Just last weekend, Mrs. C and I stopped at a small country cafe for lunch and they had this soup ... it's actually more of a mael in itself than just soup, but it is outstanding
Called Cheeseburger Soup (Chesseburgers, here, are a sandwich made for ground beef or what we call hamburger, I believe ya'll call it mince)
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth (you can substitute beef broth, but not water)
4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds) (thickly cut... maybe an inch)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta)
1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper (we like more)
1/4 cup sour cream
Directions
In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute the onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the 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; cook and 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. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/4 quarts).
You can hear your arteries clogging up... but well worth it!