 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: crumbled cooked bacon, chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and extra shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Transfer to slow cooker: Scoop the beef mixture into your slow cooker. Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Add liquids: Pour in the beef broth, milk, and condensed cheddar soup. Stir until well combined. The liquid should just cover the vegetables; if not, add a splash more broth.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
  6. Add the cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cubed Velveeta and shredded cheddar. Cover and let melt for 20–30 minutes, then stir until smooth and velvety. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite cheeseburger fixings: crumbled bacon, chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and extra cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it adds essential umami. Add cheese at the end to prevent graininess. For a thicker soup, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir in during the last hour of cooking. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker cheeseburger soup, cheeseburger soup, easy soup recipe, budget meal, kid-friendly, comfort food, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://milacook.com/easy-slow-cooker-cheeseburger-soup-a-kid-approved-budget-meal/