Hearty Cheesy Beef Soup: My Comforting Family Recipe (Print Version)

Hearty Cheesy Beef Soup is pure comfort! Discover my personal recipe for a rich, beefy, and oh-so-cheesy soup that warms the soul on chilly evenings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Gluten (if served with bread)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85/15 or 80/20)
03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 - 3-5 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 4 cups (960ml) beef broth, low sodium
06 - 1 (14.5 oz / 411g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened, full-fat
08 - 2 cups (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

→ Flavor Boosters

09 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Extras

12 - 1/4 cup heavy cream (for extra richness)
13 - Green onions or fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (for a little kick)

# Instructions:

01 - Get your big pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add a tiny splash of oil, then throw in that ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and let it get beautifully brown and crispy. This is where all the flavor starts for our Hearty Cheesy Beef Soup, so don't rush it! Drain off any excess fat – I usually just tilt the pot and spoon it out.
02 - Reduce the heat to medium. Toss in your chopped yellow onion and cook until it softens and turns translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and dried thyme. Stir constantly for about a minute until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Don't let it burn, or your soup will have a bitter note, and nobody wants that!
03 - Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (undrained!), and Worcestershire sauce. Give it a good stir, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that's called fond, and it's pure flavor! Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. This allows all those flavors to meld beautifully.
04 - Take the pot off the heat for a moment. Add the softened cream cheese to the simmering Hearty Cheesy Beef Soup. Whisk it in until it's completely smooth and dissolved into the broth. This step might take a minute or two, but it's worth it for that velvety texture. Make sure there are no lumps! If you're adding heavy cream, this is a good time to stir it in too.
05 - Return the pot to very low heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, until it's fully melted and incorporated. Keep stirring gently; you want it creamy, not clumpy. Taste and adjust your salt and pepper. This is your chance to make this Hearty Cheesy Beef Soup *perfectly* seasoned for your palate!
06 - Ladle the warm, comforting soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh green onions or parsley, if you're feeling fancy. Sometimes I serve it with a crusty piece of bread for dipping, or even some tortilla chips for a little crunch. Enjoy that rich, comforting goodness! It's truly a bowl of happiness.

# Notes:

01 - Always brown your beef really well to develop deep, rich flavors – don't skimp on this step!
02 - For an extra creamy soup, stir in a quarter cup of heavy cream right before adding the cheddar.
03 - If you're feeling wild, add a pinch of smoked paprika with the thyme for a subtle smoky note.
04 - Don't drain the diced tomatoes; the liquid is essential for flavor and body.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
02 - Whisk
03 - Ladle

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 30g

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