Cheeseburger Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1-3/4 pounds (about 4 cups) cubed peeled potatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 package (16 ounces) Velveeta process cheese, cubed
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook and crumble beef until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In same saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley until tender, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, beef and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir until bubbly, 3-5 minutes. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook until cheese melts. Remove from heat; blend in sour cream. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/4 quarts).

Test Kitchen Tips

Save on prep time by using frozen cubed hash brown potatoes in place of fresh.

To prevent soup from curdling, remove from the heat before adding sour cream.

North Woods Bean Soup

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 cup baby carrots, halved
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 7 ounces turkey kielbasa, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (15.8-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (6-ounce) bag fresh baby spinach leaves

• How to Make It

  Step 1

  Heat a large saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onion, garlic, and kielbasa; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium; cook 5 minutes. Add the broth, Italian seasoning, pepper, and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
  Step 2

  Place 2 cups of the soup in a food processor or blender, and process until smooth. Return the pureed mixture to pan. Simmer an additional 5 minutes. Remove soup from heat. Add the spinach, stirring until spinach wilts.