Ultimate Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup: Easy, Cheesy & Hearty Comfort Food
Get ready for the ultimate comfort food experience! This incredible Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup brings all the delicious, nostalgic flavors of your favorite cheeseburger into one incredibly satisfying bowl. It’s an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights and chilly evenings, offering a creamy, hearty, and unbelievably flavorful meal with minimal effort. Imagine tender ground beef, crispy bacon, savory potatoes, and a rich, cheesy broth, all coming together in your slow cooker. This easy recipe promises a comforting and creamy soup that’s bursting with flavor from hamburger, bacon, cheese, and potatoes, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
It’s officially soup season! As the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup to chase away the chill. This is the perfect time of year to dust off your crock pot and let it work its magic, filling your home with the inviting aroma of a delicious, simmering soup. Our Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a fantastic journey into classic comfort food, delivering that irresistible, nostalgic cheeseburger taste we all know and absolutely adore. It’s hearty enough to be a main course, yet creamy and flavorful enough to make you feel utterly spoiled.
This soup recipe is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also a fantastic way to utilize ingredients you might already have in your fridge and pantry. It’s designed to be fuss-free, requiring just a few minutes of active preparation before your slow cooker takes over. Once assembled, simply let it simmer for a few hours, and you’ll be rewarded with a rich, flavorful meal that tastes like you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen all day – but without any of the actual work! Your family will be completely filled and eager for second and third servings of this delicious bacon cheeseburger soup.
What makes this Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup truly special is how it perfectly melds all your favorite classic cheeseburger flavors into one incredibly satisfying meal. The rich, savory notes of browned hamburger, the smoky crispness of bacon, and the aromatic depth of sautéed onion form a robust base. This heartiness is beautifully balanced by the creamy textures of tender potatoes, luscious half and half, tangy sour cream, and generously gooey cheddar cheese, transforming it into the ultimate comfort food. But here’s the secret ingredient that truly ties everything together: the subtle, zesty bites of dill pickle scattered throughout. They provide an unexpected zing that brightens the entire soup, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive flavor profile that will have you savoring every spoonful.
Why Use a Slow Cooker for Bacon Cheeseburger Soup?
Using a slow cooker for this bacon cheeseburger soup recipe is a game-changer, especially during the colder months or on busy days. The “set it and forget it” convenience allows the flavors to meld and deepen over several hours, resulting in a more complex and rich taste that’s hard to achieve with quicker cooking methods. The low and slow cooking process ensures that the ground beef remains tender, the vegetables soften perfectly, and the potatoes cook through without becoming mushy. Plus, it keeps your kitchen cooler and frees you up to tackle other tasks while a delicious, hearty meal simmers away, ready to enjoy whenever you are.
Customizing Your Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
One of the best things about this hearty bacon cheeseburger soup is its versatility. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand. For example, if you prefer a leaner soup, you can opt for ground turkey instead of beef. Want to add more vegetables? Diced bell peppers, corn, or even a handful of spinach can be stirred in during the last hour of cooking. You can also experiment with different types of cheese – Monterey Jack or a Colby-Jack blend would work beautifully for an even richer, gooier texture. If you like a little heat, a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can elevate the spice level. Don’t like pickles? Feel free to omit them, though we highly recommend trying them for that authentic cheeseburger kick!
Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings
While this Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup is a complete meal on its own, it’s always fun to serve it with some delicious accompaniments. For extra texture and flavor, garnish each bowl generously with additional crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of fresh shredded cheddar cheese, and a few extra chopped dill pickles. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh chives or green onions can also add a fresh touch. Serve it alongside some crusty bread for dipping, or with a simple side salad to balance the richness. For those who enjoy a bit of crunch, crushed potato chips or seasoned croutons make excellent toppings, mimicking the textures of a burger and fries. This soup is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual get-together with friends.
If you like the sound of this incredibly satisfying slow cooker soup, you might also enjoy my Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole, complete with its special sauce! It’s another easy and hearty meal that your family is sure to love. And for those who adore a classic bowl of warmth, I have some more fantastic soup recipes for you to try out this season:
- Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Hearty Tortellini Soup
- Comforting Hamburger Macaroni Soup
- Effortless 4-Ingredient Potato Soup
- Quick 7 Can Chicken Taco Soup
What Do I Need to Make This Recipe?
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 (28 ounce) package frozen O’Brien hashbrown potatoes (or plain diced frozen potatoes)
- 1 quart beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (for a slight kick, optional)
- 1 (2.5 ounce package real bacon pieces) or 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup half and half (or whole milk for a lighter version)
- ½ cup sour cream (full fat for best creaminess)
- 16 ounces (2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped dill pickle slices
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1: In a large skillet or frying pan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once no pink remains, drain off any excess fat. Add the chopped carrots, onion, and celery to the beef in the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent. Transfer the cooked beef and vegetable mixture to your slow cooker.
Step 2: To the slow cooker, add the frozen O’Brien hash browns (or your chosen potato type), the beef broth, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything gently to combine the ingredients. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or on high heat for 2-3 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
Step 3: Once the cooking time is complete and the potatoes are tender, stir in the half and half, sour cream, the cooked bacon pieces, and the shredded cheddar cheese. Gently stir the soup until all the cheese has completely melted and everything is well blended into a creamy, luscious consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Serve immediately, garnished generously with more crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of fresh shredded cheddar cheese, and plenty of chopped dill pickles for that authentic cheeseburger experience. Enjoy your hearty, homemade Bacon Cheeseburger Soup!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Can I make this soup on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely! To make this on the stovetop, brown the ground beef, carrots, onion, and celery in a large pot or Dutch oven as directed in Step 1. Drain the fat. Add the frozen hash browns, beef broth, and seasonings. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Then proceed with Step 3, adding the dairy, bacon, and cheese. Cook until heated through and cheese is melted.
What if I can’t find O’Brien hash browns?
No problem! You can use plain frozen diced potatoes or even fresh diced potatoes. If using fresh potatoes, you might need to add a bit more cooking time in the slow cooker to ensure they are fully tender. You can also dice fresh Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes into small cubes.
Can I freeze leftover Bacon Cheeseburger Soup?
This soup freezes fairly well, but with dairy-based soups, the texture can sometimes change slightly upon thawing. The milk and cheese might separate a bit, but a good stir during reheating usually brings it back together. Store in airtight containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring frequently.
How can I make this soup thicker or thinner?
If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the slow cooker before adding the dairy and cheese. Alternatively, you can create a slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of cold water, and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking (before adding dairy/cheese) while on high heat. For a thinner soup, simply add a bit more beef broth or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
What kind of ground beef should I use?
You can use any ground beef, but we recommend an 80/20 or 85/15 blend for good flavor without being overly greasy. Make sure to drain off any excess fat after browning to prevent the soup from becoming oily.
Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 28 ounce package O’Brien frozen hashbrown potatoes
- 1 quart beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 2.5 ounce package real bacon pieces or 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup sour cream
- 16 ounces 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped dill pickle slices
Instructions
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In a skillet, brown the ground beef. Add the carrots, onion, and celery to the beef and cook until the veggies begin to soften and the onion turns translucent. About 5 minutes. Drain off the fat and add the beef and veggies to the slow cooker.
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Add the frozen hash browns, beef broth and seasonings to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
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Add the half and half, sour cream, bacon and cheddar cheese. Gently stir until the cheese has melted and everything is well blended.
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Serve garnished with more bacon bits, shredded cheese and chopped dill pickles.
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