Description
Hearty potato and hamburger soup promises comfort in every spoonful. Midwestern kitchens inspire this easy one-pot meal that nourishes and satisfies home cooks with simple, robust ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 2 cups (473 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup (15 g) chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, draining excess fat and setting aside.
- Aromatic Foundation: Using the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Potato and Seasoning Infusion: Add cubed potatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in broth and bring to a vigorous boil.
- Potato Tenderization: Reduce heat and simmer, allowing potatoes to soften completely, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Creamy Transformation: Whisk flour with milk to create a smooth thickening agent, then incorporate into the simmering soup while stirring continuously.
- Dairy Enrichment: Pour in remaining milk and heavy cream, blending to achieve a velvety, luxurious consistency.
- Cheese Integration: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and seamlessly incorporated.
- Final Warming: Return ground beef to the soup, allowing it to heat through and meld with the creamy base for 4-5 minutes.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve immediately with crusty bread or crackers.
Notes
- Manage Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is evenly browned without burning, breaking it into small crumbles for consistent texture and optimal flavor absorption.
- Potato Precision: Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Cream Control: Gradually add milk and cream while stirring continuously to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, silky soup consistency without curdling.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove soup from direct heat when adding cheese, stirring gently to create a creamy, well-integrated texture without causing cheese to become grainy or stringy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg