Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10; browned and drained)
• 3 cup russet potatoes (peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes; about 2 medium)
• 1 cup carrots (peeled and diced)
• 1 cup celery (diced; optional)
• 1 white onion (medium, diced)
• 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 4 cup beef broth (or chicken broth for a lighter flavor)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened and cut into small cubes)
• 2 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded from a block; alternatively, use 1 lb processed cheese block such as Velveeta (a block set with microbial or vegetarian rennet works the same way))
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Steps

1. 1

   Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart, until no pink remains and it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Drain the fat.

2. 2

   Add the browned beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and broth to the slow cooker. Stir once to combine.

3. 3

   Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or on high for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.

4. 4

   Stir in the softened cream cheese cubes and shredded cheddar. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes.

5. 5

   Stir until the cheese melts into the broth and the soup looks glossy. Add Worcestershire sauce if using, then taste and adjust the salt.

6. 6

   Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with toppings of your choice.

Notes

The cheese is added during the final 30 minutes to help keep the soup smooth. A stovetop version is described in the source: brown the beef, add vegetables, broth, and seasoning, simmer 20–25 minutes until the potatoes are tender, then lower the heat and stir in the cheeses until melted. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days; reheat gently over medium-low heat with a splash of broth. Suggested toppings include a pickle and crackers.

Nutrition per serving

• soup
• main
• American
• slow-cooker
• comfort food
• gluten-free
• no flour