Description
Hearty potato and hamburger soup delivers comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings. Midwest home cooks will appreciate this simple, satisfying blend of ground beef, potatoes, and rich broth you can savor with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 3 cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown hamburger in a large pot, crumbling thoroughly until completely cooked. Drain excess fat and set meat aside.
- Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence. Dust flour over the mixture, stirring to create a smooth roux that will thicken the soup’s base.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth and milk into the pot, whisking continuously to eliminate potential lumps. Add diced potatoes and allow them to simmer gently until soft and tender.
- Flavor Fusion: Return hamburger to the pot, stirring to distribute evenly. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs, creating a robust and harmonious flavor profile. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow ingredients to marry and develop depth.
- Finishing Touch: Top with shredded cheese and optional fresh chives. Serve hot, presenting a creamy, hearty soup that promises comfort and satisfaction.
Notes
- Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) to reduce excessive grease while maintaining rich flavor.
- Potato Precision: Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Thickening Technique: Whisk flour slowly and thoroughly to prevent clumping, creating a smooth base that enhances soup’s creamy consistency.
- Temperature Control: Simmer soup gently to prevent milk from scorching and maintain a velvety, rich texture without breaking or separating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg