🥣 Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup

📝 Description

Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, vegetables, and a rich, creamy broth. It’s thick, filling, and perfect for chilly nights or easy family dinners. This soup tastes like a cozy cross between cheeseburger soup and classic potato soup!

🍽 Servings

Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–40 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 medium)

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 4 cups chicken or beef broth

• 1 cup milk

• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp flour

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but recommended)

• ½ cup frozen corn (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Beef

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
Drain excess grease.

Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

2️⃣ Add Potatoes & Broth

Stir in diced potatoes, broth, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.

3️⃣ Make It Creamy

In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in milk and cream until smooth and thickened (about 3–4 minutes).

Stir this mixture into the soup.

4️⃣ Finish

Add shredded cheese (if using) and stir until melted.
Simmer 5 more minutes until thick and creamy.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

💡 Tips

✔ For thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes before adding cream.
✔ For lighter version, use all milk instead of heavy cream.
✔ Add bacon for extra flavor.
✔ Swap ground turkey for a leaner option.
✔ Don’t overboil after adding dairy — it can separate.

🥗 Nutritional Info (Approximate Per Serving)

Calories: 450–500
Protein: 22g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fat: 28g
Fiber: 4g
Sodium: 700mg

(Nutrition varies based on ingredients used.)

🌟 Benefits

✅ High in protein
✅ Very filling
✅ Budget-friendly
✅ Family-approved
✅ Great leftover meal

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Yes, but dairy-based soups may separate slightly. Reheat gently and stir well.

Q: Can I make it in a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Brown beef first, then cook on Low 6–7 hours. Add dairy at the end.

Q: How do I make it gluten-free?
A: Skip flour and thicken with cornstarch slurry instead.

Q: Can I add more vegetables?
A: Absolutely — peas, green beans, or spinach work well.