Cheeseburger Soup

Last weekend, Monkey and I spent the entire time in the house. JC had to work, it was cold and dreary, so we just played inside and never even stepped foot outside. I had the Food Network on as background sound but one of my favorite shows caught my eye. It was 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'. I’m pretty sure it was an old episode and I don’t even know what city the host, Guy Fiera, was in. But one of the recipes that was featured really intrigued me. It was cheeseburger soup.

Of course, I’ve had cheeseburger soup before and it’s fine, but the woman in this restaurant used an ingredient that I would’ve never considered using in soup and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Curious as to what that ingredient was? Lettuce. Can you imagine?! Lettuce in a soup? No way, it can’t be good. I picture soggy lettuce and who likes that? Yet, Guy and every other person in that restaurant raved about it. So yesterday I decided to make it.

It really did taste like a cheeseburger! And the lettuce added a light sweet crispness that I didn’t expect. It was seriously delicious and I would love to know what the restaurant was called and where it is, because if I’m ever in that town, I’d like to try out the original and see if mine was anywhere close to hers.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• Steak seasoning
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 32 oz of chicken broth
• 1 lb Velveeta cheese
• 1 can cheese soup
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 medium tomatoes, diced
• ½ head of lettuce, shredded

What You Do:

In a skillet over medium heat, season the beef and brown. Drain and set aside.

In a large soup pot, add butter and sauté the onions for a few minutes. Add the chicken broth, cheese soup, Velveeta and heavy whipping cream.

After the cheese is melted, add the beef. Season with salt and pepper and turn to medium low heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce, turn heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

This is a hearty enough soup to serve as is, but I can also imagine serving with garlic toast. I highly recommend it!