Crockpot Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup

This slow-cooker potato and hamburger soup is rich, creamy, and built for an easy comfort-food dinner. Ground beef, tender potatoes, broth, herbs, milk, and cheddar cook into a hearty soup with very little hands-on work.

Crockpot Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup Recipe

This Crockpot Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup combines tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, garlic, herbs, cheddar cheese, and a creamy broth for an easy slow cooker dinner that's hearty, comforting, and perfect for colder nights.

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Course Soup

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef
• 5-6 medium potatoes peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 cups whole milk or half-and-half
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour optional
• 2 tablespoons butter optional
• Chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into crumbles, until completely browned. Drain away any excess grease.
• Transfer the cooked beef to the crockpot. Add the diced potatoes, onion, and garlic.
• Pour in the chicken broth. Sprinkle in the parsley, thyme, basil, salt, and black pepper, then stir everything together.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
• About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the milk or half-and-half and shredded cheddar cheese.
• If you want a thicker soup, whisk the flour into the cold milk until smooth before adding it to the crockpot.
• Cover again and continue cooking for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted and the soup is hot and creamy.
• Stir in the butter, if using. Taste and add additional salt or black pepper as needed.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and top with sliced green onions or chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread or dinner rolls.

Why the slow cooker works so well

Low, steady heat gives the potatoes time to soften and absorb the seasoned broth while the beef stays tender. For a thicker soup, mash a few potatoes in the crockpot before serving. Cheddar is the classic choice, but Monterey Jack or pepper jack can also work well.