Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 pound processed reduced-fat American cheese, cubed
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Easy Breadsticks (optional)

Preparation

1. Cook ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat about 3 minutes, stirring until meat crumbles. Add onion and next 4 ingredients, and sauté 4 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Drain well. Return beef mixture to Dutch oven.
2. Stir in chicken broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
3. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Gradually stir in flour, and cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until flour is lightly browned. Whisk flour mixture into simmering beef mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until thickened.
4. Whisk in cheese and next 3 ingredients just until cheese melts. Serve with Easy Breadsticks, if desired.