Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

It was time to make soup with temperatures dropping to -20 again last night.  And what better than to combine all your favorite comfort foods in a steamy bowl of soup that warms your body and soul.

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1/4 cup onion, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup carrots, peeled and small diced

2 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and small diced

1 tbsp celery flakes

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 tbsp butter

1/3 cup flour

8 oz Colby cheese, grated

4 slices of bacon, diced, cooked and drained

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Lightly brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Make sure as much grease as possible is drained off. In a large pot or crock pot, melt butter and stir in flour to make a paste. Gradually mix in chicken broth and milk. Add in ground beef, carrots, potatoes and celery flakes. Cook until the vegetables are soft and then add in the cream. bacon and shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and freshly ground pepper as needed.