This Crockpot Creamy Potato and Hamburger Soup recipe is the perfect comfort food meal for any night of the week. Easy to make with ground beef, potatoes, veggies, and cheddar cheese, it’s hearty, flavorful, and filling!
Recipe Summary
- What It Is: A cozy crockpot soup loaded with potatoes, ground beef, veggies, and melted cheddar.
- Cooking Method: The slow cooker does all the work. Just brown the beef, add ingredients, and let it simmer.
- Flavor & Texture: Rich, creamy, and cheesy with a hearty, comforting texture.
- Dietary Info: Contains dairy and gluten (can be made gluten-free with swaps for flour and broth).
- Make-Ahead?: Yes, it's perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or make-ahead dinners.
When you’ve got a hungry family to feed, nothing beats the simplicity of a dinner that practically cooks itself! It’s no secret that the slow cooker holds a special place in my heart. Minimal prep paired with mostly hands-off cooking is a win in any busy household.
This creamy hamburger potato soup has all the cozy comfort of a home-cooked meal combined with the convenience of crockpot magic. What’s not to love?! For more easy crockpot meals, check out this slow cooker Greek chicken and this slow cooker chicken stroganoff next.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Filling: Loaded with potatoes, beef, vegetables, and cheese in a rich broth, this creamy hamburger soup makes a complete and satisfying meal on its own.
- Slow Cooker Magic: The crockpot does most of the work, making this a perfect choice for busy nights.
- Family-Friendly: Simple, familiar ingredients and flavors make this dish a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Beef: You’ll need a pound of ground beef (80/20, 85/15, or 90/10 all work). For more slow cooker soups using ground beef, check out my cowboy soup and slow cooker stuffed pepper soup next.
- Potatoes: You can use either Yukon Gold or russet potatoes.
- Veggies: I used carrots, celery, and frozen corn, while onion and garlic add aroma and flavor right from the start.
- Beef Broth: Feel free to use regular or low-sodium beef broth.
- Roux: You’ll need equal parts butter and all-purpose flour to make a simple roux.
- Cream: Either whole milk or heavy cream will make the soup creamy.
- Cheddar Cheese: Feel free to use sharp or mild depending on your preference.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add bacon: Crumble some cooked bacon and stir it in right before serving to add more saltiness and smokiness.
- More veggies: Throw in some more frozen veggies like green beans or peas.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour in the roux and ensure your beef broth is gluten-free.
How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup in the Crockpot
To get started making this creamy potato and hamburger soup recipe, grease your slow cooker with a light coating of cooking spray.
Step 1: Brown the beef. Cook the beef in a large skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Begin adding ingredients to the slow cooker. Add the onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, and celery to the prepared crockpot.
Step 3: Add the meat and seasonings. Add the browned beef and seasonings to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Pour in the broth. Add the beef broth to the slow cooker.
Step 5: Cook. Stir to combine and cook for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Step 6: Make the cream sauce. Thirty minutes before the time is up, add the butter to a saucepan and melt it over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Slowly add the milk or heavy cream and whisk until the mixture is thickened and smooth.
Step 7: Add corn, cream, and cheese. Add the corn, cream mixture, and shredded cheese to the slow cooker. Stir until well incorporated.
Step 8: Continue cooking. Place the cover back on the crockpot and cook for 30 more minutes, allowing the soup to heat up and thicken. Serve in bowls with a side of honey cornbread.
Expert Tips
- Grate your own cheese: Using freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded helps it melt more evenly. The pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that affect their ability to melt properly.
- Don’t skip browning the meat: Browning the beef first helps develop flavor. Plus, if you add the meat to the slow cooker raw, it will clump up as it cooks
- Drain the fat: If you don’t drain the fat from the beef after browning, the soup can become greasy, and the cream may separate.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this cheesy hamburger potato soup as the main course after an appetizer of this salsa pesto or this pineapple habanero salsa with tortilla chips.
- Add a kick of heat to your bowl of soup with a drizzle of jalapeno hot sauce.
- Enjoy a sweet ending to your meal with a Biscoff milkshake or chocolate chip marshmallow cookies.
Recipe FAQs
You sure can! After cooking, allow the soup to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave in 30-60 second increments, stirring in between. Add more broth or milk if it seems a bit too thick. I don’t recommend freezing cream-based soups as they are prone to separation.
Yes! Brown the beef in a large pot, then remove the meat, draining any excess fat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots, and saute until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute for another minute. Add the potatoes, corn, broth, and seasonings, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20-30 minutes. Prepare the roux as directed in the recipe, then stir it into the soup along with the cheese. Cook for a few more minutes, until thickened and creamy.
More Delicious Soup Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Crockpot Creamy Potato and Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups potatoes Yukon Gold or russet, peeled and diced
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by lightly greasing the insert.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks, then drain excess fat.
- Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Add the onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, celery, corn, beef broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until vegetables are tender.
- About 30 minutes before serving, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the milk or cream until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir the roux mixture and shredded cheddar cheese into the slow cooker, mixing until well combined and creamy.
- Cover and cook for the remaining 30 minutes to heat through and thicken.
- Garnish each bowl with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese, as it melts more evenly than pre-shredded cheese.
- It’s important to brown and drain the meat to develop flavor and prevent the soup from becoming greasy. Be sure not to skip this step!
- If you want to make this for meal prep, simply cool the soup and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Jodi says
I made this potato and hamburger soup and loved how hearty it turned out. Every spoonful is rich and comforting.
Karen says
So glad you loved it! It's one of our go-to recipes in the winter!
Swathi says
This creamy potato and hamburger soup is so addictive, I enjoyed it with some homemade pasta.
Nicole says
This is so perfect for the fall weather! I love all that beef, potato, and cheese. Om nom nom.
Karen says
So glad you enjoyed! It's perfect for fall and winter!
Kevin says
This crockpot creamy potato & hamburger soup is total comfort food. Hearty, cheesy, and so satisfying. Just toss everything in, let it simmer, and you’ve got a cozy, stick-to-your-ribs meal.