Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A decadent, creamy soup that captures the essence of a cheeseburger in a comforting bowl, with smoky bacon, ground beef, and melted cheddar. This american-inspired soups (keto) ready in about 40 minutes pairs chopped bacon, (450g) ground beef, medium, diced (1 cup) onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving

Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

4 slices, chopped bacon
1 lb (450g) ground beef
1 medium, diced (1 cup) onion
2 cloves, minced garlic
1 cup (240ml) beef broth
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
1/4 cup (25g), shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried thyme
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
2 tbsp, chopped fresh chives

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 2 tbsp of bacon fat in the pot.
Step 2: Add the ground beef to the pot with the bacon fat, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
Step 3: Add the diced onion and cook for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, then bring to a simmer. Add the dried thyme and cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Step 5: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese, then cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through.
Step 6: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the cooked bacon.
Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with fresh chives.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger Soup take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped bacon from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger Soup keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.