Cheeseburger soup

prep time:: 30 min
total time:: 1 hr

Makes 2 1/4 quarts

Great hearty soup for a cold winter day.

ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef
3/4 c chopped onion
3/4 c. shredded carrots
3/4 c chopped celery
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
4 TBS butter or margarine, divided
3 c. chicken broth
4 c. diced peeled potatoes (1 3/4 lbs)
1/4 c all purpose flour
8 ounces process American cheese cubed, (2 cups) Velveeta
1 1/2 c milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 to 1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 c sour cream

directions

In a 3 quart saucepan, b rown beef, drain and set aside.In the same saucepan, saute onion,celery,carrots,basil, and parsley in 1 TBS butter until vegatables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes, and beef; bring to a boil Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cookand stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to 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; blend in sour cream.