LOADED CHEESEBURGER SOUP

🍔🔥 Craving the flavors of a juicy burger but in a cozy bowl? Say hello to my Loaded Cheeseburger Soup! 🧀🥓 Packed with ground beef, bacon, potatoes, and a creamy cheesy broth, this soup is easy and quick to make, and it's the ultimate comfort food for cold blustery days, family dinners or game day gatherings.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 lb ground beef

  3 rashers bacon, chopped

  1 large onion, diced

  1 large carrot, diced

  2 stalks celery, diced

  1/2 jalapeño, seeds removed and diced

  1/2 red or yellow bell pepper, diced

  4 tbsp butter, divided

  1/4 cup flour

  1 1/2 cups milk

  3 cups chicken broth

  4 cups peeled potatoes, diced

  1 can (398 ml) diced tomatoes

  1/2 cup diced dill pickles

  2 tbsp dill pickle juice

  1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  12 ounces Velveeta cheese, chopped

  1 1/2 tbsp yellow mustard

  3 tbsp ketchup

  1 tsp dried basil

  2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

  3/4 tsp salt

  1/2 tsp garlic powder

  1/2 tsp seasoning salt

  1/2 tsp smoked paprika

  1 tsp coarse black pepper

  1/4 cup sour cream

Topping Suggestions:

Shredded cheese

Chives

Crispy bacon

Extra pickles

DIRECTIONS 

1. In a large pot, cook the ground beef and chopped bacon over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and set the meat aside.

2. In the same pot, melt 2 tbsp of the butter. Add onion, carrot, celery, jalapeño, and bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, potatoes, and the cooked beef mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

4. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth and slightly thickened.

5. Stir the milk mixture into the soup and bring back to a gentle boil for 2 minutes to thicken.

6. Reduce heat to low and stir in the Velveeta, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire, basil, parsley, diced pickles, pickle juice, garlic powder, seasoning salt, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the cheese is completely melted.

7. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.