Looking for the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening? This Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is guaranteed to satisfy your whole family. It is rich, creamy, and packed with savory flavor.
Everyone loves a classic juicy cheeseburger. Now, you can enjoy those same delicious flavors in a warm bowl. This easy Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup Recipe brings pure comfort to your dinner table tonight.
What Makes This Cheeseburger Soup Special
This dish combines two ultimate comfort foods into one hearty meal. You get ground beef, tender potatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese in a rich broth. It tastes just like a bacon cheeseburger from your favorite diner.
My friends loved this hearty soup when I made it for game day. They could not stop asking for second bowls. It is budget-friendly, super filling, and comes together quickly in one large pot. Kids and adults love this cozy soup recipe equally

Equipment List
- Large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Medium saucepan for the roux
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle for serving
Recipe Overview (Without Table)
- Recipe Name: Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup
- Servings: 6 servings
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: 480 kcal per serving
Ingredients You Need for Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger So:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3/4 cup shredded carrots
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 cups chicken broth or beef broth
- 4 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Guid.
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Place your large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef to the hot pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
2. Sauté the Fresh Vegetables
Melt one tablespoon of butter in the same pot. Add chopped onions, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables become soft and fragrant.
3. Add Broth and Potatoes
Return cooked beef to the pot with the vegetables. Pour in chicken broth and diced russet potatoes. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Simmer Until Potatoes Tender
Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes. Check that potatoes are fork-tender before moving to the next step.
5. Prepare the Creamy Roux
In a separate small saucepan, melt three tablespoons of butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until completely smooth.
6. Thicken the Soup Base
Pour milk mixture into the simmering soup pot. Stir constantly while soup comes to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes until soup thickens nicely.
7. Stir in Shredded Cheese
Turn heat down to low. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted. Turn off heat and gently fold in the sour cream.
8. Season and Serve Hot
Taste soup and season with salt and black pepper. Ladle creamy soup into bowls. Top with extra cheese, crispy bacon, and chopped green onions.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the boldest flavor.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey to make it lighter.
- Add crispy bacon on top for extra crunch and smokiness.
- Use chicken broth for a lighter taste or beef broth for richness.
- Shred your own cheese so it melts smoothly in the broth.
- Add a dash of hot sauce if you like a little kick.
Interesting Facts About Cheeseburger Soup
Cheeseburger soup originated in the American Midwest as a hearty winter meal. It became famous through Midwest community cookbooks and fair competitions.
Ree Drummond, known as the Pioneer Woman, made this rich recipe famous nationwide. Her version focuses on simple pantry staples and maximum comfort flavor. Today, home cooks across the country consider it a winter staple.
Perfect Dishes to Serve With Cheeseburger Soup:
- Garlic Bread or Warm Crusty Rolls: Great for dipping into creamy broth.
- Fresh Green Side Salad: Balance the richness with a crisp garden salad.
- Soft Pretzels: Soft pretzel bites match the cheesy flavor profile perfectly.
- Dill Pickles: Tangy pickle slices bring out classic cheeseburger vibes.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Cool soup completely before storing it.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.
- Add a splash of milk if soup gets too thick while sitting.
- Freezing is not recommended because dairy products can separate.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Saturated Fat | 15 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
Health Benefits
This delicious soup offers great nutritional value along with cozy flavor. Ground beef provides high-quality protein to keep you full and energized.
Fresh carrots and celery offer essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Milk and cheddar cheese supply calcium for strong bones and teeth. Potatoes give you potassium and healthy complex carbohydrates for lasting daily energy.
FAQs about Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup
Can I make this cheeseburger soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can easily adapt this dish for a slow cooker. Brown the beef and vegetables first. Put beef, vegetables, seasonings, potatoes, and broth into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours. Add roux, milk, cheese, and sour cream 30 minutes before serving.
Why did my soup separate after adding cheese?
Cheese can separate if heat is too high when adding it. Always turn heat to low or off before stirring in cheese. Pre-shredded packaged cheese contains anti-caking agents that can cause graininess. Shredding your cheese from a block ensures smooth melting every time.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
You can easily make a gluten-free version of this recipe. Swap all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Cornstarch also works well as an alternative thickener. Use two tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with cold water instead of the flour roux.
What potatoes work best in this soup recipe?
Russet potatoes work best because their high starch content thickens the soup. Yukon Gold potatoes are another great choice due to their buttery texture. Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes. They do not soften as nicely in creamy soup bases.
Final Thoughts
This Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is pure comfort in a bowl. It brings big flavor using simple, affordable ingredients.
Your entire family will love this cozy weeknight dinner. Give it a try tonight! It will quickly become a favorite meal in your home rotation

Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 3/4 cup shredded carrots
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 cups chicken broth or beef broth
- 4 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown the Ground Beef
- Place your large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef to the hot pot. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
Sauté the Fresh Vegetables
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in the same pot. Add chopped onions, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables become soft and fragrant.
Add Broth and Potatoes
- Return cooked beef to the pot with the vegetables. Pour in chicken broth and diced russet potatoes. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer Until Potatoes Tender
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes. Check that potatoes are fork-tender before moving to the next step.
Prepare the Creamy Roux
- In a separate small saucepan, melt three tablespoons of butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until completely smooth.
Thicken the Soup Base
- Pour milk mixture into the simmering soup pot. Stir constantly while soup comes to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes until soup thickens nicely.
Stir in Shredded Cheese
- Turn heat down to low. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted. Turn off heat and gently fold in the sour cream.
Season and Serve Hot
- Taste soup and season with salt and black pepper. Ladle creamy soup into bowls. Top with extra cheese, crispy bacon, and chopped green onions.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the boldest flavor.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey to make it lighter.
- Add crispy bacon on top for extra crunch and smokiness.
- Use chicken broth for a lighter taste or beef broth for richness.
- Shred your own cheese so it melts smoothly in the broth.
- Add a dash of hot sauce if you like a little kick.

Emily Carter is a passionate home cook and recipe creator. She shares easy, family-friendly meals with a modern twist. Her focus is on simple ingredients, clear steps and soulful, delicious food that everyone can enjoy.











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