1. Cook the Ground Beef: The First Layer of Flavor

1. Heat Pot: In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the ground beef.
2. Brown Beef: Cook over medium-high heat, crumbling the beef with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
3. Drain Grease: Once the beef is browned, carefully drain off any excess grease from the pot.
4. Set Aside: Remove the cooked ground beef from the pot and set it aside.

2. Sauté the Vegetables: Building the Aromatic Base

1. Melt Butter: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pot over medium heat.
2. Add Vegetables and Herbs: Add the diced carrots, celery, onions, dried basil, and dried parsley to the pot.
3. Sauté: Stir well and sauté the vegetables for about 10 minutes, or until they are tender.

3. Combine Beef, Potatoes, and Broth: Creating the Soup Base

1. Return Beef: Add the cooked ground beef back to the pot with the sautéed vegetables.
2. Add Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot.
3. Pour in Broth: Pour the chicken broth over the beef, vegetables, and potatoes.
4. Bring to Boil: Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
5. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

4. Make the Roux: Thickening the Soup

1. Melt Butter: In a separate small pan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat.
2. Add Flour: Add the flour to the melted butter.
3. Whisk: Whisk constantly for about 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture (roux) is smooth and starts to bubble.
4. Incorporate Roux: Gradually whisk the roux into the simmering soup until it’s fully incorporated and the soup begins to thicken.
5. Boil: Bring the soup to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Add Cheese and Milk: Creating Creamy, Cheesy Goodness

1. Reduce Heat: Reduce the heat to low.
2. Stir in Cheese: Stir in the cubed Velveeta cheese and the whole milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
3. Season: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.

6. Finish with Sour Cream: Adding Tangy Richness

1. Remove from Heat: Remove the pot from the heat.
2. Stir in Sour Cream: Stir in the sour cream until it’s well combined and the soup is smooth and creamy.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Garnishing and Savoring

1. Garnish (Optional): Top the Easy Cheeseburger Soup with your favorite toppings, such as onion rings, chopped green onions, and crumbled bacon.
2. Serve Hot: Serve the soup immediately while it’s hot and enjoy!