Cheeseburger Chowder - it's that good!

For my birthday, I thought it would be fun to make Cheeseburger Chowder - and what would be better to go with it than fries?! So that is what I did... and it was a hit!

Ingredients
1 lb. ground chuck
3/4 cup chopped onion
4 Tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced carrots
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley (if you have it - I didn't and it was still great!)
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled & diced potatoes
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
2 cups cubed process American Cheese* (Velveeta) see note
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Garnish
Chopped tomato
Chopped dill pickle

Serve with one or more
Salty fries
Tortilla chips
Saltines

Brown ground chuck, drain and set aside. In same pan, saute onion in 1 Tbsp of butter until tender. Add garlic, carrots, basil and parsley (if using.) Saute for about 3 minutes. Add broth, beef and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are very tender. Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a small skillet. Add flour and cook, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add in evaporated milk, stirring constantly for 6 to 8 minutes. Gradually stir the sauce into the soup. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Continue to stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream - do this just before serving. (If you make the soup ahead, hold off on adding the sour cream until just before serving.) Garnish each serving with chopped tomatoes and chopped dill pickles - or set out in bowls for a make-your-own soup station. Serve with salty fries, tortilla chips or saltine crackers. Yum!

Note: I compared several recipes before deciding on this one. At least one of them called for American Cheese from the deli - not the prepacked stuff. I should have read this recipe before going to the store, because as you can see, it calls for American Process (meaning a box of Velveeta) cheese. I thought this recipe called for the kind from the deli, so I spent a bit more money and 2 tired hands later, had some great soup. The next time I make it, I am going to try it with the box of Velveeta and see how it turns out. Just so you know, the real American from the deli was SUPERB!