Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

It was such a beautiful fall day in Minnesota that as much as we wanted to grill tonight, we decided to hold true to our Soup Sundays.   So this week's soup is inspired by our favorite food from the grill - Burgers.  I was a bit skeptical, but this soup tastes just like biting into a delicious cheeseburger!  Yes, those are pickles.  If you are going to have a cheeseburger, you have to have pickles.  I personally think they make the soup by helping to cut some of the richness of the cheese.  Enjoy!

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

   

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup                    

1 lb ground beef

1 cup onions, diced

1 cup carrots, shredded

2 cups potatoes, cubed

1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

8 oz cream cheese, cubed

4 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup flour

1 cup milk

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp salt

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp pepper

Sliced Dill Pickles

Begin by browning the hamburger and drain if necessary. Finely chop a medium onion and saute over medium heat with butter in a large stock pot. Peel and cut two medium potatoes into half inch cubes. Coarsely grate two medium carrots. Once the onion has turned translucent and begins to brown, add chicken broth, ground beef, potatoes, carrots, bacon, cream cheese, garlic, and all spices to pot. Simmer on medium heat for an hour and a half, or until the potatoes become soft. Add milk and whisk in flour. Then slowly stir in the cheese. Continue to heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with sliced dill pickles as garnish.