Spicy Cheeseburger Soup

Name: Spicy Cheeseburger Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts).
Cuisine: Comfort Food Recipes, Comfort Food Soup Recipes, Mexican Recipes, Mexican Soups
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups water; 2 cups cubed peeled potatoes; 2 small carrots, grated; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/4 cup chopped green pepper; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained; 2-1/2 cups whole milk, divided; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 8 ounces cubed Velveeta; 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional; 1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled

This creamy and spicy cheeseburger soup brings my family to the table in a hurry. I love the warming zip of cayenne, but it also tastes terrific without it if you like milder flavor. With a few simple side dishes, this soup is a full meal.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups water
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
2 small carrots, grated
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
2-1/2 cups whole milk, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8 ounces cubed Velveeta
1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the first 9 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in beef and 2 cups of milk; heat through. Combine flour and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add cayenne
pepper if desired. Top with bacon just before serving.

Test Kitchen Tips

Buy several pounds of bacon when it’s on sale. Put the strips in a single layer on jelly roll pans and pop them in the oven to bake at 350° until crisp. Place the strips on paper towels to drain before storing them in single layers in a freezer container. It’s easy to remove only the number of strips needed for a quick breakfast, sandwich or salad. A short time in the microwave reheats the bacon.

Using lean ground beef instead of beef that’s 80% lean saves 45 calories per 4-ounce serving of beef. Lean ground beef is also 29% lower in saturated fat.

Check out 20 more cheeseburger-inspired recipes.

Editor's Note

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 351 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1063mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.

Originally published as Spicy Cheeseburger Soup in Taste of Home April/May 1999

Reviews

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

JGa2595176

Oct 12, 2019

WOW! The reviews did not exaggerate! Great tasting soup, comforting and hearty. Would add a little more garlic next time. We also had a toppings bar with extra shredded cheese, green onions, croutons and bacon. Will be making again, especially in the colder months.
amehart

May 17, 2019

Wow! One of the best soups ever! Super simple to make and smelled fabulous while making it. My family didn't even want to wait until "dinner time" to eat, so we had an early dinner just as soon as this was ready. Definitely adding this to our favorites.
gunslinger

Apr 20, 2019

Very tasty, I like the fact that it makes a small batch. Just enough spice for great flavor.
kredhead

Feb 16, 2019

Really good flavor, I added more of all the vegetables except the jalapeño. Added a bit more water so everything would cook. Doubled the meat, left the rest the same. Used a vidalia chopper to make perfect little cubes of potatoes
tammycookblogsbooks

Mar 5, 2018

This soup is filling and tasty. The spiciness is just right for us.
jetluvs2cook

Sep 20, 2016

YUMM!!!! Will make this again soon!!! I did add a little more water for cooking the veggies, but kept everything else the same! Delicious!
Jujubee1762

Mar 17, 2016

YUM! Super cheesy! Love it! No more to say!
Mystikecho

May 2, 2015

Best. Soup. Ever.My go-to comfort food..every week!
mamaknowsbest

Feb 15, 2015

A classic cheeseburger taste in a soup! This creative soup is a meal in itself. As a volunteer food editor with Taste of Home I love recipes with a creative twist. Spice level was good with my family but would caution to start small with cayenne pepper, a little goes a long way! Perfect soup for a winter night!
hunter6295

Jan 10, 2015

Love it!