This Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup is the ultimate comfort food. Rich and hearty, the tender potatoes combined with the savory ground beef create a perfectly balanced meal. Velveeta cheese melts into the soup, adding a creamy, velvety texture that enhances every bite. Whether you’re whipping this up on a chilly weeknight or for a casual family dinner, this soup will leave everyone satisfied and asking for seconds. What’s great about this dish is how adaptable it is. You can easily swap out the vegetables, add more spices for an extra kick, or even try different cheeses. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, making each spoonful a delicious experience.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 6 cups peeled and diced Russet potatoes
- 2 cups frozen vegetable mix (your choice)
- 3 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
Directions:
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are soft (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Cook Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer the mixture to a crockpot or stockpot.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Stir in peeled and diced potatoes, chicken broth, frozen vegetables, dried basil, and parsley.
- Crockpot Cooking: Set your crockpot to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. For stovetop, bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 30-40 minutes.
- Thicken the Soup: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and milk until smooth. Stir into the soup to thicken.
- Add Cheese: Stir in Velveeta cheese cubes until fully melted and smooth.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 2 hours (crockpot) | Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Kcal: 400 | Servings: 8
The Ultimate Comfort Food
When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing more satisfying than a warm bowl of soup to cozy up with. And what better way to satisfy those cravings than with a hearty, creamy, and savory soup that’s easy to make and full of flavor? This Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup, made conveniently in a crockpot, is the perfect blend of textures and tastes. It’s a dish that not only warms you up but also fills you up with its rich and comforting ingredients.
The History Behind Potato and Hamburger Soups
Potato-based soups have been a staple in many cultures for centuries. Potatoes, originating from the Andes in South America, have been a global favorite for their versatility, affordability, and ability to blend well with other ingredients. Adding meat, particularly ground beef or hamburger, to soups is a common tradition in European and American cuisines. Ground beef adds a savory richness that balances the starchy, creamy texture of potatoes, making it a go-to ingredient for hearty soups.
Over the years, the marriage of these two ingredients—potatoes and hamburger—has been the foundation of many soup recipes, especially in colder regions where warm, filling meals are essential. This recipe builds on that tradition by adding vegetables, broth, and cheese to create a wholesome and flavorful meal that’s ideal for any occasion.
Cooking Tips for the Best Results
- Use Russet Potatoes: For a creamier soup, stick with Russet potatoes. They break down more easily than waxy potatoes, giving your soup a naturally thicker consistency.
- Don’t Skip the Garlic: Cooking the garlic with the onions and ground beef brings out a rich, aromatic flavor that adds depth to the entire dish.
- Choose Your Vegetables: The great thing about this soup is that you can easily customize it with whatever vegetables you like. If you have fresh vegetables, feel free to add those in place of frozen ones. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Make It Dairy-Free: If you’re lactose intolerant or want a lighter version, you can substitute the milk and cheese with dairy-free alternatives, like almond milk and vegan cheese. The soup will still be deliciously creamy.
Variations and Substitutions
This Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup recipe is highly adaptable, making it easy to tweak based on your preferences or dietary restrictions. Here are a few variations you can try:
- Vegetarian Version: Swap the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You’ll still get the same hearty and comforting feel without the meat.
- Dairy-Free Option: For a dairy-free version, use almond milk or coconut milk for the creamy base, and a dairy-free cheese alternative instead of Velveeta.
- Spicy Twist: If you like a little heat in your soup, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. You can also mix in spicy sausage in place of the ground beef for a bolder flavor.
- Extra Veggies: If you’re looking to boost the nutrition of this soup, try adding additional fresh or frozen vegetables like kale, spinach, or bell peppers.
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup is best served piping hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and flavor. For an extra touch, serve it with some crusty bread on the side—perfect for dipping into the creamy broth. It’s also a great make-ahead meal that you can store in the fridge for up to 3 days, and it reheats beautifully.
Pair this soup with a light side salad or a sandwich for a complete, well-balanced meal. It’s also perfect for meal prepping, as it freezes well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop. This rich, flavorful, and comforting Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or for a special family gathering, this recipe is an easy way to bring warmth and deliciousness to your table.
Why This Recipe is the Best
When it comes to comfort food, this Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup truly stands out for several reasons. From its simplicity to its robust flavors, this recipe checks all the boxes for a meal that will quickly become a household favorite. Let’s dive into why this recipe is considered one of the best:
1. Unmatched Comfort and Flavor
At the heart of this recipe is the perfect marriage of creamy potatoes and savory ground beef. Potatoes, naturally starchy and comforting, form the creamy, velvety base of the soup. When paired with browned ground beef, you get a rich, meaty flavor that satisfies any craving for something hearty and filling. The addition of Velveeta cheese amplifies the creaminess, making each bite smooth and luxurious. This combination makes the soup feel indulgent without being overly complicated or time-consuming to make.
Furthermore, the use of herbs like dried basil and parsley adds a subtle, aromatic complexity that balances the richness of the soup. These herbs bring a layer of freshness that brightens up the dish and complements the deeper, savory notes of the beef and potatoes.
2. Incredibly Easy to Make
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. The ingredients are easily accessible, and most are pantry staples that you likely already have on hand. Whether you’re using a crockpot for a slow-cooked, hands-off meal or preparing it quickly on the stovetop, the steps are straightforward and beginner-friendly.
This recipe is also ideal for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. You can set it in the crockpot in the morning and return to a house filled with the comforting aroma of a fully cooked, hearty soup by dinnertime.
3. Versatility
One of the most appealing aspects of this Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup is its versatility. The recipe serves as an excellent base for experimentation, allowing you to tailor it to your personal preferences. Whether you’re looking to add more vegetables, swap out ingredients for dietary reasons, or adjust the flavors, this soup adapts easily:
- Vegetable Flexibility: You can mix and match your favorite frozen or fresh vegetables. Try adding carrots, peas, or even leafy greens like spinach for extra nutrition and texture.
- Protein Options: While ground beef is the star of this recipe, you can substitute it with other proteins such as ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or more tailored version.
- Adjustable Seasonings: If you prefer more spice, add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a kick of heat. You can also explore adding other herbs like thyme or rosemary to change up the flavor profile.
This adaptability makes it an ideal recipe for families with varying tastes and dietary needs, as you can easily modify it without sacrificing flavor.
4. A Meal for Any Occasion
While this soup is certainly a cozy option for a cold night, it’s also versatile enough to be served on various occasions. It’s hearty and filling, making it an excellent choice for family dinners, but it can also be dressed up for more formal settings. Serving the soup with garnishes like chopped parsley or a drizzle of cream elevates the presentation, making it an attractive option for casual get-togethers or even holiday meals.
Additionally, the soup works well as part of meal prepping. You can make a large batch, enjoy some immediately, and freeze the rest for future meals. The soup reheats well, maintaining its creamy texture and flavor even after freezing. This makes it an economical and time-saving dish for busy individuals and families.
5. Budget-Friendly
In today’s economic climate, finding recipes that are both delicious and budget-friendly is a huge win, and this soup excels in that department. Potatoes and ground beef are affordable ingredients that can stretch to feed multiple people, making this soup perfect for large families or those who want to batch-cook meals for the week. By using frozen vegetables and a small amount of cheese, you can create a dish that’s filling without breaking the bank.
Moreover, since the recipe uses ingredients that many people already have on hand, it reduces the need for special grocery trips, making it a convenient go-to meal.
Conclusion:
The Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a timeless comfort dish that brings together simplicity, rich flavor, and adaptability. With a handful of basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a meal that’s both comforting and impressive. Its creamy texture, savory beef, and tender potatoes make every spoonful satisfying, while the flexibility in the recipe allows you to customize it according to your tastes and dietary preferences.
