The dutch oven was perched over an open flame. Ground beef sizzled inside of it and became browned and crumbly. The cooked beef was poured into a colander to drain the fat. Veggies softened in the pan and then the beef and some potatoes joined in along with them. Water and seasonings were poured in and simmered for a bit. Milk was added for creaminess. Then came the final and glorious addition of sharp cheddar cheese. It melted as it was stirred in and soon Cheeseburger Chowder was ready to enjoy.
Ah yes, cheese, glorious cheese! It is something my kitchen is never without. Cheddar, goat, blue, and parmesan are always on hand. I sprinkle cheese on salads, bake it in bread, melt it in paninis, top it on pasta, snack on it, and stir it in to soups. How to cook with cheese? My main tip is to get quality cheese. The quick and convenient processed or pre-shredded cheese can sometimes separate and not be as smooth. The flavor of quality cheese is worth it too.
How is the cheeseburger chowder? It is hearty, creamy, and has all the flavors and elements of a cheeseburger with fries. Serve it with slices of French bread with melted cheese on top for the bread factor. I was excited to make it for my husband who really enjoys burgers. We sat down at the table and he looked and asked "white chicken chili?". When I told him what it was he had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. Come to find out he had a cheeseburger and fries for lunch. This is something that happens frequently - I wind up making the same or similar thing for dinner that he had for lunch. Anyway, he very much enjoyed the chowder and it will be something I'll make for him again.
How much do you enjoy cheese? Sunday Supper is once again partnering with American Family Insurance to encourage people to cook and share meals at the family dinner table. We are celebrating cheese and what a great event it is! Scroll down to find links to recipes with cheese by Sunday Supper contributors. Also, check out AmFam's Back To The Family Dinner Table Pinterest board for more recipes and inspiration for family meals. The board is a great resource when searching for what to cook for either a Weekday Supper or Sunday Supper.
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Cheeseburger Chowder
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
- 2 medium potatoes 2 cups, peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon instant beef bouillon granules
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper plus more if needed
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk divided
- 1 ½ cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese 6 ounces
- Salt
- Additional grated sharp Cheddar cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan, breaking up with a spoon while browning. Once browned, drain beef using a colander or strainer.
- Add the oil to the saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and green pepper. Cook until vegetables have softened and onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked beef, potatoes, bouillon, water, and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
- In a small cup, add the flour and pour in ½ cup milk. Stir or whisk to combine thoroughly (no lumps). Add milk/flour mixture and remaining milk to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
- Add cheese and stir until cheese melts. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with additional grated cheese as a garnish if desired.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens All-Time Favorite Beef Recipes cookbook published in 1977 (out of print).
Here are more recipes with cheese by Sunday Supper contributors:
- Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Soup by Chocolate Moosey
- Fettucine Pumpkin Cauli-fredo by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Cheeseburger Chowder by Magnolia Days
- Three Cheese Lasagna with Meat Sauce by Webicurean
- Japanese Grilled Cheese & Kale Salad by NinjaBaking.com
- Cheesy Ham and Potato Bake by Country Girl in the Village
- Spinach Feta Greek Impossible Pie by Shockingly Delicious
- Cheesy Vegetarian Enchilada Soup by Curious Cuisiniere
- Steakhouse Bacon Alfredo Pasta by Juanita's Cocina
- 3 Cheese Pumpkin Mac and Cheese by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Cheddar Popcorn Soup by MarocMama
- Broccoli, Mushroom & Cheese Strata by Momma's Meals
- Chili Relleno Casserole by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- French Onion and Apple Soup by Supper for a Steal
- Cheesy Italian Sausage & Kale Quiche by girlichef
- Lighter Stove-top Mac and Cheese by Alida's Kitchen
- Cheddar Potato Dumpling Soup by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Prosciutto, Chevre & Radish Toasted Sandwich by Foxes Love Lemons
- Cheesesteak Poutine by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Roasted Tomatoes and Broccoli Rabe Flatbread Pizza by Family Foodie
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
Your chowder looks so creamy and comforting, Renee. Perfect when winter winds start howling.
Fun story about the serendipitous timing with your husband's lunch. Bet your dinner was tastier =)
I know my dinner was tastier than a regular burger. It was far more comforting too.
Now THIS is a chowder my family would adore!!! Perfect for a chilly night's dinner!!!
Thanks Liz and I hope you super picky husband enjoys it.
I have been seeing recipes for cheeseburger soup and I am very intrigued. Sounds great! Need to try soon.
Thanks Lane
Wow this looks fabulous! What a great combo of yumminess!
Absolutely! Total yumminess in a bowl.
I've heard of cheeseburger soup but that's usually tomato based, this very different but still looks fantastic!
Now you have me curious of tomato based cheeseburger soup. I need to seek out that too because I do enjoy good tomato based soups too.
My boys are going to love this chowder! We are excited to try it this week.
Thanks Isabel
This looks absolutely comforting goodness. It is a brisk 30F today in my neck of the woods. This Chowder would be a perfect pick me up! Yum!!
It certainly is comforting goodness and would hit the spot on a brisk day or night.
Your pictures are gorgeous, Renee! Cheeseburger in a soup sounds like great comfort food to me!
Thanks so much Cindy for your kind words on my photography. It made my day.
This chowder looks amazing. I'm new to Sunday Supper, so nice to find your blog and all the great links. Pinned.
Thanks you so much for visiting and pinning. I'm glad you found Magnolia Days and I hope you enjoy the other Sunday Supper posts and blogs too.
Ha! All I can think of is that John Belushi skit on "Saturday Night Live"...cheeseburgah, cheeseburgah, cheeseburgah!
You just made me smile Dorothy. I loved those skits.
This looks so incredible! And how comforting for a freezing cold winter evening. I love it!
Thanks Julie
I love this, Renee! It reminds me of that Chunky Sirloin Burger Soup from the company with the red label that my siblings and I adored growing up. I've been "meaning to" make a homemade version for years now. Since you've made one that sounds even better, it's going to have to go on the menu. Yum :).
You could probably make it with small chunks of sirloin so it would be even more like a homemade version of the soup you enjoyed as a kid.
I can't wait to make this for this upcoming week, cheeseburger chowder sounds like it will hit the right spot! 🙂
Thanks Pamela and I hope it does hit the right spot for you.
Mmm, this sounds like something that even Mr. Soup-Is-Not-Dinner would happily devour as a meal. Me too!
Maybe it will be the soup that converts him to enjoying soup as a meal.
Super creative recipe!
Thanks Shaina
CHEESEBURGER CHOWDER??!!! Um yes pleeeease
Thanks Kayle
Awesome! I have seen so many cheeseburger soup recipes all over the place but that used packaged seasonings and processed cheese "food" BLEK!! This recipe however one I would love to give a try. I mean cheeseburger + soup? YES PLEASE!
Glad I could share a recipe with the ingredients you enjoy. I'm not a fan of processed cheese either.
This cheeseburger chowder sounds perfect for the chilly days ahead. Nice photography as well.
Thank you so much Norma
I never would have thought of this dish conceptually. Very creative!
I have to thank Better Homes and Gardens for the inspiration. I haven't looked in that old cookbook in a long time. Amazing what gems one can find in older cookbooks.
I can't wait to try this chowder! I've heard of turning main dishes (lasagna, cheesesteak, etc) into soups, and this cheeseburger one is another great idea.
Thanks Carla and I also enjoy seeing one dish turned into something else like a soup or salad.
What an amazing soup! Can't wait to try it on the next chilly day!
Thanks Jen
This soup sounds awesome--and I think my husband would be on board with this too!
Thanks Anne
Agh, this looks delish! Any kind of soup/broth/chowder that features cheeseburgers is a winner in my book. Heck, anything that features cheeseburgers.
I agree on anything cheeseburger being a winner.
Cheeseburger anything is wonderful, but chowder is a new one to me and sure to be a favorite! This sounds incredible, Renee!
Thanks Alida
My husband would be ALL over this soup! I can't wait to try it out!
I hope both you and your husband enjoys it.
I agree, quality cheese is worth every penny. Seeing people use that pre-shredded stuff just breaks my heart. haha. This looks like an outstanding recipe. I might even sprinkle some lettuce and tomato on top 🙂
Oh yes, and jalapenos on top for a spicy kick would be good too.
Whomever first put cheese in soup was brilliant. Brilliant, I tell you!
I could not agree with you more.
I can't wait for a cold day!
Thanks Karli
I need a big bowl of this, Renee! What a great idea! I often take part of the bun off my burger because it's just too much bread so this is my ideal cheeseburger.
How interesting. Sometimes I take the bun off my burger too. Looks like this chowder is meant for folks like us.
This recipe looks superb! Yummy!
Thank you! It was a hit here.
I substituted ground chicken for the beef and used chicken broth instead of water and beef bouillon. Totally awesome! Family asked for it the next day!
Fantastic! Thanks so much for coming back by and letting me know. You made my day!