This Crock Pot Hamburger Potato Soup is everything you want in a family meal—simple, hearty, and full of cozy flavors! It’s the kind of dinner you can toss together in the morning and let the slow cooker do its thing all day. The kids love it because it’s creamy and full of potatoes and ground beef (hello, comfort food!), and you’ll love it because it’s super easy to make. It’s perfect for chilly nights or when you just want something warm and filling without a ton of effort. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for browning beef)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Pro Tips
- Brown the Beef First: Browning the ground beef before adding it to the Crock Pot adds a deeper flavor. Plus, it helps get rid of excess grease.
- Cut Evenly: Dice the potatoes and veggies into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Thickening Trick: To thicken the soup, whisk the flour into the milk before adding it. It’ll prevent lumps!
- Don’t Overcrowd: If your slow cooker is smaller, cut this recipe in half so everything cooks evenly.
- Kids Love Cheese: Add shredded cheddar or parmesan on top for extra kid appeal!
Tools You’ll Need
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet (for browning the beef)
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Whisk
Substitutions and Variations
- Ground turkey or chicken can replace beef for a leaner option.
- Swap sweet potatoes for regular potatoes for a twist.
- Add a cup of corn or peas for extra veggies.
- Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can chop all the veggies and brown the ground beef the night before. In the morning, just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic!
Instructions
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease and set aside.
2. Prep the Veggies
Peel and dice potatoes, slice carrots, chop celery, and dice the onion.
3. Assemble in the Crock Pot
Add browned ground beef, diced potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the Crock Pot. Pour in the beef broth. Stir to combine.
4. Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
5. Make It Creamy
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk flour into milk until smooth, then stir it into the Crock Pot along with the heavy cream. Let it cook for another 30 minutes to thicken.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with crackers or crusty bread.
Leftovers and Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. It also freezes well—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Wrap-Up
There you have it—Crock Pot Hamburger Potato Soup that’s easy, comforting, and totally family-approved! I hope this becomes one of your go-to dinners like it has for us. If you try it, let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Don’t be shy to share your tips or ask questions—I’d love to hear from you!
