Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

A longtime family favorite, the kids don't even notice all of the vegetables tucked into this delicious soup. The bacon, hamburger, cheese, and sour cream flavors are perfect! This hearty soup is a meal in itself--great for company or a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef, browned
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cups diced celery
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 2 teaspoons parsley
• 1/2 c. butter (1 stick), divided
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 8 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 12 strips bacon, pre-cooked and diced
• Additional sour cream, chives, bacon, for garnish

Saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 2 tablespoons butter until tender, about 10 minutes.

Add broth, potatoes, and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Melt remaining 6 Tablespoons of butter. Add flour, cook and stir for 1-2 minutes, until bubbly. Whisk into soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

Add cheese, milk, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat; fold in sour cream and bacon.

Ladle into bowls; garnish as desired with Chives, Sour Cream, and additional Bacon.