Description

A hearty, creamy soup that captures the flavors of a classic cheeseburger using ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. This comforting dish is made from scratch with simple ingredients and offers a nostalgic, home-cooked taste.

Ingredients

Scale

12 slices thick-cut bacon
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, diced
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbsp pickle relish or diced dill pickles
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy and golden brown (8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
Increase heat to medium-high. Add diced onion to the bacon grease and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits. Add diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir constantly until cheese is melted and soup is smooth. Do not boil after adding dairy.
Stir in pickle relish or diced pickles. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with reserved crispy bacon crumbles.

Notes

Shred your own cheese to prevent graininess. Do not boil the soup after adding cream and cheese to avoid curdling. The soup thickens as it cools; add broth or milk when reheating. Pickles should be added at the end to maintain their tang.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 650
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 1200
Fat: 38
Saturated Fat: 18
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 4
Protein: 35

Keywords: cheeseburger potato soup, bacon soup, comfort food, winter soup, creamy potato soup, ground beef soup, family dinner