Cheeseburger Soup

I love making this soup for company during the fall and winter months.  I made this for Charlie's family last weekend with homemade bread and pecan pie.  Yumm-O! (As of course Rachel Ray would say =) )

I always double this recipe, but here is the original:

Cheeseburger Soup

1/2 lb ground beef
3/4 C chopped onion
3/4 C shredded carrots
3/4 C chopped celery
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp parsley flakes
4 Tblsp butter, divided
3 C chicken broth
4 C diced and peeled potatoes
1/4 C flour
8 oz American Cheese
1 1/2 C milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 C sour cream

Brown beef and drain. Set aside. In large sauce pan saute onion, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley in 2 Tblsp butter...about 10 min.  Add broth, potatoes and beef, bring to boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Meanwhile in a small skillet melt remaining butter, add flour.  Cook and stir about 3 to 5 minutes.  Add to soup, bring to boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Reduce heat to low.  Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper.  Cook and stir until cheese melts.  Remove from heat and add sour cream.