Description
Midwest comfort shines through this hearty cheeseburger soup, packed with savory ground beef, creamy potatoes, and rich cheese. Warm kitchen aromas and satisfying flavors invite you to savor each spoonful of pure culinary comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 3 cups (450 g) potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups (230 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (150 g) carrots, diced
Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) butter
- 3 tablespoons (24 g) flour
Optional Garnish:
- Crumbled bacon
- Green onions
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, ensuring complete rendering and eliminating any excess lipid content.
- Within the identical pot, transform butter into a silky liquid and introduce finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and julienned carrots, gently caramelizing until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle flour across the vegetable mixture, creating a golden roux that will serve as the soup’s thickening foundation. Gradually incorporate chicken broth while continuously whisking to prevent any undesirable clumping.
- Introduce diced potatoes into the liquid base, elevating temperature until a vigorous bubbling commences. Reduce heat and allow gentle simmering, permitting potatoes to tenderize and absorb surrounding flavors, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Reintegrate the previously prepared ground beef into the developing soup, followed by a smooth stream of milk and a generous cascade of shredded cheddar cheese. Maintain low heat, stirring consistently until cheese dissolves completely and soup achieves a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Temporarily remove the pot from heat source, folding in velvety sour cream for additional richness. Season judiciously with warming paprika, complementary salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Transfer to serving bowls, optionally adorning with crisp bacon fragments and delicately sliced green onion tops for a sophisticated garnish.
Notes
- Create a gluten-free version by using cornstarch instead of flour as a thickening agent for the roux.
- Enhance protein content by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a leaner option.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and controlling salt amounts during seasoning.
- Boost vegetable intake by adding extra diced vegetables like celery or bell peppers for increased nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg