Hamburger Potato Soup

There’s something about a big bowl of my Hamburger Potato Soup that just feels like home. It’s thick, cheesy and loaded with ground beef and tender potatoes, and it’s exactly what I crave in the colder months. My picky teens even love it.

You brown ground beef with onion and carrots, stir in a little flour, then add chicken broth, diced russet potatoes, milk and a pound of Velveeta. Then it all simmers in one pot until the potatoes are tender and the soup turns rich and creamy. Some folks call this cheeseburger soup, and I can see why!

Why My Family Loves It

Have you tried potato soup with ground beef? The beef turns it into a hearty soup that's the whole dinner, not just a starter. It's cheesy, it's made in one pot, and it uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It's a great way to stretch a pound of ground beef on a busy weeknight, and the whole family will eat it. This is one of my favorite ground beef soup recipes and an easy winter dinner made in one pot.

If your family loves hearty hamburger soups, try my Cowboy Soup and my crowd-favorite Italian Wedding Soup too. For hectic school nights, my Busy Day Soup is a big help. And for another great ground beef dinner, don't miss my Stuffed Cabbage Casserole.

Ingredients You'll Need

You'll find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.

• Olive oil: Just a tablespoon to brown the beef and vegetables.
• Ground beef: I use 90/10 lean ground beef, so there's less grease to drain.
• Russet potatoes: They're starchy and break down a little as they cook, which helps thicken the soup.
• Yellow onion and carrots: One onion and two large carrots, diced small. The carrots add a little sweetness and a pop of color.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the soup a fragrant base.
• Salt, black pepper and dried parsley: These simple seasonings bring out the beef's flavor.
• Chicken broth: It makes a savory broth base for the soup.
• Whole milk: It makes the soup creamy.
• Flour: A little all-purpose flour thickens everything up.
• Velveeta cheese: A full pound melts smooth and makes it extra cheesy.
• Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions. We never skip them.

How to Make Hamburger Potato Soup

Step one: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, carrots, salt, pepper and parsley. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Drain any extra grease.

Step two: Next, add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, until it smells fragrant.

Step three: Sprinkle the flour over the beef and vegetables and stir until everything is coated. Then cook for 1 to 2 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste. Later on, this is what thickens the soup.

Step four: Then pour in the chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen all the browned bits, because that's where so much of the flavor is.

Step five: Add the diced potatoes, milk and Velveeta. Bring it to a boil, stirring the whole time. After that, lower the heat and simmer for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring often, until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

Step six: Finally, ladle it into bowls and top with shredded cheddar and green onions. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping.

My Best Tips

• Dice small: Cut the potatoes into ½-inch cubes and the carrots into ¼-inch pieces so they get tender at the same time. Start checking them at about 20 minutes.
• Drain the grease: If you use a fattier ground beef, drain the excess fat after browning so the soup doesn't turn greasy.
• Don't skip deglazing: After all, those browned bits on the bottom of the pot make the broth richer.
• Keep stirring: Stir as it comes to a boil and while it simmers, so the cheese melts smoothly and nothing scorches on the bottom.
• Simmer low: Gentle heat cooks the potatoes evenly without turning them to mush.

Substitutions and Variations

• Ground meat: Ground turkey or ground chicken make a lighter version of Hamburger Potato Soup. In fact, I've made this soup with ground turkey many times.
• Different vegetables: Celery, bell peppers or sweet corn all work well.
• Broth: Chicken broth is my favorite, but beef broth gives a richer flavor and vegetable broth keeps it lighter.
• Creamier: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half.
• Thicker: For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes once they're tender.

What to Serve with Hamburger Potato Soup

Crusty bread is a must for dunking, and sourdough is my favorite. Also, a simple side salad balances out all that cheese. For a bigger dinner, my Honey Butter Rolls are always a hit.

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerator: Let leftover Hamburger Potato Soup cool, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It thickens as it sits, so add a splash of milk or broth when you reheat it.

Reheating: Warm it gently over low heat, stirring often, until it's hot all the way through, to 165°F. Low heat keeps the milk from curdling and the cheese from separating.

Hamburger Potato Soup FAQs

Can you freeze Hamburger Potato Soup?

I don't recommend it. Soups with this much cheese and milk can separate and turn grainy after freezing, and the potatoes get soft. Instead, enjoy it fresh or from the fridge within 3 to 4 days.

What kind of potatoes should I use?

Russet potatoes are ideal because they break down a little and help thicken the soup. On the other hand, Yukon Gold potatoes make it even creamier, and red potatoes hold their shape better if you like firmer bites.

Can I use something other than Velveeta?

Yes. Shredded cheddar or a mix of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar works, but other cheeses don't melt as smoothly. Still, don't knock the Velveeta until you've tried it. In my opinion, Velveeta makes the best potato soup.

How can I make this soup healthier?

Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, and swap the whole milk for a lower-fat milk. Besides that, you can add more carrots, celery or other veggies.

This Hamburger Potato Soup is the perfect comfort food for a cold day. It's hearty and made in one pot, and this Hamburger Potato Soup recipe stays in our regular rotation all soup season long.

More Hearty Soups

• Crock Pot Potato Soup with Hash Browns
• Instant Pot Potato Soup
• Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup
• Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
• Navy Bean and Ham Soup
• White Chicken Chili with Rotisserie Chicken