California Cheddar Soup

Ingredients

3 (10 ounce) packages frozen California Blend Veggies
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
6 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 1/2 pounds processed cheese, cubed (Velveeta)
1 pinch ground white pepper

Directions

In a large pot, over medium heat, simmer the veggies in the broth for 15 minutes. In a separate skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add the onions and saute for 5 minutes, or to desired tenderness.

Add the flour to the onions and stir well, forming a pasty substance. Gradually add the milk and stir until thick. Add this mixture to the broccoli mixture in the pot and stir well. Then add the cheese, stirring until melted. Finally, add the pepper.

Note~Be careful not to let the soup boil, or the cheese will break down.

**I got this recipe when I went on a weekend retreat to Miracle Camp. It was so tasty that several of us asked for the recipe.**

Stuffed Green Pepper Soup

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Beef
1 green pepper chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 29oz. diced tomatoes
1 29 oz. tomato sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 14oz. cans chicken broth
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp.sage
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cooked minute rice

Directions

In a large stockpot, brown beef and then drain fat. Add the peppers and onion and cook until transparent. Make sure not to brown onion. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until green pepper is tender. Add rice and enjoy.

Thoughts~My mom got this recipe from her friend Maria, and I am so glad she did. Delicious!

Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta)
1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

In a 3-quart saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onions, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour, cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a 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; blend in sour cream.

Yields 8 servings

**Thoughts~Delicious! Even my son agrees. :-)**

**This recipe comes from the Taste of Home Ground Beef cookbook magazine from 2011.**

Cheddar-Ham Chowder

Ingredients

2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup celery, sliced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
8-ounce package shredded Cheddar cheese
15-ounce can corn, drained
1-1/2 cups cooked ham, cubed

Directions

In a saucepan, bring potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, water, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat; set aside. Melt butter in another saucepan over low heat; blend in flour. Pour in milk; cook and stir until thickened. Sprinkle in cheese and stir until melted; stir into potato mixture. Return to low heat; add corn and ham. Cook until heated through.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

**This recipe comes from Gooseberry Patch's Quick & Easy 2 cookbook.**

**Thoughts~Well, this recipe was definitely "quick and easy" just like the title of the cookbook said. It was also tasty as all get out! Give it a try.**

Don't Watch Me Minestrone

Ingredients

1 lb. stew meat, cubed
6 cups water
28-ounce can chopped tomatoes, undrained
2 cubes beef bouillon
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons dried vegetable flakes
2 cups cabbage, finely sliced
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
16-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a slow cooker, combined meat, water, tomatoes, bouillon, onion, vegetable flakes and cabbage. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or until the meat is tender. Add zucchini, beans and macaroni. Cook on high for 30 to 40 minutes or until vegetables and noodles are tender. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled over individual servings.

Makes 8 servings

**This recipe comes out of Gooseberry Patch's Recipes For Comfort cookbook.**

Cauliflower-Cheese Soup

Ingredients

1 cauliflower head, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup onion, diced
6-1/2 cups water, divided
8-ounce package cream cheese
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 lbs. Cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In large saucepan, simmer vegetables in 6 cups water until tender; drain. Add cream cheese. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in remaining water, then add to saucepan. Blend in Cheddar cheese. Add milk, parsley, salt and pepper. Heat until ready to serve.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

**This recipe comes out of Gooseberry Patch's Recipes For Comfort cookbook.**

Beefy Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

1/2 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 10-3/4 ounce cans cream of mushroom soup
1-1/3 cup milk
1-1/3 cup water
1 carrot, shredded
1/4 cup quick-cooking barley, uncooked
1/4 cup macaroni, uncooked
1/4 cup long grain rice, uncooked
8-ounce package mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a skillet, brown beef, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Drain excess grease and set aside. In a large saucepan, combine soup, milk and water; bring to a boil. Add carrot, barley, macaroni and rice. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until barley, macaroni and rice are tender. Add beef mixture, mushrooms and cheese; simmer for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Makes 4 servings

**This recipe comes out of Gooseberry Patch's Recipes For Comfort cookbook.**

Potato Soup

• 2 large cans chunky potato soup
• 1 envelope Uncle Ben's Wild Rice--microwaveable pouch
• 4 cups half and half
• 1 can crumbled bacon bits
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I use the Velveeta shredded cheese)

Microwave the rice and then dump everything together and heat. Serve when warm. You can top with sliced green onions if you life.

**Thoughts~I love this recipe! It uses already available stuff, but comes out tasting like I did some work. The family loved this at Meg's birthday party. So easy and so yummy!**