Potato and ground beef soup is a hearty, budget-friendly meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table. This classic comfort food combines tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and a creamy broth that makes everyone ask for seconds.
I still remember the first time my grandmother made this soup on a chilly evening. The aroma filled the house, and one bowl turned into two. That’s the magic of hamburger potato soup. It’s simple, filling, and tastes like home.
This recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. You don’t need fancy ingredients or cooking skills. Just a few basic items from your pantry and you’ll have a delicious meal ready for your family. Whether you call it ground beef soup or hamburger soup, this dish delivers every time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
What You Need for This Potato Soup Recipe
For the Base:
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
• 4 cups potatoes, diced into small cubes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
For Creaminess:
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Optional Toppings:
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Fresh parsley
• Crispy bacon bits
• Green onions
All ingredients are affordable and available at any grocery store. You probably have most of them already.
Instructions
How to Make Ground Beef Soup Recipes Easy
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. The beef should be nicely browned and crumbly.
Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot. This adds flavor without making the soup greasy.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add chopped onion to the pot with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Step 3: Add Potatoes and Liquid
Toss in the diced potatoes. Stir everything together so the potatoes get coated with the beef and onion mixture. Pour in the beef broth and water. Add salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. The potatoes should be fork-tender but not falling apart.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Base
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and a few tablespoons of the hot broth. This prevents lumps. Pour this mixture back into the pot while stirring constantly.
Add the butter and evaporated milk. Stir well and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes. The soup will thicken beautifully.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Taste your soup and adjust seasonings if needed. Some people like more pepper, others prefer extra salt. Make it yours.
Step 6: Serve Hot
Ladle the soup into bowls and add your favorite toppings. Cheese melts perfectly into the hot soup, creating an even creamier texture.
Pro Tips and Variations
Making the Best Hamburger Soup Recipe Easy
Choose the Right Potatoes
Russet potatoes create a creamier soup because they break down slightly. Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape better and add a buttery flavor. Red potatoes work too, but leave the skins on for extra texture.
Don’t Overcook the Potatoes
Cut your potatoes into uniform pieces so they cook evenly. Test them with a fork at 15 minutes. Overcooked potatoes turn mushy and make the soup cloudy.
Use Quality Broth
Good beef broth makes a huge difference. If you use low-sodium broth, you can control the salt level better. Homemade broth takes this soup to the next level.
Make It a Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup
Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese in Step 4. Stir until melted. You can also try cream cheese for extra richness. This turns your soup into a cheeseburger potato soup that kids absolutely love.
Add Vegetables
Turn this into a ground beef vegetable soup recipe by adding:
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup green beans
• 1/2 cup celery
Add harder vegetables like carrots with the potatoes. Add frozen corn in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Spice It Up
For a kick, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño. A splash of hot sauce at the end works too.
Make It Lighter
Swap evaporated milk for low-fat milk. Use lean ground beef (93/7). Replace butter with olive oil. The soup will be lighter but still delicious.
Slow Cooker Version
Brown the beef and onions first. Transfer everything to a crockpot with potatoes, broth, and seasonings. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add the cream mixture in the last 30 minutes.
Freezer-Friendly Tips
This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing. Reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if it’s too thick.
Serving Suggestions
Best Ways to Enjoy Your Hamburger Soup Recipe Easy
Bread Pairings
Serve with crusty bread, garlic bread, or warm dinner rolls. The bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop of creamy broth.
Side Salads
A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness of the soup. Try a Caesar salad or a fresh garden salad with tomatoes and cucumbers.
Toppings Bar
Set up a toppings station for family dinners. Include:
• Multiple cheese varieties
• Sour cream
• Crumbled bacon
• Chopped green onions
• Fresh chives
• Oyster crackers
• Hot sauce
Let everyone customize their bowl. Kids love this interactive approach.
Make It a Meal
This soup is filling enough to be a complete meal. Add a side of roasted vegetables or a simple coleslaw if you want extra nutrition.
Leftover Magic
This soup tastes even better the next day. The flavors blend overnight. Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Conclusion
Potato and ground beef soup is more than just a recipe. It’s a reliable meal that saves dinner on busy nights. The combination of tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and creamy broth creates comfort in every spoonful.
This hamburger potato soup costs less than $15 to make and feeds 6-8 people. You can’t beat that value. Plus, it’s versatile enough to adapt to whatever you have in your kitchen.
The best part? Even beginner cooks can master this recipe. There are no complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. Just straightforward cooking that delivers big flavor.
Make a pot this week and watch it disappear. Your family will thank you, and you’ll have a new go-to recipe in your rotation.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well in this soup. Brown it the same way you would beef. The soup will be slightly lighter in flavor but still delicious. Add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of salt since turkey is milder than beef.
How do I make this soup thicker?
Mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot with your spoon. This releases starch and thickens the broth naturally. You can also add an extra tablespoon of flour mixed with cold water.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Replace evaporated milk with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use olive oil instead of butter. The soup will have a slightly different flavor but remains creamy and satisfying.
What’s the best way to reheat this soup?
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or milk if it’s too thick. Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Can I add bacon to this recipe?
Absolutely! Cook 4-5 strips of bacon first, then use the bacon fat to brown your ground beef. Crumble the bacon and add it back in at the end or use it as a topping.
How long does this soup last in the fridge?
Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The soup stays fresh and the flavors develop even more over time.
Potato and Ground Beef Soup
Ingredients
For the Soup Base
- 1 lb ground beef lean preferred
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups potatoes peeled and diced
- 3 cups beef broth low sodium preferred
- 1 cup milk whole or 2%
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp flour for thickening
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika optional
For Serving
- shredded cheddar cheese optional garnish
- chopped green onions optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Stir in the diced potatoes and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- In a small pan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
- Pour the roux mixture into the soup pot, stirring continuously. Add the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and paprika. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the soup thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot, garnished with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 5g
