This Cheeseburger Soup with Noodles is creamy, cheesy, hearty, and made for cold nights or easy family dinners. It has seasoned ground beef, tender egg noodles, soft potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, cheddar cheese, and a cozy broth that tastes rich without being too complicated.
It gives you the comfort of a cheeseburger, but in warm soup form. The beef makes it savory, the cheddar makes it creamy, and the noodles make it filling enough to serve as a full meal.
This is a great recipe for busy weeknights, winter dinners, meal prep lunches, or anytime you want a simple pot of comfort food that tastes homemade and satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground Beef
Ground beef gives the soup its classic cheeseburger flavor. Use lean ground beef if you want less grease.
Egg Noodles
Egg noodles make the soup soft, hearty, and comforting. You can also use elbow macaroni, shells, rotini, or small pasta.
Onion, Carrots, and Celery
These vegetables create a homemade soup base and add texture.
Potatoes
Diced potatoes make the soup more filling and help it feel thick and cozy.
Garlic
Fresh garlic adds savory flavor.
Beef Broth
Beef broth keeps the soup rich and deep. Chicken broth can work, but beef broth gives a more classic flavor.
Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor. Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded cheese.
Half-and-Half or Cream
This makes the broth creamy. Whole milk can be used for a lighter soup.
Mustard and Worcestershire Sauce
These add a small cheeseburger-style flavor without overpowering the soup.
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups small diced potatoes
- 5 cups beef broth
- 2 cups egg noodles
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup half-and-half, heavy cream, or whole milk
Optional Thickener
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Optional Toppings
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped parsley
- Green onions
- Diced pickles
- Crushed crackers
- Toasted bun pieces
- Black pepper
How to Make Cheeseburger Soup with Noodles
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Add ground beef to a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Cook until browned, breaking the beef into small pieces as it cooks.
Drain extra grease if needed. Leave a little flavor in the pot, but the soup should not be oily.
For food safety, ground meat should be cooked to 160°F / 71°C. FoodSafety.gov also lists 165°F / 74°C for casseroles and leftovers.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Add onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot with the beef.
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion starts to soften.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
This step helps the vegetables pick up flavor before the broth goes in.
Step 3: Add Broth and Seasonings
Pour in the beef broth.
Add mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are almost tender.
Step 4: Add the Noodles
Add the egg noodles to the pot.
Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
Do not overcook them. Noodles continue to soften as the soup sits.
If the soup gets too thick while the noodles cook, add a little extra broth.
Step 5: Make It Creamy and Cheesy
Lower the heat.
For a thicker soup, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small pan, whisk in 2 tablespoons flour, and cook for about 1 minute. Stir this into the soup before adding the dairy.
Add half-and-half or cream and stir gently.
Add cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until melted.
Keep the heat low. High heat can make the cheese separate and turn the soup grainy.
Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, mustard, or cheese if needed.
Step 6: Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls.
Top with extra cheddar, parsley, green onions, bacon, crackers, toasted bun pieces, or diced pickles.
Serve warm.
This soup is best when it is creamy, cheesy, and served right away while the noodles are soft but not mushy.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Soup
Use sharp cheddar for stronger flavor.
Shred the cheese yourself if possible.
Add cheese over low heat so it melts smoothly.
Do not overcook the noodles.
Drain excess beef grease so the soup does not feel heavy.
Dice potatoes small so they cook quickly.
Add more broth or milk if the soup thickens too much.
Taste at the end because creamy soups often need a final pinch of salt or pepper.
Best Noodles to Use
Egg noodles are soft, cozy, and cook quickly, so they work very well in this soup.
Other good options:
- Elbow macaroni
- Small shells
- Rotini
- Ditalini
- Mini bow ties
- Small penne
If you plan to make the soup ahead, cook the noodles separately and add them when serving. This keeps them from soaking up too much broth.
Easy Variations
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Add cooked crumbled bacon into the soup and sprinkle more on top.
Cheeseburger Macaroni Soup
Use elbow macaroni instead of egg noodles.
Spicy Cheeseburger Soup
Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper, cayenne, or pepper jack cheese.
Pickle Cheeseburger Soup
Stir in a small amount of diced pickles at the end for a tangy burger-style flavor.
Extra Creamy Cheeseburger Soup
Add 2 ounces softened cream cheese with the cheddar.
Low-Carb Version
Skip the noodles and potatoes. Use cauliflower florets instead.
Vegetable-Packed Version
Add corn, peas, spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
What to Serve With Cheeseburger Soup
This soup is filling on its own, but simple sides make it feel like a full dinner.
Serve it with:
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Toasted hamburger buns
- Crackers
- Side salad
- Pickle spears
- Roasted broccoli
- French fries
- Potato wedges
- Coleslaw
For a fun cheeseburger-style meal, serve it with toasted bun pieces, pickles, and crispy bacon on top.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can brown the beef and chop the vegetables ahead of time.
You can also make the soup base ahead without the noodles and cheese. When ready to serve, reheat the soup, add noodles, then stir in cream and cheese at the end.
If you make the full soup ahead, cook the noodles slightly underdone so they do not become too soft later.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The noodles will absorb broth as the soup sits, so leftovers may become thicker.
Add a splash of broth, milk, or cream when reheating to loosen the soup.
How to Reheat
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often.
You can also microwave individual bowls in short intervals, stirring between each one.
Do not boil the soup hard after adding cheese and cream. Gentle heat keeps the texture smoother.
Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Soup?
You can freeze it, but the best texture comes from freezing the soup before adding noodles, cream, and cheese.
Dairy can separate after freezing, and noodles can become soft.
For best results, freeze the beef and vegetable broth base. When ready to eat, thaw, reheat, add noodles, then stir in cream and cheese fresh.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Adding cheese over high heat
Cheese can separate and make the soup grainy.
Overcooking the noodles
Noodles keep softening after the soup is done.
Leaving too much grease
Extra grease can make the soup feel heavy.
Using large potato pieces
Large potatoes take longer to cook and can make timing uneven.
Skipping the final taste
A little salt, pepper, or mustard at the end can bring the flavor together.
Freezing fully finished soup
Creamy noodle soups do not always freeze well after dairy and pasta are added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use macaroni instead of egg noodles?
Yes. Elbow macaroni, shells, rotini, or small pasta all work.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Ground turkey works, but the flavor will be lighter than ground beef.
Can I make it thicker?
Yes. Use the butter and flour thickener, add cream cheese, or simmer the soup a little longer before adding cheese.
Can I make it without potatoes?
Yes. Skip the potatoes and add extra noodles, cauliflower, or vegetables.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes. Whole milk works, but the soup will be lighter and less rich.
Can I add bacon?
Yes. Bacon is one of the best toppings for this soup. You can mix some into the soup and save some for the top.
Why did my cheese turn grainy?
The soup was probably too hot when the cheese was added, or the cheese was added too quickly. Lower the heat and stir in cheese gradually.
Is this soup good for meal prep?
Yes, but for best texture, store noodles separately or add extra broth when reheating.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry for thickening.
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