For a hot dish on a cold day, nothing really beats a warm bowl of soup. Our Creamy Potato and Hamburger Soup is just what you need. In your slow cooker is the set-it-and-forget-it kind of dinner that feels like a big hug on a cold night. It is so sad that the leftovers won’t be for tomorrow, as it is amazing. It’s got potatoes; it’s got ground beef; it’s got cream; and who could ask for more? All the tastes convey wholesomeness. This means it’s easy to prepare, other than what one might expect; you could spend more time meandering or just kick back lounging. Get your apron on and let’s head into the heart.
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Ingredients
For the Soup:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- Onion (1 medium, diced)
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
- Potatoes (4-5 medium, peeled and diced)
- Carrots (2, peeled and sliced)
- Celery (2 stalks, chopped)
- Chicken broth (4 cups)
- Salt (1 tsp)
- Black pepper (½ tsp)
- Dried thyme (1 tsp)
- Dried parsley (1 tsp)
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened)
- Heavy cream (1 cup)
- Cheddar cheese (1 ½ cups, shredded)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped green onions or chives
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and chopped celery to the slow cooker with the cooked ground beef.
Step 3: Add Broth and Seasonings
Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker and stir in the salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried parsley. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
Step 4: Slow Cook the Soup
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.
Step 5: Make the Soup Creamy
About 30 minutes before serving, add the softened cream cheese to the slow cooker. Stir well to melt the cream cheese into the soup. Then, stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the soup becomes creamy and smooth.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crumbled bacon, chopped green onions or chives, and extra cheddar cheese if desired. Enjoy this comforting and delicious soup!
Serving and Storage Tips
To serve, pair with garlicky toast, crunchy bread, or a side salad.
Leftovers keep well within a day or two in an airtight container in the fridge.
When freezing, cool off entirely before packing the soup in the appropriate container or bag. Store it for about 3 months. Thaw on the countertop for a whole night and reheat on the stovetop or in a microwave.
Helpful Notes
For a lighter version, half-and-half cream suits instead of heavy cream, or any choice of milk will also work as a subsitute for heavy cream.
Load some corn, peas, or bell peppers for multiple bursts of nutrition and stirs of unmatched taste!
To thicken completely, mash some of the potatoes with the cream cheese and cream before adding.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
Alton Brown proposes adding a little bit of Worcestershire sauce for added complexity of flavor.
Ina Garten suggests using Yukon Gold for their creamy texture because the chefs believe the soup is quite delicious.
Rachael Ray suggests topping the soup with fresh herbs to impart a burst of freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey vs ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey is good-or a good alternative.
How do I make this soup gluten-free?
Make sure you purchase all gluten-free rest of the ingredients including broth seasonings.
Can I make this soup in the Instant Pot?
Sure, you can saute the beef and throw everything else in for a 10-min cook on Soup cycle.
What happens if I don’t have cream cheese?
In this case, substitute an approximate amount of sour cream or a heartier Greek yogurtfor a more tangy flavor.
The only question I have left is about the cream and how to prevent it from curdling?
How this problem can be avoided is by making sure that the block of cream cheese is softened first. Gradually work the heavy cream in little by little, making constant turns around all the time.
Can I throw some bacon in the soup?
Yes! Fry some bacon crisp, crush it in pieces and add it or sprinkle it in the soup.
How do I reheat the soup without everything separating?
You want to let the soup reheat gently over the stovetop on a very low flame with regular stirring. However, if using the microwave to accomplish this task, it should be done at 20-30 second bursts and given a good stir at the end.
What can I serve with this soup?
Enjoy crusty bread or green salad with soup, or roasted vegetables can make the second half of your tray.
Is it possible to make this soup without any dairy products?
Yes! In Making a dairy-free soup, you might substitute dairy-free cheese or cream and cream substitutes in addition to witnessing the exclusion of cream cheese.
Is there a way to thicken the soup if it is too loose in consistency?
Mash the potatoes to yield a thicker soup. Alternatively, meanwhile, a weak corn starch slurry could certainly be stirred in. That takes 1 tablespoon cornstarch stirred together with 1 tablespoon water.
Enjoy a crockpot comfort meal of Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup!
