Cheeseburger Soup

With the weather in Iowa slowing cooling down and the leaves on the trees starting to fall, it's putting me in the mood for all things fall. With that, comes soup. There's nothing better on a cool autumn day than to come home, put on your comfy clothes, kick back, and enjoy a nice bowl of homemade soup. Ahhhh... I can smell it already! It's SOUP SEASON!

Cheeseburger soup is another favorite in our house. My daughter specifically requested that we have this soup for Christmas dinner! She proceeded to tell me how much it makes her think of cold winter nights, family, cozy evenings together, and Christmas time. Wow. All those emotions and memories being evoked from a bowl of soup. It must be pretty good then!

One of the great things I really like about this soup, besides the fact that it's delicious, is that it's supper easy! If you're looking to cut down prep-time before dinner, many (pretty much all) of the ingredients can be prepared the night before making meal time a synch!

To begin, you will need 3 cups of chicken broth in a small stock pot. I prefer to make my own broth by using chicken bouillon verses purchasing canned broth. I personally feel that by using chicken bouillon you get more flavor AND it's much cheaper and cost effective over the long run. I don't recall ever buying chicken broth- I have always made it using bouillon.

Cubed potatoes, chopped onions & carrots in broth.

In the chicken broth, you will add 4 cups of peeled and cubed potatoes (bite size). Add chopped onions and carrots. **The recipe calls for chopped celery, but I choose to omit this ingredient** (these ingredients could easily be prepared in advance)

Bring the broth/veggies to a boil, cooking until the vegetables are tender and the potatoes are easily poked with a fork. Next, brown 1 pound of ground beef. Drain off the fat. (Ground beef can also be prepared in advance)

Brown ground beef.

Cubing cheese is a great job for little ones!

While the beef is browning, cube 8 oz. of Velveeta cheese. This is a great job for little helpers in the kitchen!! (Again, cheese can be prepared the night before!)

Add 1 cup sour cream.

Once the potatoes and vegetables are tender, add the ground beef, cheese, and 1 cup of sour cream to the mix. Simmer and stir until heated through and the cheese is completely melted.
Salt & pepper to taste.


That's it! Super simple and fast! To top it off, add some crumbled bacon if you wish. Enjoy! Yuuuummmmm...

Cheeseburger soup! Crumbled bacon adds extra flavor!

Cheeseburger Soup:

3 cups chicken broth

4 cups peeled & cubed potatoes

1/2 of a small onion, chopped

Chopped carrots - to desired taste (I added one medium carrot)

Chopped celery- to desired taste 

1 pound ground beef- brown and drain

8 oz. Velvet cheese- cubed

1 cup sour cream

Salt & pepper to taste 

Crumbled bacon- optional 

Boil the cubed potatoes and vegetables in the chicken broth until the vegetables are tender and the potatoes are easily poked with a fork. Brown ground beef, drain. Cube 8 oz. of cheese. Once the vegetables and potatoes are ready, add the meat, cheese, and 1 cup sour cream. Simmer until heated through and the cheese is completely melted. Add crumbled bacon for additional flavor! Enjoy :)