Cheeseburger Soup (Protein)

cheeseburgersoupprotein This easy cheeseburger soup is one of those recipes that has stood the test of time. It first hit newsstands in a 1996 publication of Taste of Home magazine and it’s been going strong ever since. the creamy, cheesy soup perfectly captures the flavour of your favourite diner burger. A few hearty add-ins like protein powder, carrots, celery and potatoes add to the soup’s warm and comforting vibes.

½ lb ground beef
4 Tbsp. butter, divided
¾ cup onion, chopped
¾ cup carrots, shredded
¾ cup celery, diced
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1¾ lbs (~ 4 cups) potatoes, peeled, cubed
3 cups chicken broth
½ cup (2 scoops) vanilla whey protein powder (39 g)
8-16 oz Velveeta, cubed
1½ cups whole milk
¾ tsp. sea salt
¼-½ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
¼ cup sour cream

To Serve:
onion rings
thinly sliced green onions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook and crumble beef until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain and remove from pan. In same saucepan, melt 1 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, broth and ground beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Stir in protein powder, cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook until cheese melts. Remove from the heat, blend in sour cream. If desired, serve with onion rings and green onions.

Makes 8 servings (2 qts).

Cook's Notes:

Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is best for cheeseburger soup. You can use a higher-fat blend like 80/20, but be sure to drain off all the excess grease to avoid an oily finish.
Flour and Butter: These ingredients come together to create a roux, which is commonly used to thicken sauces.
Vegetables: the aromatic combination of onions, carrots and celery gives the soup depth and adds a burst of colour.
Potatoes: Use your favourite type of potato in cheeseburger soup. You can even use frozen cubed hash brown potatoes.
Chicken Broth and Milk: the combination of savoury chicken broth and creamy milk gives this soup some serious cheeseburger vibes. For a richer flavour, use half-and-half cream.
Velveeta: We love Velveeta cheese recipes. This processed cheese gives the soup a thick texture and an extra-cheesy finish.
Sour Cream: This tangy ingredient thickens the soup and adds a light acidity to balance all the rich flavours.