Cheeseburger Vegetable Soup: A Hearty and Flavorful Comfort Food Recipe

Are you craving the satisfying taste of a cheeseburger but looking for a healthier and more comforting way to enjoy it? Look no further than cheeseburger vegetable soup! This hearty soup combines all the classic flavors of a cheeseburger – ground beef, cheese, and those delicious toppings – with a medley of nutritious vegetables. It’s the perfect meal for a chilly evening, a quick weeknight dinner, or a potluck gathering. This recipe is easy to customize, making it a family favorite that everyone will enjoy.

## Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Vegetable Soup

* **Comforting and Flavorful:** The soup captures the essence of a cheeseburger in a warm, brothy form.
* **Nutritious and Healthy:** Loaded with vegetables, it’s a much healthier alternative to a traditional cheeseburger.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal cooking skills.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the ingredients to your liking and dietary needs.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Uses affordable ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
* **Great for Meal Prep:** Makes a large batch that’s perfect for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious cheeseburger vegetable soup. The quantities can be adjusted to your personal preferences.

* **Ground Beef:** 1 pound (lean ground beef is recommended, but you can use any ground meat like turkey or chicken)
* **Onion:** 1 medium, chopped
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Carrots:** 2 medium, peeled and diced
* **Celery:** 2 stalks, diced
* **Potatoes:** 2 medium, peeled and diced (Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes work well)
* **Diced Tomatoes:** 1 (14.5 ounce) can, undrained
* **Tomato Sauce:** 1 (15 ounce) can
* **Beef Broth:** 6 cups (low-sodium is preferred)
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 1 tablespoon
* **Yellow Mustard:** 1 tablespoon
* **Dried Italian Seasoning:** 1 teaspoon
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Shredded Cheddar Cheese:** 1-2 cups, for topping
* **Optional Toppings:** Cooked bacon crumbles, chopped pickles, sour cream, green onions, croutons

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect pot of cheeseburger vegetable soup.

**1. Brown the Ground Beef:**

* In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.

**2. Sauté the Vegetables:**

* Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the ground beef. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

**3. Add Remaining Ingredients (Except Cheese and Toppings):**

* Stir in the diced potatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

**4. Simmer the Soup:**

* Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together.

**5. Add Cheese and Serve:**

* Remove the soup from the heat.
* Stir in about 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Reserve the remaining cheese for topping.
* Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and any desired toppings like bacon crumbles, chopped pickles, sour cream, and green onions.

**6. Enjoy!**

## Tips and Variations

* **Use Different Ground Meat:** Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for the ground beef.
* **Add More Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables like corn, green beans, peas, or zucchini.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the soup for a spicy kick.
* **Add Beans:** Kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans can be added for extra protein and fiber.
* **Use Different Cheese:** Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a blend of cheeses.
* **Make it Creamy:** For a creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end.
* **Slow Cooker Version:** Brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables as directed. Then, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Add all the remaining ingredients (except the cheese and toppings) and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cheese before serving.
* **Instant Pot Version:** Use the sauté function to brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables. Then, add the remaining ingredients (except the cheese and toppings). Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Stir in the cheese before serving.
* **Low-Carb/Keto Version:** Omit the potatoes or substitute with cauliflower florets or diced radishes. Use a sugar-free tomato sauce and broth. Make sure to use full-fat cheese and consider adding some cream cheese for extra richness.
* **Gluten-Free Version:** This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always double-check the labels of your ingredients (especially Worcestershire sauce) to ensure they are certified gluten-free.

## Serving Suggestions

Cheeseburger vegetable soup is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:

* **Serve with a side of crusty bread or garlic bread** for dipping into the soup.
* **Pair it with a simple green salad** for a balanced meal.
* **Offer a variety of toppings** so everyone can customize their soup.
* **Serve it in bread bowls** for a fun and festive presentation.
* **Accompany it with a grilled cheese sandwich** for the ultimate comfort food combination.

## Storing and Reheating

* **Storing:** Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the soup in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions.
* **Freezing:** Cheeseburger vegetable soup can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

## Detailed Recipe Card

**Cheeseburger Vegetable Soup**

A comforting and flavorful soup that combines the taste of a cheeseburger with the goodness of vegetables.

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
* 2 stalks celery, diced
* 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 6 cups beef broth
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
* 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, for topping
* Optional toppings: Cooked bacon crumbles, chopped pickles, sour cream, green onions, croutons

**Instructions:**

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Stir in the diced potatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. Remove the soup from the heat. Stir in about 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
6. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and any desired toppings.
7. Enjoy!

**Notes:**

* Adjust the amount of vegetables and cheese to your preference.
* For a creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end.
* To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

## Conclusion

Cheeseburger vegetable soup is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make, customizable, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a comforting weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party dish, this soup is sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a bowl of this hearty and flavorful goodness! Bon appétit!

## FAQs

**Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?**
A: Absolutely! Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based ground meat are all excellent substitutes for ground beef in this recipe.

**Q: Can I add other vegetables to the soup?**
A: Yes, feel free to add any vegetables you like! Corn, green beans, peas, zucchini, and spinach are all great additions.

**Q: How long does cheeseburger vegetable soup last in the refrigerator?**
A: Cheeseburger vegetable soup will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

**Q: Can I freeze cheeseburger vegetable soup?**
A: Yes, cheeseburger vegetable soup freezes well. Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

**Q: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?**
A: Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (except the cheese and toppings) and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cheese before serving.

**Q: Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?**
A: Yes, you can! Use the sauté function to brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables. Then, add the remaining ingredients (except the cheese and toppings). Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Stir in the cheese before serving.

**Q: Is this soup gluten-free?**
A: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always double-check the labels of your ingredients, especially Worcestershire sauce, to ensure they are certified gluten-free.

**Q: Can I make this soup dairy-free?**
A: Yes, to make this soup dairy-free, use dairy-free cheese and omit the sour cream topping. You can also use a dairy-free cream substitute for a creamier soup.

**Q: What are some good toppings for cheeseburger vegetable soup?**
A: Some popular toppings include cooked bacon crumbles, chopped pickles, sour cream, green onions, croutons, and extra shredded cheese.