Description
This creamy potato and hamburger soup is a comforting and hearty crockpot meal perfect for busy days. Loaded with tender russet potatoes, ground beef, and fresh vegetables, it simmers slowly to blend rich flavors into a velvety broth thickened with milk and flour. A sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese at serving adds extra indulgence, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner that’s both easy and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef (browned and drained)
Vegetables
- 4 cups russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 1 cup carrots (diced)
- 1 cup celery (diced)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
Seasonings and Thickener
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
Optional
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for extra richness)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the soup from being greasy.
- Combine ingredients in crockpot: Transfer the cooked beef along with the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and chopped onion into the crockpot.
- Add broth and seasonings: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients in the crockpot. Stir in salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Cook on low: Cover the crockpot and cook the soup on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or until the vegetables become tender and flavors meld together.
- Thicken the soup: About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together milk and flour in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot to thicken the soup and give it a creamy texture.
- Add cheese (optional): Just before serving, stir in shredded cheddar cheese to add extra creaminess and rich flavor to the soup.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef and 2% or skim milk.
- Adjust salt according to the sodium content of your chicken broth.
- If the soup is too thick, add a little more broth or milk to reach desired consistency.
- This soup freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers.
- For more flavor, consider adding a bay leaf during cooking and removing before serving.
