Description
Hearty Midwestern Potato & Hamburger Soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending rich ground beef with silky potato goodness. Warm spices and tender vegetables create a satisfying meal that will keep hunger at bay through winter’s coldest days.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) chicken or beef broth
Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fire up a spacious cooking vessel and sear the ground beef over moderate heat until perfectly browned. Eliminate excess fat, transferring the meat to a temporary holding area.
- Without cleaning the pot, melt butter and introduce diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate cubed potatoes into the pot along with smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in broth, escalating the temperature to achieve a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat, allowing the mixture to gently simmer. Tenderly cook potatoes until they reach a soft, yielding consistency, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking flour with a portion of milk in a separate vessel. Pour this silky mixture into the simmering soup, stirring continuously.
- Introduce remaining milk and heavy cream, blending thoroughly to create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated into the soup’s landscape.
- Reintroduce the reserved ground beef, allowing it to warm through and meld with the creamy base for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions or parsley for a vibrant finish.
- Serve immediately alongside crusty bread or crisp crackers for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier version.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium beef broth and reducing added salt, perfect for heart-conscious individuals.
- Enhance dairy-free adaptations by substituting milk and cream with unsweetened almond or oat milk, maintaining creamy texture while accommodating lactose-intolerant diets.
- Boost vegetable content by adding chopped carrots or celery during the onion sautéing stage, increasing nutritional value and creating more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 497
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg