Cheeseburger Soup

**First of all, I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! to my wonderful Mom!  Jordan, Emily & I wish we could be there and celebrate with you!  I love you, Mama!**

I don't know about you, but the show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" really depresses me.  I mean, why can't I live near some of these places with the ultra unique, fresh, and amazingly delicious food?!  Sigh...

I promise there's a lot of hamburger meat in there!  It just sinks to the bottom.

One particular episode featured a place called "Grovers" in New York who served delicious looking cheeseburger soup.  Thankfully, another blogger took it upon herself to try and copy the recipe and post it online.  Jordan & I had this for supper tonight and it was very good!  Also, it was easy to make which is always a plus.  It tasted just like a cheeseburger, especially considering the toppings that you stir into your bowl with the soup.  Don't be weirded out by adding lettuce to your hot soup - it's delicious and really gives you the "cheeseburger" experience!  :)



Cheeseburger Soup
Source: Have Pan, Will Cook!

2 lb ground beef
Hamburger seasoning or salt/pepper
1 large onion, diced
1 Tb butter
1 box (32 oz) Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
3/4 of a 2 lb log (so, 1.5 lb) of 2% Velveeta Cheese
1.5 pint (3 cups) Half & Half
1 Tb flour
1 Tb cold water (may take a bit more)
Diced tomatoes
Shredded lettuce
Diced dill pickles

In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray, brown the ground beef. Season with your choice of hamburger seasonings—I just used salt & pepper. Drain and set aside.
In a large soup pot, add 1 Tb butter, and diced onion. Allow the onion to sweat over medium heat. When the onions become translucent, you are ready to continue.
Add the chicken broth, the diced Velveeta and the half & half. Allow the Velveeta to melt into the mixture.
In a small bowl or ramekin, mix the flour and water to make a slurry. You may need a bit more of water–just add enough to make a smooth mixture, somewhat thin, but not watery. Once mixed well, add to the cheesy mixture. Stir to combine, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly (the cheese likes to stick - try not to let it, or it will brown on the bottom of the pot).
Add the ground beef to the soup pot, turn down to medium low heat.
Stir to combine and turn to low heat until ready to eat.
Ladle into bowls and add toppings into the bowls-shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and diced dill pickles.  Stir and enjoy!