01 -
Okay, first things first! Grab your big Dutch oven or heavy pot and get it hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and let it brown beautifully, until there's no pink left. You want those nice, caramelized bits; that's flavor, my friend! Once it’s cooked through, drain all that excess fat. Seriously, get rid of it. I usually scoop it out into a heat-safe bowl, then wipe the pot with a paper towel. This is where I learned my lesson about greasy soup, so don't be like past me! You want a savory Loaded Cheeseburger Soup, not a greasy one.
02 -
Reduce the heat to medium. Add a tablespoon of butter to the pot, then toss in your chopped yellow onion. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, until it's soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You'll smell that sweet oniony goodness starting to fill your kitchen – that's the signal! Next, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant. Don't let it burn, hon, burnt garlic is a sad, bitter flavor. This step lays the groundwork for a truly flavorful Loaded Cheeseburger Soup.
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Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions and garlic. Stir it constantly for about 1-2 minutes, letting it cook out that raw flour taste. This is your roux, the thickening magic! Slowly, and I mean *slowly*, whisk in the chicken broth, making sure there are no lumps. Then, pour in the milk. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often, until it starts to thicken slightly. It's a bit of an arm workout, but so worth it for a smooth, creamy Loaded Cheeseburger Soup!
04 -
Once your base is looking good, add the diced potatoes to the pot. Stir in your ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Give it a good stir to combine all those amazing flavors. Bring the soup back to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. This is where the soup really starts to smell like a cozy meal. You'll see the potatoes softening, absorbing all that delicious broth. Remember to check on them; nobody wants hard potato chunks in their Loaded Cheeseburger Soup.
05 -
Now for the best part! Uncover the pot and stir in your cream cheese until it's completely melted and smooth. Then, gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until each batch is fully melted before adding more. Keep the heat low during this process; you don't want the cheese to seize up or separate. Taste and adjust your seasonings here – more salt? More pepper? This is *your* Loaded Cheeseburger Soup, make it sing!
06 -
Stir the browned ground beef back into the soup. Ladle your hot, creamy Loaded Cheeseburger Soup into bowls. Now for the fun part: toppings! Go wild with crispy bacon bits, fresh parsley, diced tomatoes, and even a few diced pickles if you're feeling adventurous (and you should!). The aroma at this point is just incredible – savory, cheesy, and utterly comforting. Enjoy every single spoonful!