Description
A hearty, creamy, and comforting soup made with ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a slow cooker. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it meal is perfect for busy weeknights and cold weather.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 large russet potatoes or 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt to taste
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley, chives, or crispy bacon bits
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables by peeling and dicing the potatoes, carrots, onion, and celery. Mince the garlic.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- In the same skillet, add a little oil if needed. Sauté the onions, carrots, and celery for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic in the last minute.
- Transfer the browned beef and sautéed vegetables to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the diced potatoes, chicken broth, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and oregano. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours (or high for 3-4 hours) until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Do not boil.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with remaining cheese and optional garnishes.
Notes
For best flavor, brown the ground beef and sauté the aromatics before adding to the slow cooker. If the soup is too thin, cook uncovered for 30 minutes or mash some potatoes. If too thick, add more broth. Dairy can separate if frozen; omit cream/cheese before freezing and add fresh upon reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: slow cooker soup, hamburger potato soup, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, winter soup, family meals