Cheeseburger Soup

Now that it is officially September, I think I speak for everyone when I say "bring on the comfort food"!  This soup was SO yummy!  I had never made or tasted Cheeseburger Soup before, but it sounded intriguing.  After looking at a couple different recipes, and doing some combining, tweaking, substituting, and short-cutting, here is what I came up with. It reminds me of a yummy Loaded Baked Potato Soup with hamburger in it...definitely stick to your ribs.  I rounded out this meal with some Homemade Breadsticks and a Ranch Wedge Salad.  SCRUMPTIOUS!  Once you are ready to make some soup, don't hesitate to try this one!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound hamburger
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced green or red bell pepper
• 1/3 cup diced celery
• 24 ounces roasted cubed potatoes (3-4 cups)   I used the Trader Joe's frozen Roasted Potatoes.  I cannot speak to other brands, but if I was making without that convenience item, I would place cubed potatoes, in a bowl and toss with olive oil until evenly coated.  Season with salt and pepper.  Place potatoes on a baking sheet and roast in a 450 degree oven until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
• 1 tsp dried Basil
• 1 tsp dried Parsley
• 2 TBSP butter, melted
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 10 ounces Velveeta (sorry, just no getting around how this stuff melts), cubed

In a skillet, brown hamburger and bacon.  Add minced garlic and cook an additional minute.  Drain excess grease. 
Saute onions, peppers, and celery in skillet with 2 TBSP extra virgin olive until slightly soft, about 1-2 minutes.  Add frozen potatoes and cook until crispy on outside.  If using potatoes you roasted in the oven, continue sauteing veggies until soft and go to next step.
Add meat mixture, potatoes and veggies to a stock pot.  Add chicken broth and dried herbs bringing to a boil.
In a separate bowl, mix together melted butter, milk, and flour until smooth.  Gradually pour milk mixture into boiling soup, gently stirring, reduce to simmer.  Add cheese and let cook until melted, stirring once in a while so bottom doesn't burn.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.  Salt and Pepper to taste.
ENJOY!

This recipe has been linked up at:
Nikki's Nifty Knacks
Frou Frou Decor
Simply Sweet Home
Tidy Mom
Mommy's Kitchen
Delightful Country Cookin'
The Country Cook