Hearty Potato & Hamburger Soup Recipe

Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Crafting a hearty potato and hamburger soup brings comfort to chilly evenings.

Tender chunks of ground beef mingle with soft potato pieces in this satisfying blend.

Warm spices create a rich, inviting aroma that fills your kitchen.

Minimal ingredients combine to deliver maximum flavor in every spoonful.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this soup comes together during busy weeknights.

Simple techniques ensure a delicious meal that feels like a warm embrace.

You’ll want to savor each comforting bite of this classic soup.

Potato and Hamburger Soup You’ll Enjoy

  • Craft a Hearty Comfort Meal: This soup delivers ultimate warmth with rich ground beef and creamy potatoes, perfect for satisfying hunger on chilly days.
  • Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Beginners can easily follow straightforward steps like browning meat, creating a roux, and simmering ingredients without complex kitchen skills.
  • Customize with Personal Touches: Sprinkle extra cheese, add fresh herbs, or adjust seasonings to make the recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core flavor profile.
  • Quick Family Dinner Solution: Prepare a nutritious one-pot meal that feeds multiple people rapidly, minimizing kitchen cleanup and maximizing family mealtime enjoyment.

Ingredients for Potato & Hamburger Soup

Meat Ingredients:
  • Ground Beef: A flavorful protein that adds richness to the soup and provides a hearty base.
Vegetable Ingredients:
  • Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that create a deep, savory foundation for the soup.
  • Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that provide substance and a creamy texture to the dish.
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Beef Broth: A rich liquid that helps develop the soup's depth of flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and smoothness to the soup.
  • Butter: Provides a rich, smooth base for sautéing vegetables.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the soup and create a smooth consistency.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.
Optional Garnish Ingredients:
  • Shredded Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Adds extra flavor and visual appeal to the finished soup.

How to Cook Potato & Hamburger Soup

Step 1: Sizzle The Ground Beef

Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces. Once fully cooked, drain away the extra fat and set the beef aside.

Step 2: Awaken The Aromatics

Melt butter in the same pot, then add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the kitchen fills with a delicious fragrant aroma and the onions become translucent.

Step 3: Create A Silky Base

Sprinkle flour into the pot and stir continuously to form a smooth roux. Gradually pour in broth while whisking to prevent any lumps, creating a velvety liquid foundation.

Step 4: Simmer The Potatoes

Add the ingredients:
  • Diced potatoes
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Smoked paprika

Allow the mixture to simmer for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes become tender and soft.

Step 5: Blend And Finish

Mix in the cooked ground beef and heavy cream.

Stir and heat until the soup is thoroughly warmed and reaches a creamy consistency.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Optional garnishes:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Fresh chopped parsley

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips to Improve Potato & Hamburger Soup

  • Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a lighter soup texture.
  • Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the soup.
  • Experiment with different cheese toppings like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda for added flavor complexity.
  • Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lower-calorie version of the soup.
  • Season carefully and taste the soup before serving, adjusting salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Flavor Swaps for Potato & Hamburger Soup

  • Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content and create a lighter soup.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and olive oil in place of butter for lactose-intolerant individuals.
  • Spicy Mexican-Style Soup: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and top with cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.

What Goes Well with Potato & Hamburger Soup

  • Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with crusty sourdough bread for dipping and soaking up the rich, creamy broth.
  • Comfort Food Platter: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add fresh texture.
  • Game Night Comfort Bowl: Top with extra sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and green onions for a loaded potato soup experience that transforms the dish into a crowd-pleasing favorite.
  • Winter Warming Station: Ladle the soup into large mugs for easy handling, perfect for casual gatherings or movie nights when everyone wants something warm and satisfying.

Storing Potato & Hamburger Soup the Right Way

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Transfer soup to shallow, wide containers to help it cool quickly and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Keep cream-based soups sealed tightly to maintain flavor and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
  • Avoid freezing this soup, as cream-based recipes tend to separate and lose texture when thawed.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken works great as substitutes for beef in this soup, offering a leaner protein option.

  • Is this soup gluten-free?

No, the recipe contains flour for thickening. To make it gluten-free, you can replace wheat flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.

  • How can I make the soup healthier?

Use lean ground beef, reduce the amount of butter, and swap heavy cream with half-and-half or milk to lower the fat content.

  • Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, you can freeze it without the cream. Add fresh cream after reheating for the best texture and flavor when serving.

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Hearty Potato & Hamburger Soup Recipe

Hearty Potato & Hamburger Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty potato and hamburger soup delights comfort food enthusiasts with its rich, satisfying blend of ground beef and tender potatoes. Home cooks can savor this classic one-pot meal that warms from within and brings families together around the dinner table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
  • 4 cups (960 milliliters) potatoes, diced
  • 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken or beef broth
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Thickeners and Toppings:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, ensuring no pink remains. Carefully drain and reserve the meat.
  2. In the identical pot, melt butter and gently sauté onions and garlic until aromatic and translucent.
  3. Dust flour over the sautéed vegetables, whisking continuously to form a smooth, golden roux that prevents lumps.
  4. Gradually incorporate broth, stirring consistently to create a silky, homogeneous liquid base.
  5. Add diced potatoes, seasoning with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender.
  6. Reintroduce the cooked ground beef into the pot, then pour in heavy cream, stirring gently to integrate all flavors.
  7. Allow the soup to warm thoroughly, ensuring even heat distribution without boiling.
  8. For an elegant finish, garnish with sharp shredded cheese and freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Notes

  • Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture and rich flavor profile.
  • Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch as a roux substitute for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the soup remains thick and creamy.
  • Consider reducing cream or using half-and-half to lower the fat content without sacrificing the luxurious mouthfeel of the soup.
  • Enhance nutritional value by adding chopped carrots or celery during the sautéing stage for extra vegetables and depth of flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 355 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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