Crockpot Creamy Potato & Hamburger Soup:
Ingredients:
– 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
– 6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups chicken broth
– 1 cup diced carrots (optional)
– 1 cup diced celery (optional)
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
– 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (for topping, optional)
– Chopped green onions or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Brown the Meat: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned. Drain any excess grease and set the meat aside.
2. Combine in Crockpot: In a 6-quart slow cooker, mix together the diced potatoes, cooked ground beef, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
4. Incorporate Cream Cheese: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, add the softened cream cheese and stir well to ensure it melts into the soup.
5. Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half to enhance the creaminess. Allow the mixture to heat through for an additional 15-20 minutes.
6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese, garnishing with green onions or parsley if desired.
This creamy soup is an excellent accompaniment to crusty bread or a side of biscuits, making it ideal for chilly days.
