Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon , chopped
• 2 medium carrots , peeled and diced
• 2 medium celery , diced
• 1 small onion , diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 large russet potatoes , peeled and diced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 0.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese , plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain, discard grease, and set aside.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, place bacon in a 3-quart saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove crisped bacon with a slotted spoon and set on paper towels to drain. Leave bacon grease in the saucepan.

4. 4

   Sauté carrots, celery, and onion in the bacon grease until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes, and browned ground beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, wipe out the skillet you previously cooked the beef in. Melt butter in the skillet and whisk in flour; cook, stirring frequently, until bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully whisk milk into flour-butter mixture until well combined and very smooth.

6. 6

   Pour milk mixture into the soup, whisking to combine; bring to a boil and simmer for about 2 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Season with basil, parsley, salt, and pepper.

7. 7

   Remove from heat. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with bacon and additional shredded Cheddar cheese.